Scotts Valley High School Graduates 2015

By Principal Valerie Bariteau and Assistant Principal Michael Hanson

Scotts Valley High School (SVHS) was founded in 1999 and graduated its first senior class in 2003. SVHS is an accredited high school for grades 9–12 located in the City of Scotts Valley. Enrollment for the academic year 2014–15 is 179 seniors, 204 juniors, 211 sophomores, and 194 freshmen. There are 47 certificated staff members including teachers, administrators, and counselors.

School Honors

Newsweek’s 2014 America’s Top 5 percent High Schools,; In 2013, Scotts Valley High School was honored with the California Distinguished High School; Silver Medal School, US News & World Report, 2013; Honor Roll School, CA Business for Education Excellence Scholar School 2012, 2009, 2007; Signature School Enterprise Award, Grammy Foundation, 2011; Top 5% of Schools, Newsweek Magazine, 2010; Honorable Mention, California Distinguished School, 2009; California League of High Schools, 2009 and has the highest Academic Performance Index (API) scores of all non-charter schools grade 9-12 in Santa Cruz County.

Congratulations To …

Scotts Valley High School Class of 2015
James Merlo, Valedictorian

James Merlo, son of Agnes and Scott Merlo and older brother of Reilly Merlo, has attended Brook Knoll Elementary, SVMS, and SVHS, where he is currently an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate. James has played, coached, and umpired baseball, eventually joining SVHS’s team and becoming the 2014 All SCCAL Utility Player of the Year and a Varsity Captain.

As a committee member of the local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, he has worked with the community to raise over 100,000 dollars for cancer research. James will major in Chemical Engineering with a focus on biochemical processes at Oregon State University Honors College this fall.

Nicholas Heath, Salutatorian

Nick Heath, Salutatorian for the class of 2015, has been known for his academic excellence throughout his education at Baymonte Christian School and Scotts Valley High School.

Nick has managed to balance SVHS’ most rigorous International Baccalaureate courses with the stresses of being a varsity cross country and track athlete. His senior year, Nick served as SVHS’ team captain for both sports, placed 2nd in the Central Coast Section finals for division IV in cross country, and became Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion in the 3200m for the second year in a row with a SVHS record time of 9:24.

Aside from his education and athletics, Nick also earned Eagle Scout rank from Boy Scout Troop 614 after building a firewood shed for the Salvation Army Camp: Redwood Glen. Nick’s success is due in no small part to the support of his parents, Mark and Joanne Heath.

Nick will be majoring in business at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and will run on their NCAA division-1 cross country team this fall.

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