Annalicia Anaya
Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year
Recently Mayor Steve Tate presented Annalicia Anaya with a certificate and Chamber CEO John Horner gave her a bouquet of flowers as she was told that she was to be the 2016 Student of the Year .
A senior , after graduation she wants to go to college and study Sociology for a career in non-profit work . She became interested in doing this while involved in the Sobrato Interact Club , a youth service club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill . She serves as the club ’ s area director in charge of all the schools in Morgan Hill , Gilroy and Hollister .
She has also served as the co-president of the Sobrato Random Acts of Kindness Club and has served on the Associated Student Body government as its treasurer for all four years of high school .
Anaya has applied to U . C . Santa Cruz , U . C . Santa Barbara , U . C . San Diego , and recently found out she was accepted at the University of Portland in Oregon .
Jesse Calderon
Gilroy Chamber Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award
Jesse Calderon has been involved in sports , the California Scholarship Federation , student government , Sister Cities Club and Interact Club . He has also participated in leadership camps such as California Association of Directors of Activities and RYLA ( Rotary Youth Leadership Awards ).
Jesse ’ s proudest moment in high school was planning and leading a workshop for the influential leaders of Christopher High School . The purpose of the event was to emphasize the importance of overcoming adversity and accepting others , which was meant to be reflected in the school .
When asked what advice Jesse would give other students interested in leadership and volunteerism , he said , “… It is essential to experience new things and put yourself in positions that may initially seem uncomfortable but will eventually lead to growth as a leader and as a person .”
Brandon Ellemberg
Gilroy Chamber Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award
Brandon Ellemberg has exemplified leadership through volunteerism . He has been actively involved at Christopher High School in sports , student government , academics , entrepreneurialism and club activities . Brandon is the founder and President of a club called , Hearthstone : Heroes of Warcraft .”
When asked who inspires him to be the leader he is , Brandon replied , “ Courageous leaders inspire me . Leaders like Pope Francis , Elon Musk , Jeff Bezos , Malcolm Gladwell , Steve Jobs , Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . and Mahatma Ghandi inspire me to be better , to do good work . When someone has the courage to step out of their comfort zone and use their efforts for impact , it inspires me .”
Moving forward , Brandon wants to get a Bachelors in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration . For