Each year the Foundation recognizes one student from each high school. This student is selected by the school's administration as a senior who has contributed positively to the community feeling of the school. The student receives a certficate and a medal of recognition which may be worn during the graduation ceremony.

JENNIFER GONZALEZ
Fremont High School

The Foundation's President Don Mackenzie presented the award to Jennifer Gonzalez at the April 12th Board of Trustees Meeting held at Fremont High School. Photo includes Don, Jennifer and FHS Principal Bryan Emmert.

Jennifer is a quietly gifted, powerful, and unforgettable student when she chooses to make herself known. She describes herself as an indifferent student at best when she was in middle school. As she transitioned to high school, she thought about high school as her second chance. Jennifer often talks about how AVID helped her to change her attitude about school – its family atmosphere, high expectations, and college-oriented focus where everyone has the same goals – but Jennifer has an internal fire fueled by her determination to take advantage of opportunities available to her.

Jennifer did not hold back when she decided that she wanted to make the most of her fresh start. Her good grades and rigorous coursework were a given. Her extracurricular activities exemplify Jennifer’s drive because she chose those that have meaning. She serves on the Principal’s Advisory Board where she is able to voice her peers’ perspectives about student life. She is the vice president of the Speech & Debate Club that she sees as a way for student to improve their communication skills. This past summer Jennifer held an internship at NASA where she fell in love with chemistry. Her leadership qualities at NASA led her to be selected as a NASA STEP mentor for middle school students where one of her roles was to explain chemistry, biology, and astrophysics at a level that they could understand. Jennifer serves as an AVID tutor for junior AVID students and gives advice about how to prepare for college. Through her church, she started a program Juventud para la Comunidad (“Teens Helping Teens”) for middle school students, who did not have a place to go to for extracurricular activities. Since eighth grade, Jennifer has been politically active in Voluntarios de la Comunidad, a social justice organization for migrant people.

In addition to her accomplishments, it is Jennifer’s ability to know what is important that sets her apart. She values her family and is able to appreciate her upbringing because she believes in the ideals instilled in her by her role models, her parents. Her father, Jose, was an elementary school principal in a small town in Mexico. Her mother, Juliette, started working when she was eight years old but saw education as an escape from poverty and sought to provide opportunities for her children. Because of her parents, Jennifer believes in protecting the rights of those who are defenseless.

Jennifer’s journey thus far has led to acceptance into four-year colleges including Notre Dame de Namur, San Diego State, University of Santa Barbara, University of San Francisco, and Santa Clara University.

SAMUEL YOUNG
Monta Vista High School

Foundation Member Harry Bettencourt presented the award to Samuel Young at the March 29th Board of Trustees Meeting held at Monta Vista High School. Photo includes Harry, Samuel and MVHS Principal April Scott.

Samuel Young is conscientious, considerate, and never without a smile and a positive word. Who thanks their teachers every day at the end of every class?  Samuel does!  Who voluntarily helps clean up the cafeteria at the end of lunch, so that the custodians are not burdened? Samuel does! Who can sing beautifully, but also break dance, beat box, and be a Link Crew leader? That would be Samuel!

Samuel is the eternal optimist. He models his beliefs: Be yourself.  Be the best you can be. Treat everyone with respect. Do not be boastful. Set a good example.  Make friends not enemies.  Samuel is one of 11 children (# 9 in the line). One of his younger brothers, Caleb, is his role model. Samuel gets pure inspiration from Caleb, describing him as the most perfect little brother anyone could have!

Samuel hopes to pursue medicine and music in college, following in his father's footsteps as a doctor. It is an absolute privilege and honor to recognize Samuel Young as our Foundation Student of the Year.

JENNY SHEN
Homestead High School

The Foundation's President Don Mackenzie presented the award to Jenny Shen at the February 15th Board of Trustees Meeting held at Homestead High School. Photo includes Don Mackenzie, Jenny Shen and HHS Principal Graham Clark.

Jenny Shen is one of the most successful and well rounded students at Homestead this year —  she is the type of student a teacher loves to have in class. She is intellectually curious, hardworking, and passionate toward her academic endeavors. Jenny has taken the most rigorous curriculum Homestead has to offer and has excelled across the board. She has stretched herself by taking challenging courses in all departments and proven she can handle anything. She is also a talented three sport athlete, a gifted student leader and an involved community member.  She is always smiling and cheerful, and a true joy to be around!  

Jenny has contributed so much to Homestead and left her mark in so many ways. Jenny is a starter for field hockey, basketball and track. Jenny has been named to the All League Team in field hockey. In addition to her athletic prowess, her coaches have selected her as the Most Inspirational, Most Dedicated and Most Improved Player on the various teams she has played on over the past years. Jenny is a great team player and she is the special type of athlete who improves all players through her positive example and leadership. Her contributions to athletics extend beyond the court and playing field; as the Sports Commissioner, Jenny proposed and implemented an Athlete of the Week recognition program at Homestead. She works with the coaches on a weekly basis to gather nominees, select the honoree, and recognize the student on the morning announcements.

In addition to athletics, Jenny is actively involved in many clubs on campus including Key Club, National Honors Society, and California Scholarship Federation. She is also a member of Homestead’s state championship Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Team.  In her FBLA event, Jenny took first place in the regional meet and second place in the state, which qualified her to compete in the national meet. She is also a vital part of the yearbook staff and can be found covering club, athletic and ASB events throughout the year.

AMY GARVEY
Cupertino High School

The Foundation's President Don Mackenzie presented the award to Amy Garvey at the March 1st Board of Trustees Meeting held at Cupertino High School. Photo includes Don Mackenzie, Amy and CHS Principal Kami Tomberlain.

Jenny Shen is one of the most successful and well rounded students at Homestead this year —  she is the type of student a teacher loves to have in class. She is intellectually curious, hardworking, and passionate toward her academic endeavors. Jenny has taken the most rigorous curriculum Homestead has to offer and has excelled across the board. She has stretched herself by taking challenging courses in all departments and proven she can handle anything. She is also a talented three sport athlete, a gifted student leader and an involved community member.  She is always smiling and cheerful, and a true joy to be around!  

Jenny has contributed so much to Homestead and left her mark in so many ways. Jenny is a starter for field hockey, basketball and track. Jenny has been named to the All League Team in field hockey. In addition to her athletic prowess, her coaches have selected her as the Most Inspirational, Most Dedicated and Most Improved Player on the various teams she has played on over the past years. Jenny is a great team player and she is the special type of athlete who improves all players through her positive example and leadership. Her contributions to athletics extend beyond the court and playing field; as the Sports Commissioner, Jenny proposed and implemented an Athlete of the Week recognition program at Homestead. She works with the coaches on a weekly basis to gather nominees, select the honoree, and recognize the student on the morning announcements.

In addition to athletics, Jenny is actively involved in many clubs on campus including Key Club, National Honors Society, and California Scholarship Federation. She is also a member of Homestead’s state championship Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Team.  In her FBLA event, Jenny took first place in the regional meet and second place in the state, which qualified her to compete in the national meet. She is also a vital part of the yearbook staff and can be found covering club, athletic and ASB events throughout the year.

RICHARDSON (Richie) ANG
Lynbrook High School

The Foundation's President Don Mackenzie presented the award to Richie Ang at the March 15th Board of Trustees Meeting held at Lynbrook High School. Photo includes LHS Principal Gail Davidson, Richie and Don Mackenzie,

Richie Ang is a polite charming young man who is a delight to know and a pleasure with whom to work. His attitude toward learning is positive and he is able to budget his own time to balance studying with his extracurricular interests. Richie has enjoyed participating in the Pre-Med club, Spanish Honor society, and a church youth group.

He has especially enjoyed his involvement in the Youth Acting for Kids club at Lynbrook. Last year, Richie was inspired after watching a documentary covering poverty and hunger in the Philippines.  He showed the video to the rest of the YAK club, and motivated the group to raise funds for a nonprofit in the Philippines that supported this cause. It is no coincidence Richie was honored by his peers with YAK’s “most spirited member” award last year.

Richie is future-minded and is particularly interested in a career as a physical therapist, as he desires to provide service to children with medical needs.

While Richie’s distinguished high school career is reason enough to warrant the FUHSD Foundation Award recognition, there is more to Richie’s story that helps illustrate how truly exceptional he is. As a young child, Richie was diagnosed with astrocytoma of the hypothalamus, which is an inoperable brain tumor. Throughout his childhood, he has received a series of incredibly aggressive surgeries and treatments to mitigate his tumor, and it is still constantly monitored by his medical team. Richie’s tumor has affected his memory and processing skills, but never his love of learning or his considerable academic potential.

In his own words from one of his college application essays: “I am thankful for the tumor because of the positive effects it had on me. I learned how to hope, how to cope with challenges, how to be thankful and positive, and how to rely on myself in impossible situations.  In life, there are times, like those I spent in surgery and radiation, when you have to be all by yourself and no one can hold your hand.  Life has not been very easy but that doesn’t mean that I cannot enjoy it and make the best of it. I would never let that get in the way of fulfilling my dreams and achieving my life goals.”