MARIEL SANTANA graduates from Bishop Garcia Diego High School in June with a 4.0 GPA. She will attend California Lutheran University as a Marketing Communications major in the fall. While at Bishop, Mariel has distinguished herself by earning a spot on the principal’s honor roll and in the California Scholarship Federation. She served as co-captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer team and was selected to be a member of the Campus Ministry group. Before playing on the school team, Mariel played AYSO soccer for ten years and with the Futbol club of Santa Barbara. She has actively completed her community service with various projects and even finds the time to work part-time at a local drug store.

MARIA ROSARIO has earned a solid ‘B’ average at Bishop Garcia Diego High School and she has prepared herself to be successful when she attends college at Santa Barbara City College. Maria has been involved with JV and Varsity Cheerleading for four years and she also has played on the Girls Varsity Soccer team. Maria has balanced her school studies and activities with working 20 hours a week during the school year to help pay for her expenses and to help her family. A teacher writes: "Maria is a conscientious student and leader. She is motivated, reliable, responsible, and is always a positive example for other students. Maria would be a great investment for a scholarship award."

CHRISTIAN SANTANA is graduating from Carpinteria High School with an excellent 4.0 GPA and she plans to attend CSU Long Beach in the fall. Christian is interested in pursuing a major in Criminal Justice and perhaps a career as a police detective. Christian has been an active member of Girls, Inc for six years and she has also volunteered time to the Rape Crisis Center. She has earned academic honors on campus and was selected as the Kiwanis Student of the Month. In addition, she works 12 hours a week at a local movie theater. Her teachers describe Christian as being "a positive student and role model who has great potential to excel."

CHRISTIAN CRUZ has achieved a 3.4 GPA at Carpinteria High School and he plans to start his college career at Santa Barbara City College. He has played on several sports teams during high school including Volleyball, Basketball, and Football. In addition, he has challenged himself with AP Psychology class and joined the Spanish Club. Christian works part-time as a restaurant busser to earn money for his expenses. One of his advisers at school writes: "Christian is motivated and takes initiative. He us always pushing himself to do better."

LESLIE PLUMA will attend Santa Barbara City College in the fall after graduating from Carpinteria High School. She has earned a 3.7 GPA and is interested in pursuing a major in architectural studies. Leslie is the oldest child in her family, so she has many responsibilities at home and her younger siblings look to her as their role model. She has been involved in several campus activities, including French Club, Mecha, Mock Trial, and Leadership class. She has taken many honors and AP classes and has helped younger students at Canalino School for over two years. A teacher wrote: "Leslie is hardworking and always prepared."

JESSICA MORELOS will attend Loyola Marymount University in the fall and she plans to have a career in education. Jessica has achieved an amazing 4.43 GPA while taking a huge number of honors courses. In addition to her coursework, Jessica has dedicated many hours to the sport of Water Polo and Swimming, serving as a captain of the Water Polo team in her senior year. She earned a spot in the DPHS Leadership class and has volunteered time to groups such as Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguards, Ty Warner Sea Center, and St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. Her counselor describes Jessica as "a dedicated self-starter and school leader."

GUSTAVO HERNANDEZ plans to attend Santa Barbara City College in the fall after completing his studies at Dos Pueblos High School. Teachers state that Gustavo’s perseverance, passion to learn, and his positive attitude and personality will take him very far in life. Gustavo has achieved a 3.1 GPA and he has played on the Boys Varsity Soccer team for four years and served as a captain for two years. Additionally, he plays an integral role on the team for the Santa Barbara Soccer club. Gustavo is an AVID student and has been a member of his church youth group for more than three years. He has also worked part-time as a waiter.

EDDIE LOPEZ will graduate from Dos Pueblos High School in June and he will attend Santa Barbara City College next year. Eddie is interested in studying for a degree in the field of Business Marketing. He has been very involved in the DPHS Virtual Enterprise class, helping with marketing and advertising and making commercials. Eddie has participated for two years on both the Track team and the Cross Country team, and he is a mentor in the Friday Night Live program. This year he is also serving as a Teen Court intern.

XAVIER RAMOS plans to major in Psychology at Santa Barbara City College in the fall. He has earned a ‘B’ average at Dos Pueblos High School while participating with the Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field teams. In particular, he has served as a captain for two years with the Track team and he hopes to continue participating in this sport while attending college. A teacher writes: "Xavier has a genuine love of learning and a willingness to apply himself to a variety of assignments. He shows enthusiastic dedication and keeps trying until he increases his abilities. He is a well-rounded student who will continue to work hard at college."

MARIA GARCIA has been attending La Cuesta High School for three years and she graduates in June. Maria plans to attend Santa Barbara City College and she is considering a career as a probation officer. In addition to school, Maria works up to 25 hours a week at a local restaurant. Her work supervisor states that Maria is always professional and prepared to work. At school, Maria shows perseverance and determination. A teacher states: "Maria demonstrates leadership skills and she is self-sufficient and always willing to help. She has overcome hardships and I believe that she will excel in college if given the chance."

NICOLE MORENO attended San Marcos High School and then La Cuesta High School. She is on track to graduate in June. Nicole is interested in studying to be a nurse or x-ray technician at Santa Barbara City College. She is motivated to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and go to college. Nicole feels that she has matured more in the last year and now she sees school as a priority for her. One of her teachers writes: "Nicole has made rapid progress. She is respectful of all people and she offers to complete tasks that are above and beyond what is asked. She is resilient and accepts responsibility for her choices, and cheerfully helps to motivate her peers with moral support."

SANDRA IRAHETA has earned an excellent 4.38 GPA at San Marcos High School and she will attend UC San Diego in the fall. Sandra is a proud first-generation college student and she is planning to major in Biology and eventually attend medical school. Sandra was honored to be selected as the Goleta Teen of the Year for her amazing achievements. She is a member of the school’s Health Academy and has volunteered at SB Cottage Hospital, for City at Peace, as a camp counselor, and for the Red Cross Club. She has done all of this while taking honors and AP classes, and working part-time. A teacher writes: "Sandra is extraordinary. She has a deep commitment to excellence and is a true leader."

NANCY ARREOLA achieved a great 4.03 GPA at San Marcos High School and she will attend Santa Barbara City College in the fall. She will major in Business and Accounting. Nancy has been active with Friday Night Live and the AVID program and has already taken a class at SBCC. She enjoys her work on the Yearbook staff and has already earned more than 150 hours of community service. Nancy is described by her teachers as "a fantastic person with a great personality. She has a positive attitude and is always ready to learn."

LARISSA CERVANTES graduated a semester early from San Marcos High School in January with a 3.3 GPA and she would like to attend Santa Barbara Business College to study for a degree as a medical assistant. After that, Larissa would like to continue her education in the health care field and perhaps become a nurse or doctor. Larissa has volunteered hours with several groups, including the A-OK program, the Cancer Prevention Center, the Downtown Organization, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. In addition, she has worked part-time to help pay for her expenses.

ELIZABETH ESCOTO has decided to attend Santa Barbara City College and she is considering majoring in Criminal Justice issues. Elizabeth has earned a 3.65 GPA. A teacher writes: "Elizabeth is a hard worker who enjoys the challenge of learning something new. She is a determined and reliable student who shows an optimistic spirit and great perseverance. She exhibits maturity and flexibility as well." Elizabeth has willingly given of her time to worthy causes such as the Goleta Public Library, Friday Night Live, and to her church. She has also been a valuable teacher’s assistant in the counseling office on campus.

AARON GIL has earned a 4.2 GPA at Santa Barbara High School and he will attend UC Santa Barbara as a Psychology major. Aaron is the first in his family to go to college and he is driven to succeed. He is interested in pursuing a PhD degree and perhaps specializing in criminal or forensic psychology. Aaron has been active with the Green Academy on campus, growing and working with vegetables at the Farmers Market, and he volunteered two summers as a counselor at Camp Wheeze for the American Lung Association. He has earned the Star Award for more than 200 community service hours and was active with the AYSO soccer group for 12 years. A teacher states that "Aaron is mature and has a great academic record and I am honored to have been his teacher."

FABIOLA GONZALEZ will attend Santa Barbara City College next year and she is considering a major in Sociology. She has achieved a 3.68 GPA at SBHS while being extremely active on campus and in the community. Fabiola is the president of the Future Leaders of America club and she has worked for the group as an office assistant. She is a board member of the Youth Making Change philanthropic program and has served as a student government commissioner in the SBHS Associated Student Body group. Fabiola has also made time to be a mentor to freshman students and to be a member of the SBHS University Club for college bound students.

KARINA PATINO has earned a 3.44 GPA and she has selected to attend Santa Barbara City College in the fall. She is undecided about her major but is considering the study of Psychology. Karina is an ASB student government commissioner as well as being voted to be the class secretary and treasurer. She played on the Girls Basketball team for several years and she has been a mentor with the Link Crew. Karina absorbs tips for college by being a member of the SBHS University Club and she is a long time member of the Future Leaders of America club. A teacher describes Karina as "a talented student who is also very friendly, enthusiastic, motivated, and helpful to others."

JOSE ROSALES will attend Santa Barbara City College next year with the career goal of becoming a math teacher. He has earned an excellent 3.9 GPA and has been an active member of the SBHS University Club. He has helped to organize events for Lulac in the past, and for the past two years he has been singing with the SBHS A Capella Choir. In addition, he works over 20 hours a week at a local grocery store. A teacher writes: "Jose is wonderful. He is a serious student with a sincere desire to succeed. Jose is always positive and he does not shrink from hard work. He is a mature, thoughtful, and intelligent young man."

ENEDINA GARCIA will attend UC Berkeley and she is interested in studying International Business. Enedina has achieved an outstanding 4.25 GPA and is ranked in the top ten in her senior class. Enedina is a four-year member of Upward Bound and the Mesa Club, and she played on the girl’s Tennis team for two years. She works 20 hours a week at a department store to help save money for college expenses. "It is a privilege to recommend Enedina," writes a teacher. "She is a very responsible, hard working and honest individual who is committed to success. Enedina is an exemplary student and shows great promise as a leader."

ISABEL SALAZAR has earned a 4.03 GPA and will attend Cal Poly Pomona next fall as an Engineering major. Isabel attended the Future Leaders of America camp and she has donated volunteer hours to Family Camp and to the Special Olympics. She was selected for the RHS Renaissance Award and the Golden Warrior Award and has taken a rigorous course selection of honors and advanced placement classes, in addition to AVID coursework. One of her teachers writes: "Isabel has an impressive work ethic and modesty. She was the most responsible, diligent, and prepared student that I have taught. Her analytical skills are amazing and she has a high level of maturity and confidence."

CRISTINA MORA will attend UC Berkeley in the fall semester. She graduates in June from Santa Maria High School with an excellent 4.2 GPA. Cristina has consistently challenged herself with many honors courses, and she balanced this with participation on the Varsity Basketball and Varsity Volleyball teams. In addition, she played for two years on the Softball team. Cristina has earned a large number of community service hours with the Saints Varsity Club and the Key Club. A teacher states: "Cristina has been an outstanding student. The challenge of school appears to be enjoyable for her. She speaks with confidence and often plays a lead role."

ELENA JOAQUIN plans to attend San Francisco State University next year. She has achieved a 3.0 GPA at St. Joseph High School and is interested in studying Communications. Elena has earned her way on to the Dean’s Honor Roll and she has played on the school’s Soccer and Swim teams. She has enjoyed being a part of the Drama Club and she has donated hours as a class assistant at Adams School. Elena has accomplished all of this while dealing with dyslexia. She is an enthusiastic student who has worked hard to overcome this challenge.