ACADEMICS
Erica Marie Heredia
Erica Marie Heredia, daughter of Jim and Laurie Heredia,
formerly of Gilroy, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in
design and merchandising from Colorado State University in Fort
Collins, Colo.
ACADEMICS
Erica Marie Heredia
Erica Marie Heredia, daughter of Jim and Laurie Heredia, formerly of Gilroy, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in design and merchandising from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.
Ben Amezquita
Ben Amezquita, 2003 graduate of Gilroy High School will be attending California State University Chico in the fall. Amezquita played varsity football for Gilroy High and aspires to be a firefighter. He is the first of eight children – seven boys and one girl – to go to college.
Elisabeth Coddington
Elisabeth Coddington, of Gilroy, has graduated from the University of Phoenix online.
Ronald W.
Johnson, Sr.
Ronald W. Johnson, Sr., of Gilroy, has graeduated from the University of Phoenix online with an MBA.
Kahlila Mae Liverpool
Kahlila Mae Liverpool, a 1998 graduate of Gilroy High School, graduated with honors from California State University, Monterey Bay, on May 22. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Communications and is currently working for the Department of Defense in Monterey as a research analyst.
Jennifer A.
Van Gundy
Jennifer A. Van Gundy of Gilroy made the dean’s list at Azusa Pacific University for the spring 2004 semester. Van Gundy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Van Gundy, is an English major.
Amy A. Van Gundy
Amy A. Van Gundy of Gilroy made the dean’s list at Azusa Pacific University for the spring 2004 semester. Van Gundy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Van Gundy, is an English major.
Donny C. Dequine
Donny C. Dequine of Morgan Hill made the dean’s list at Azusa Pacific University for the spring 2004 semester. Dequine is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Dequine and a graduate of Valley Christian High School. He is majoring in psychology.
Melissa Johnson
Melissa Johnson, a 2004 graduate of Gilroy High School, has joined the freshman class of American University in Washington, D.C.
WEDDING/
ENGAGEMENT
Emilie Guenther
and Justin Anderson
Emilie Guenther and Justin Anderson announce they are engaged to be married in July in Gilroy. The bride is the daughter of Bill and Nancy Guenther of Gilroy and has attended Arizona State University, and the groom is the son of Tim and Sherry Anderson of Phoenix, Ariz.
BIRTHS
Sienna Annette Chapa Granados
Sienna Annette Chapa Granados was born Aug. 10 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Sabrina Granados and Joe Chapa of Gilroy. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
Tyler Michael Morris
Tyler Michael Morris was born to Rebekah and Steven Morris of Gilroy at Saint Louise Regional Hospital on Aug. 4. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce.
Carlos Mathias Michael Quintana
Carlos Mathias Michael Quintana was born to Diana and Carlos Quintana of Gilroy at Saint Louise Regional Hospital on Aug. 4. He weighed 9 pounds 6 ounces.
Alan Isaiah Olvera
Alan Isaiah Olvera was born to Stephanie Aguilar Olvera and Alan Olvera on Aug. 3 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds.
MILITARY
Fireman Apprentice Christopher L. Camp
Navy Fireman Apprentice Christopher L. Camp, son of Debbie B. Frazier of Big Timber, Mont. and William D. Camp of Morgan Hill, recently graduated from the Basic Enlisted Submarine Course at Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn. During the six-week course, Camp learned the basic theory, construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines. Camp also learned shipboard organization, damage control, and submarine safety and escape procedures. Camp participated in hands-on training with reality simulators, practiced firefighting and flood control on board a submarine. Camp also learned about a submarine’s basic hydraulic, water and air systems, and practiced escaping from a simulated sinking submarine. Camp is a 2002 graduate of Live Oak High School and joined the Navy in April 2004.
Sgt. Donald J. Ennis
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Donald J. Ennis has been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving overseas. The medal is awarded to an individual who, while serving in the U.S. armed forces, has performed a heroic act, meritorious achievement or distinguished service during armed conflict or ground combat while engaged against an armed enemy of the United States.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq.
Senior Master Sgt. Ennis directed and managed the design, deployment, construction and implementation of a $3.5 million mobile air operations center element to support the US Ambassador, US Central Command, US European Command and senior DoD representatives in country. He ensured round-the-clock presentation of current intelligence assessments and an air picture, giving senior national leaders a real-time window into Operation Iraqi Freedom; an instantaneous channel to communicate threat information to the host nation.
Ennis, a superintendent, is assigned to the 32nd Air Operations Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Kaiserslautern, Germany. He is the son of James L. and Patricia A. Ennis of Aromas. His wife, Tina, is the daughter of Cheryl Dodd of Rochester, Wash. Ennis graduated in 1983 from Watsonville High School.
Seaman Brandin
W. Foreman
Navy Seaman Brandin W. Foreman, son of Julie A. Foreman and Darin W. Foreman of Gilroy, was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Foreman received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training 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. Foreman is a 2002 graduate of Gilroy High School.
Cpl. Alexander
A. Ganzel
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander A. Ganzel, son of Debra S. Ganzel and John A. Ganzel of Gilroy, and more than 2,200 marines and sailors assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently concluded operations in Afghanistan and are preparing to return to their home base of Camp Lejuene, N.C., after a routine scheduled deployment. Ganzel’s unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. Ganzel is a 2002 graduate of Gilroy High School and joined the Marine Corps in July 2002.
Pvt. Molly A. Howe
Marine Corps Pfc. Molly A. Howe, daughter of Ann K. and Jack L. Howe of Gilroy, recently completed the Administrative Clerk Course at Personnel Administration School, Marine Corps Service Support School at Camp Lejeune, N.C. During the eight-week course, Howe learned basic skills and knowledge in personnel management and administration procedures, and can now prepare personnel evaluations and reports, leave authorizations, military identification cards, and official orders for marines changing duty station. Howe is a 2004 graduate of Gilroy High School.
Pvt. Jeanette
A. Martinez
Army Pvt. Jeanette A. Martinez 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. Martinez is the daughter of Angel Martinez of San Juan Bautista and a 2003 graduate of Anzar High School.
Airman Carolyn
A. McPherson
Air Force Airman Carolyn A. McPherson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. She is the daughter of Debra Garfias of Lancaster and George McPherson of Diane Court, Hollister.
Petty Officer Benjamin R. Miner
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin R. Miner, a 1998 graduate of Live Oak High School, and the crew of the dock landing ship USS Comstock, homeported in San Diego, recently assumed duties as Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Miner’s unit’s role as AFSB is to support the sailors providing security for Al Basrah and Khwar Al AMaya Oil Terminals in the Northern Arabian Gulf.
Cpl. Marc
A. Nickerson
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marc A. Nickerson, son of Jennifer A. Nickerson of Gilroy, and more than 2,000 marines and sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently began the process of ensuring security and stability in the central Iraqi province of Northern Babil. Operating from Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Nickerson’s unit’s first order of business was to establish rapport with their neighbors and let them know they are prepared to help them in any way they can. The Marines drove throughout their area of responsibility, stopping to offer residents water and to talk with them about their living conditions and how the Marines could help them. The Forward Operating Base provides security against insurgents and anti-coalition militia for hundreds of Marines in Nickerson’s unit. Nickerson joined the Marine Corps in March 2002.
Airman Christopher J. Pringle
Air Force Airman Christopher J. Pringle has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. Pringle’s parents are Rori and Karen Nelson of Hollister. In 2003, the airman graduated from San Benito High School.
Airman Aimee
M. Thompson
Air Force Airman Aimee M. Thompson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. Thompson is the daughter of Cindy Seamons of Hollister and a graduate of San Benito High School.