Leaders of the Soquel High School Class of 2013 are getting ready for their next stage in life, and they all have something to say:
Graham Denevan – Valedictorian
I’m looking forward to attending U.C. Berkeley majoring in Political Science and graduating in the class of 2017. At Soquel HS I played in the band, was on the volleyball team and took part in Mock Trial. Allow me to introduce my family; my father and mother Dan and Rene Denevan and my sister Lily. The all helped me get to this point in my life.
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Christina Foster – Valedictorian
I will be going to the University of New Hampshire this fall and majoring in Occupational Therapy.
Soccer has been my sport since I was 4-years-old. I played for the SC Breakers for 7 years. At Soquel HS I played varsity for all 4 years as a starter. I served as president for the ASB and the NHS (National Honor Society) and I love helping people. Awards and scholarships I received include the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Award, and the Soquel HS Leadership Award. My very-supportive parents are Michael and Jill Foster and my brother is Christopher.
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Caleb Gotthardt – Valedictorian
My plan is to attend Cal Poly and major in Liberal Arts and Engineering and to graduate in 2017. I like surfing and music, which explains why I play the Saxophone in the Jazz Band and also play piano and drums. I have a great family and my dad, Richard, is the Pastor of Adult Ministries at Santa Cruz Bible Church, my mom, Kelli is a consultant and I have a younger brother Cade and a sister, Madison.
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Andrew Schmidt – Valedictorian
I’m looking forward to attending Santa Clara University and majoring in biomedical engineering. Some of my activities at Soquel HS were: Co-President of the Key Club (I like participating in volunteer work and fundraisers) and playing baseball and football as a starter for the past two years. I also enjoy music and have been playing the piano for the past nine years. In my free time I like to spend it with my friends and playing sports. My family means a lot to me and without their support I would not have the opportunities I have today.
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Tyler Stewart – Valedictorian
After graduation I plan on attending U.C.S.C. and majoring in Biology. I had a lot of fun at Soquel HS and enjoyed being on the basketball team and playing trumpet in the school’s Jazz and Concert Bands. I want to thank my mom, Michelle Stewart, My dad Jim Stewart (Soquel HS Band Director) and my sister Shannon for all their support.
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Gloria Nava – Valedictorian
I will be going to U.C. Davis but my major is “Undecided” at this time. While at Soquel HS I enjoyed playing soccer but my other favorite pastime was reading. I want to thank my parents, Teresa and Isidru Nava, for their help and faith in me. n
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Cassidy Donaldson – Salutatorian
Next year I will be attending the University of San Diego and plan to major in Business Administration. I would love to thank the teachers who have guided me through the last four years and thank my family for continuously supporting me. I am so proud of all the accomplishments the class of 2013 has achieved.
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Zulieca Rodriguez – Salutatorian
I went to Soquel Elementary School and New Brighton Middle school and I plan to enter U.C.S.C. in the fall of 2014 and major in Neuroscience. My favorite classes at Soquel HS were Advanced Placement Chemistry and U.S. History. In my senior year I became an AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) tutor. I was a Key Club member for my sophomore, junior and senior years. All four years I was on the school basketball team and one of my favorite memories is winning the final game in the SCCAL tournament in 2013 at the new Kaiser Permanente Arena.