GILROY
– Dozens of Gilroy High School seniors set to graduate next
month received thousands of dollars to pursue higher education this
week.
GILROY – Dozens of Gilroy High School seniors set to graduate next month received thousands of dollars to pursue higher education this week.
Their families and friends, who gathered in the GHS theater Tuesday night for the annual Senior Awards and Recognition night, applauded and cheered for nearly two hours straight as students were recognized for high achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts and citizenship.
Some students, like Josh Arribere and Catherine Wilson, who have the highest GPAs in the Class of 2004, received thousands of dollars to attend four-year schools. Others, like Lars Mauerman and Stephanie Smith, were awarded tuition dollars for their future service in the military.
Rebecca Perez was one of the night’s big winners, receiving honors from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, GHS Latinas club, Bank of America and her alma mater Glen View Elementary School, among others.
“Right now, I haven’t added it up,” she said after the ceremony.
With a $29,000 scholarship from Stanford University, where she will enroll this fall, and a $1,000 scholarship from County Federal Credit Union, Perez said she has about $39,000 total. The awards will help her direct all her attention to her political science studies, she said, because she won’t have to find a job.
“They’re very important because I would like to focus on my academics,” Perez said. “I am going to be a well-rounded student, but I don’t want to spend too much time working.”
Lisa Glasspool, who is heading to Willamette University, also said she is still adding up the more than $20,000 she received to pursue her studies in music education. While the jazz band musician applied to some scholarships, she said, others came as a surprise, like an award from Brownell Academy Middle School.
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club both handed out several awards, ranging from more than $1,000 to $500.
“I know you’re interested in getting out of high school and into your community, and the best way to do that is to get out there and establish yourself in Rotary,” quipped Rotary President Robert Barham.
Once again, several awards came directly from GHS staff. Assistant Principal Mani Corzo presented Jorge Santiago with his “Más ganas” award – complete with a T-shirt bearing Corzo’s well-known catchphrase, which means to have desire, passion.
“This is not very much money, but remember that little things in life are the ones that stay with you the most,” Corzo said. “This comes from my pocket – I mean, from my heart …”
Journalism teacher Elizabeth Dirks awarded Brittany Drake, editor-in-chief of the GHS’ award-winning Free Press, with a $500 scholarship.
Dirks said Drake showed “excellence in journalism, has a passion for journalism and is going to study journalism.”
Raquel Butler, who lately has been making headlines for her outstanding performance on the track team, was another multiple scholarship winner. Among her numerous awards were a $1,000 Jan Kelley Memorial Scholarship, the gold President’s Education Award, the Governor’s Scholar Award, the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete award, a Gilroy Chamber of Commerce award and a Bank of America award for mathematics.
A total of 25 students were awarded the Excellence Gold Seal of the President’s Education Award Program, meaning they had a GPA of at least 3.5 and scored in the 85th percentile or higher in math or reading section of the SAT.
Also, a record 34 students already have achieved the status of lifetime member in the California Scholarship Federation, according to math teacher Ann Zuhr, the club’s advisor. CSF members must meet GPA requirements and perform community service. Lifetime members receive gold cords to wear over their graduation gowns.
GHS seniors will take their final exams next week before the traditional overnight road trip to Disneyland on June 9 and 10.
They’ll have just one day to rest up before graduation June 11, followed by Grad Nite, an all-night sober graduation party. The graduation ceremony starts at 6 p.m. in the GHS stadium.
Lori Stuenkel covers education for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 842-6400 ext. 277 or ls*******@************ch.com.
