By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District
With the 2025-26 school year complete, it’s a great time to celebrate students who embody the spirit of our schools. These students remind us our future is bright.
Main Street Elementary
Deacon McConville
Spend time with the fifth-grade team and you’ll hear, “Deacon for president.” Spend time with his classmates and you’ll hear, “Be like Deacon.” Few students are admired so deeply by both peers and adults.
Whether on the baseball field, in PE, during math and writing, or working with younger students, Deacon encourages others, works hard and leaves no one behind.
We are proud and grateful for our time with Deacon and look forward to all he will accomplish.
New Brighton Middle School
Liv Rinaldi
Known for her strong work ethic and genuine care for others, Liv contributes both in and out of the classroom. Whether organizing school events, supporting classmates or leading on campus, she brings positivity, maturity and leadership to everything she does.
In addition to her academic success, Liv participates in roller derby, volleyball and basketball, demonstrating dedication and teamwork on and off the court. She also enjoys reading and writing.
Next year, Liv will attend Soquel High School, where she plans to continue participating in sports and leadership activities. We are proud of all she has accomplished at NBMS and know she has a bright future ahead.
Jason Salguera Ramirez
Jason consistently demonstrates responsibility, perseverance and a positive attitude, making him a role model for his peers and a valued member of the school community.
Outside school, Jason enjoys flag football, going to the gym and playing guitar. Through his own initiative, he taught himself guitar by watching YouTube videos, reflecting his commitment to independent learning and personal growth.
Next year, Jason will attend Soquel High School, where he plans to continue pursuing his goals. He hopes to attend Stanford University and become a doctor. We are proud of Jason’s accomplishments and excited to see what he achieves next.
We also recognize this year’s additional eighth-grade valedictorians: Elaina Kravtsov, Current Lewis, Vanessa Maassen and Estella Zappacosta. Through hard work, perseverance and academic excellence, each has made a meaningful impact on the NBMS community. We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to their continued success.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Esmeralda Tran
Last year, as a fourth grader, Esmeralda traveled to Sacramento with the student leadership team to speak at a wellness and education symposium about students’ work analyzing social-emotional data and creating an action plan for the school. Student leaders taught TK-5 students about neurodiversity, brain science and emotional literacy with support from the school counselor.
As a fifth grader, Esmeralda played a key role on the SCG Green Team, leading a native plant awareness campaign and tours through the school’s gardens and outdoor learning spaces to highlight watershed awareness and the benefits of native plants.
“If I could change the world, I would stop war and make our planet peaceful and happy,” Esmeralda said. “I would also end littering and climate change so we can show our planet we can be kind to it.”
Esmeralda regularly contributes thoughtful ideas in leadership, Green Team and the classroom. Her teacher, Ms. Denham, praised her growth and described her as “a gift to have in class.”
At SCG, Esmeralda especially enjoys student leadership, creating projects such as native bee hotels, and promoting native plant awareness in the community.
An avid reader and animal enthusiast, Esmeralda hopes to become a veterinarian or author. Next year at New Brighton, she looks forward to meeting new people. Thank you, Esmeralda, for your leadership and kindness. Go Dolphins!
Soquel Elementary
Pietra Paixao
Pietra hopes to one day attend Harvard University or Stanford University and pursue a career in law.
Ms. Flaniken described Pietra as “a hardworking scholar-athlete” who is “kind, helpful and looks out for others.”
Pietra plays competitive soccer for Santa Cruz United 12U as both a striker and defender and looks forward to participating in track and field at New Brighton Middle School. She also enjoys horseback riding and recently earned first place and her first gold medal in her first jiu-jitsu tournament. Pietra is currently a white belt and draws inspiration from her father, a jiu-jitsu coach.
At Soquel Elementary, Pietra participates in leadership, theater and chorus. She especially enjoys math and pottery and values staying connected to her Brazilian heritage by learning Portuguese and traveling to Brazil.