Sobrato High Participates in State Mock Trial Finals
FOR THE FIRST TIME, Ann Sobrato
High School participated in the 35th
Annual California Mock Trial Finals
held in March in Sacramento.
This year 8,000 California
students participated, with only
700 going to the Sacramento
Finals. Students had to study a
case and prepare strategies and
arguments. Students gained an
understanding of the criminal justice
system while learning analytical and
communication skills.
The Mock Trial team consisted of 18 students: 8 attorneys,
8 witnesses, a bailiff and a clerk. The Sobrato advisors included
Mock Trial coach, Mr. Barnes, with assistance from Matt
Parella, Jeff Nunes and Marcus Humphrey. The student team
consisted of Seniors Natalie Kuwatani, Jacob Nunes, Isabella
Cova, Erica Kelley, Adrianna Scalzo, Parth Shah, Arthur
Rodriguez, and Brian Freimuth; Juniors Raya Kavosh, Nicholas
Dinato, and Stephen Curry; Sophomores Maria Morris, Kaley
Raczyla, and Veronica Mishriki; and Freshmen Zaria Kelley,
Danielle Dokter, and Grace Baker.
The Sobrato High School team participated in four rounds,
winning one and dropping three. Sobrato students and
coaches learned from the experience and are preparing for
next season.
Don & Karen Christopher
Latino Family
Fund Youth
Program
First Row (l-r): Liseth Villarreal, Makayla
Ruiz, Omar Macias-Nandino, Michael
Artmore, Amanda Huerta. Second Row
(l-r); Francisca Garcia (counselor), Claudia
Valencia (counselor), Brenda Gonzalez
Marquez, Alexys Echevarria, Lilia Cisneros
(counselor), Annie Tomasello. Third
Row (l-r); Javier Aguirre, Maria Walker
(principal), Ernesto Olivares (YIP Chair),
Rosie Ramon (counselor), Sal Tomasello,
Delia Diaz (LFF Co-chair), Edwin Diaz
(LFF Co-chair).
THE LATINO FAMILY FUND’S signature program, Youth
in Philanthropy and Leadership, received the prestigious
‘Community Values Youth’ award from YMCA’s Project
Cornerstone in March at the Asset Champions Awards
Breakfast held at the Santa Clara Convention Center and was
attended by over 800 guests. The event recognizes individuals
and organizations for their successful work and programs
benefiting youth in their communities.
Project Cornerstone works on behalf of youth in Silicon
Valley and is committed to helping every child feel valued,
respected, and known. Its members are building a community
where all adults support children and youth so they can find
their spark and thrive. Project Cornerstone works with more
than 400 community partners and schools intentionally to
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
help youth develop positive relationships, opportunities, values,
and skills, known collectively as “developmental assets”. The
goal is for those assets to provide the foundation for a healthy
and successful future. Project Cornerstone was founded by the
Youth Alliance in 1999 and is now an initiative of the YMCA of
Silicon Valley.
The Latino Family Fund of Gilroy was founded in 2006 by
several local families with the objective of strengthening the
community by providing resources to Gilroy residents in need,
embracing Latino philanthropy and leadership, and inspiring
youth to give back to their community. The LFF’s program,
Youth in Philanthropy and Leadership, was formally established
three years ago and now serves 50 students at South Valley and
Ascencion Solorsano Middle Schools.
MAY/JUNE 2016
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