BIRTHS
Blake Joseph Abercrombie
Blake Joseph Abercrombie was born March 15 at Saint Louise
Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Wendy and Shon Abercrombie
of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces.
HONORS
Gilroy High School Honors Spiritleaders
The Gilroy High School Spiritleaders were honored at an annual awards banquet April 1 in the GHS main gymnasium. Coaches Shirley Nunes and Donya Maiorino chose spiritleaders from each squad who best exemplified four unique areas. The following awards were presented:
– “Most Spirited” – Elissa Torres (freshman), Kelly Hess (junior varsity) and Jessica Martinez (varsity).
– “Most Improved” – Alicia Wessels (freshman), Morgan Kidd (junior varsity) and Adriana Copado (varsity).
– “Best All-Around” – Ashley Fellows (freshman), Nora Hunt (junior varsity) and Alexis Dalke (varsity).
– “Coaches Award” – Shanna Jacobs (freshman), Marisa Juarez (junior varsity) and Alyssa Radtke (varsity).
The Spiritleader members of all three squads had the difficult task of selecting one of their own to receive the special honor of “Most Inspirational Spiritleader.” The award went to the varsity squad’s Tami Spangler.
The Booster Club’s Scholarship Committee awarded certificates to five graduating Spiritleader seniors: Jennifer Meazell, TerriLe Murphy, Nichole Parker, Tami Spangler and Jessica Stone. Scholarship awards totaled $2,300.
Special honors were given to four of this year’s varsity squad members: TerriLe Murphy, Nichole Parker, Tami Spangler and Jessica Stone. These young ladies joined an exclusive group of four-year Spiritleaders – meaning they cheered all four years for GHS. Booster Club President Diane Stone presented each with a plaque honoring their commitment and achievement.
The Booster Club also honored coaches Nunes and Maiorino with gifts and bouquets of roses. Several Booster Club parents and officers were honored for their outstanding service.
Amy Little
Amy Little, a former Gilroy resident, recently received the award for outstanding marketing student 2006 at San Jose State University. She was also a finalist for outstanding business student based on academic performance, work history and voluntary service. She is currently employed as a strategic accounts manager at Maxim Integrated Products in Sunnyvale. Her parents, Glenn Suyeyasu and Peggy Burris, are past presidents of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which Amy volunteered for since she was 6. Amy is the daughter of Dan Little, the granddaughter of the late Jack Little, and the granddaughter of Joyce Little, manager of the Gilroy Elks Club.
Jennifer Grace Acojedo
Cadet Jennifer Grace Acojedo, daughter of Teddy Acojedo of Gilroy and Thelma Lamar of San Jose, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the U.S. Military Academy. To earn this honor, a cadet must maintain a 3.0 average in all courses. Acojedo graduated from William C. Overfelt High School in 2005. She plans to graduate from West Point in 2009 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Donny C. Dequine Jr.
Donny C. Dequine Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Dequine of Morgan Hill, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Azusa Pacific University. To earn this honor, a student must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Dequine Jr. is a psychology major and a graduate of Valley Christian High School.
Nicholas J. Fong
Nicholas J. Fong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fong of Gilroy, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Azusa Pacific University. To earn this honor, a student must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Fong is an art major and a graduate of Poiema School.
Justin G. Guevara
Army National Guard Pvt. Justin G. Guevara, son of Kelly Guevara and Sandra Rivas of Hollister, has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
The private is a 2003 graduate of San Andreas High School in Hollister.
Molly J. Martindill
Molly J. Martindill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Martindill of Morgan Hill, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Azusa Pacific University. To earn this honor, a student must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Martindill is a music major and a graduate of Live Oak High School.
Amy Van Gundy
Amy Van Gundy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Van Gundy of Gilroy, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Azusa Pacific University. To earn this honor, a student must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Van Gundy is an English major and a graduate of Gilroy High School.
Thomas Dean Soma
Thomas Dean Soma of Gilroy recently received his residency assignment through the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Resident Matching Program, a program that allows newly graduated physicians to specialize in an area of medicine for three to five years in a specified location. Soma was appointed to the Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, for anesthesiology, and to Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.
MILITARY
Mark and Christine Cuthbert
Mark Cuthbert, husband of former Dispatch guest columnist Christine Tognetti, returned home safely in Chicago March 23 after seven months in Iraq. Mark was the topic of several of Christine’s columns while he was deployed. The couple will change gears this summer as Mark begins business school at either Harvard University or Northwestern University. Christine thanks the community for the support while Mark was away.
Patrick A. Alcisto
Navy Seaman Patrick A. Alcisto, son of Linda M. Turner of Debary, Fla., and Patrick W. Alcisto of Gilroy, and his fellow shipmates assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur made a port visit to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates while on a scheduled deployment as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7. The primary mission of Alcisto’s ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. USS Decatur is capable of operating independently or as part of a strike group. Its flexibility provides presence with a purpose, and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore.
Alcisto is a 2000 graduate of Deltona High School of Deltona, Fla. and joined the Navy in June 2000.
Andrea L. Cooper
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrea L. Cooper, a 1998 graduate of Live Oak High School, and her fellow shipmates are on a scheduled deployment while assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, homeported in Alameda, Calif. During the deployment, Cooper’s unit participated in several training exercises while conducting search and board operations. Morgenthau also made visits to Puerto Vallarta, Guatemala and Panama. Morgenthau is a 378-foot high endurance cutter. The ship’s primary missions include security of life and property, maritime law enforcement and national defense operations throughout the entire Pacific Ocean Basin.
Cooper joined the Coast Guard in October 1998.
Anthony M. Gutierrez
Navy Airman Recruit Anthony M. Gutierrez, a 2005 graduate of Gilroy High School, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Gutierrez completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
Mathew C. Lynch
Navy Seaman Recruit Mathew C. Lynch, son of Carla J. Lunch of Gilroy and Bernie Lynch of Lahaina, Hawaii, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Lynch completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
Lynch is a 2002 graduate of Deer Valley High School of Antioch, Calif.
Jose Z. Lopez
Army Pvt. Jose Z., son of Maria E. Zavala of Hollister, Lopez has graduated from the Utilities Equipment Repairer Advanced Individual Training course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md. The student learned to perform maintenance, test, repair, adjust, and inspect gasoline engine systems, utility equipment and special purpose support systems; including, bottle cleaning/charging stations, air conditioning electrical and vapor systems, refrigeration unit electrical systems, portable heater fuel/electrical systems, and fire extinguisher rechargers and valves.
Daniel A. Schlothauer
Army Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Schlothauer, son of Allan D. Schlothauer of San Juan Bautista and Valerie J. Schlothauer of Aptos, has returned to the Southern European Task Force (Airborne) at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, after being deployed to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the soldier served as a member of Combined Joint Task Force-76 (CJTF-76), an interagency and multinational organization. Mission objectives of the combined joint task force included humanitarian assistance, establishing security, defeating Al-Qaida and Taliban forces, and deterring the re-emergence of terrorism. U.S. soldiers are committed to staying the course in Afghanistan and standing firm with the Afghan people in the war-torn region against forces actively working to prevent the establishment of a stable and secure environment.
The sergeant is a 1998 graduate of North Monterey County High School, Castroville, Calif.
BIRTHS
Blake Joseph Abercrombie
Blake Joseph Abercrombie was born March 15 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Wendy and Shon Abercrombie of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces.
Ryan Joseph Anastasi
Ryan Joseph Anastasi was born March 21 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Melanie and Anthony Anastasi of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 15.6 ounces.
Maria Evelyn Avalos
Maria Evelyn Avalos was born March 21 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Crystal Lopez and Miguel-Angel Avalos of Hollister. She weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces.
Justin Parks Barbaglia
Justin Parks Barbaglia was born March 9 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Amanda Stidham and Brent Barbaglia of Gilroy. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
Robbie Ann Bedolla
Robbie Ann Bedolla was born March 14 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Tracy and Mark Jimenez-Bedolla of Hollister. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces.
Giovanni Castellanos
Giovanni Castellanos was born March 17 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Maritza and Omar Castellanos of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
Kurtis Jamez Matthew DeLeon
Kurtis Jamez Matthew DeLeon was born March 4 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to Michelle DeLeon of Hollister. He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
Alexis Felicitas Echevarria
Alexis Felicitas Echevarria was born March 7 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Janet and Daniel Isaac Echevarria of Hollister. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.
Francesca Rose Falvey
Francesca Rose Falvey was born March 14 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Yvonne and Jim Falvey of Gilroy. She weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces.
Alexia Nyisha Farve
Alexia Nyisha Farve was born March 20 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Susie Mendoza and Michael Farve of Hollister. She weighed 7 pounds.
Sydney Ann Garcia
Sydney Ann Garcia was born March 10 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Bernice Marie and Gerard Arthur Garcia of Gilroy. She weighed 10 pounds, 4 ounces.
Karol Getsenani
Karol Getsenani was born March 22 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Elizabeth and Rogelio Getsenani of Hollister.
Alberto Jesus Garza V
Alberto Jesus Garza V was born March 9 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Selenia and Albert Garza of Gilroy. He weighed 10 pounds.
Lillyanna Priscilla Gonzalez
Lillyanna Priscilla Gonzalez was born March 14 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister. She weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces.
Melissa Grajales
Melissa Grajales was born March 26 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Maria Rojas and Miguel A. Grajales of Hollister. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.
Melissa Elizabeth Gutierrez
Melissa Elizabeth Gutierrez was born March 9 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to Elizabeth Bueno of Hollister. She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
Lindsay Mae Kendall
Lindsay Mae Kendall was born March 6 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Diana Soto and Rodney Kendall of Hollister. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.
Fabian Daniel Lopez
Fabian Daniel Lopez was born March 16 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Jizela and Gilbert Lopez. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces.
Esteban Christian Martinez
Esteban Christian Martinez was born March 14 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Magda Elizabeth Bueno and Esteban Martinez of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces.
Van Jeffrey Maxey
Van Jeffrey Maxey was born March 11 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Stormi and Christopher Maxey of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
Valerie Annette Mendez
Valerie Annette Mendez was born March 17 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Dulce Mora and Mario Mendez of Hollister. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
Wade Dominguez Mountz
Wade Dominguez Mountz was born March 7 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy to parents Pauline and Bradley Mountz of Morgan Hill. He weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces.
Elyon Elijah Pascua
Elyon Elijah Pascua was born March 26 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Nancy Bacnat-Pascua and Ramil Pascua of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
Elizabeth Anne Queen
Elizabeth Anne Queen was born March 17 at Santa Medical Center in San Jose to parents Paul and Marcia Queen of Gilroy. She weighed 9 pounds, 6.25 ounces.
Trinidad J. Ramirez Jr.
Trinidad J. Ramirez Jr. was born March 10 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Maria Esquivel and Trinidad J. Ramirez of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce.
Kimberly Gloria Rendon
Kimberly Gloria Rendon was born March 23 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Claudia Gutierrez and Salvador Rendon of Hollister. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
Eduardo Rodriguez
Eduardo Rodriguez was born March 7 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Yenni Berdeja and Oscar Rodriguez of Gilroy. He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
America Selene Romero
America Selene Romero was born March 21 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Lizette Belis and Manuel Romero of Hollister. She weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.
Cristian Elijah Sanchez
Cristian Elijah Sanchez was born March 24 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Erika and Juan Carlos Sanchez of Hollister. He weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
Alexander Leonard Velasquez
Alexander Leonard Velasquez was born Feb. 14 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to parents Victoria Berlanga and Martin Velasquez of Hollister. He weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce.
