Images by Morgan Blaettler, Lori Kent Family and Lauren Mantani Family

Lori’ s husband, Larry Kent, was also raised in Gilroy, only one street down. Larry grew up on Second Street, Lori grew up on Third Street, and now they live together on Fourth Street. Although much has changed since before they left for college, the two look forward to the changes Gilroy will continue to make while enjoying its small-town feel.

Fellow Gilroyan, Lauren Mantani, had similar reasons for returning to Gilroy.“ Before leaving for college, Gilroy was all I knew of a home town,” Lauren recounts. After graduating from Gilroy High in 2004, she started her next chapter at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She found that going to college was enlightening to see people with different backgrounds, but one of the most surprising aspects was that it lacked the diversity she valued in Gilroy.

Lauren didn’ t originally plan to move back to Gilroy.“ It wasn’ t until I was out of college, married, and started to think about starting a family. I began to think about everything that Gilroy offers as a community.”

Since her early years in Gilroy, Lauren has witnessed many changes such as expansion of stores and restaurants, tenth street being developed, more commuter families, and a significant growth in population.“ Still, Gilroy has kept the small town community aspect, even as we continue to grow.” Lauren continues,“ I think that can be attributed to the people here and a lot of the people I grew up with still being here.”

Similar to Lori and Lauren, moving to college has made me realize how much my hometown has to offer. I don ' t know where I ' ll end up after Chapman, but Gilroy has provided me with the foundation and resources to be able to thrive in new environments, and an affinity for the homely smell of garlic.

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