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Jossie Adame
Bay Area School of EnterpriseCollege: College of Alameda
Career Choice: Personal Trainer
Jossie Adame is passionate about health and sports. A senior at the Bay Area School of Enterprise, Adame is interested in the health field and learning about nutrition and exercise. “My goal is to become a personal trainer,” she says, so she can “train people to be healthy and stay in shape.”
Adame is involved with the Youth Adult Council at BASE, which is a group that tackles problems and policies at the charter school. She is fluent in Spanish and often helps translate at BASE meetings or helps other students with their English. An artist as well as an athlete, Adame is also thinking that it might be fun to take on some kick-boxing competitions some day in the future; she’s been training hard. Last year her mom, Mercedes Cobran, made a speech to her school, telling the other students and faculty how proud she was of Adame. That’s a feeling this 17-year-old is looking to repeat.
Emily Braga
St. Joseph Notre DameCollege: Undecided
Career Choice: Pediatrician
Though Emily Braga, a senior at SJND, has yet to give her final word on which college, there’s no doubt that she’s on her way to becoming a pediatrician with studies in biology, biochemistry or other life sciences. Her cumulative GPA tops 4.33 and she is No. 1 in her class.
Braga received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award in 2004, as well as numerous other academic honors. She rounds out her academics with community service to Bud Branch, Oakland Children’s Hospital, tutoring other students, volunteering for Seedlings Montessori School, and completing more than 400 hours of community service. She was named the best defensive player in women’s varsity soccer in 2003, lettering in soccer and playing in school and leagues since 1995. She’s been in ballet and modern dance since 1996. With all of these activities, you’d think she’d be stressed out. But “I always have a smile on my face, no matter how busy or hectic my life is,” says this dynamo.
Sam Felsing
Alameda CommunityLearning Center
College: Undecided
Career Choice: Writer, Law
Sam Felsing finds that ACLC is a springboard for his future in law and as a writer. Felsing has been editor of his school’s newspaper, a member of the judicial and financial committees and in charge of finding alumni. He wrote his school’s first Bill of Rights, has consistently kept his GPA over 3.5 and was rewarded for his efforts with a nomination for National Honor Roll Society and a Governor’s Award. He’s also been a tutor and intern at 826 Valencia Street in San Francisco. He’s looking to “get to a place where education no longer feels like a chore but a tool to better myself.” He’s traveled a bit already, seen the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower, and considers those important but not as significant as doing small but significant things.
“You can’t always climb Mt. Everest,” he says. “It’s those small, rather insignificant things that are the most meaningful to me.”Anything else we should know about Felsing? “If I told you, I would have to kill you,” he says.
Asya Maximovna Grigorieva
Alameda Community Learning CenterCollege: UC Berkeley
Career Choice: Psychologist, Psychiatrist
Asya Maximovna Grigorieva is a trilingual student at ACLC who excels in her studies, has a 4.174 GPA and knows exactly where she wants to be. Her plans include getting her bachelor’s degree in psychology in three years, then moving quickly onto her PhD program. She also plans to become a black belt in karate by 2006; she’s been kicking it on the mats for several years, winning four gold trophies each for sparring and tournaments so far.
Grigorieva is a coordinator of the film society and clerk of the judicial committee, as well as a peer counselor and facilitator, conflict manager and member of the psychology club. She’s already a member of the Association for Human Psychology and has written and translated articles into Russian for its magazine, among her other extracurricular activities. While Grigorieva fills her days and nights with her studies and activities, she’s never too busy for friends. She says, “We all have at least one very special person that touches our hearts.”
Ki-Shui Liao
Alameda High SchoolCollege: Stanford University
Career Choice: Professional Golfer
Golf is more than just a pastime for this dynamic teen: It’s a way of life. Ki-Shui Liao of Alameda High School has been a player among junior golfers for some time now. Liao is currently junior executive director of the Alameda Junior Golf Club, was 2004 MVP of the Alameda High School varsity golf team, 2002 player of the year for the Junior Golf Association of Northern California, and in both 2003 and 2004 made the HP Scholastic All-American Team. She was ranked 36th in the Golf Week/Titleist Junior National Ranking for golf as of press time.
What does Liao do off the course? She’s ranked No. 1 in her class academically with top scores on all her exams, tutors students after school as a member of the California Scholarship Federation and is co-founder and co-president of the Recycling Club at AHS. But it all comes back to golf. “The junior golfing organizations have repeatedly accentuated the importance of ‘giving back’—if it weren’t for the volunteers who had been so committed to encourage (me in) junior golf, I would not have the devotion and enthusiasm to support the next generation of golfers as I continue my golfing career.”
Joey Johnathan LoParo
Island High SchoolCollege: Laney Community College
Career Choice: Undecided
Joey LoParo is not content with a 3.6 GPA, academic and athletic honors and a fast pitching arm. LoParo looks forward to a career working with children, and hopes “to achieve an education in which I am able to provide for my family,” probably in the field of psychology. He is currently involved in community service for his church and will soon be coaching a Little League baseball team.
He recalls an experience on the baseball diamond that helped shape his view of life—giving up his first home run to the opposite team. “I learned that just because I gave up a home run doesn’t mean my pitching career is over.” LoParo has kept his grades up despite juggling athletics and volunteering. That balance, as well as a positive attitude, will help him in the future.
Ben Josef Mahon
Alameda High School College: Undecided
Career Choice: Physician
This talented AHS teen is a National Merit Finalist, a Governor’s Scholar and an AP Scholar of Distinction. He’s also a Rotary Award winner and has a full slate of cross-country, track and soccer accolades as well. Ranked fourth in his class, Ben Mahon wants to double-major in biology and Spanish (which he’s already studied for five years). “I would like to study throughout the country to attain a diverse perspective of the United States,” he says.
Mahon has spent his precious spare time as a tutor and a volunteer camp counselor. He loves speaking Spanish and intends to attain true fluency. Ultimately he hopes to “be a well-rounded individual and have an effect on people’s lives.” And he adds philosophically, “I must be thankful simply for the life that I have.”
Myriah Keikilani Ogas
Alameda CommunityLearning Center
College: Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash.
Career Choice: Journalist, Teacher, Nonprofits
Myriah Keikilani Ogas has been actively involved in the Sisterhood Club and Foreign/Cult Film Club and is a member of the personnel committee at ACLC. She has volunteered for her community with the West Alameda Business Association, the Peanut Butter Jam Festival, the SNAP Foundation and Open Roads. Academically she boasts a 3.6 GPA and numerous honors including the Scholars’ Honor Roll, awards for her business skills and graduating from high school a year early.
However, Ogas is not one to be tied to a desk. She loves fishing, camping, white-water rafting and hiking. She recently climbed to the summit of Mt. St. Helens and plans to do it again—a feat she calls “amazing.” Ogas’ plans include a double major in journalism and women’s studies, then graduate school and “lifelong learning outside of school.” A non-profit business may be in her future as well.
Christina Lee Pedley
St. Joseph Notre DameCollege: University of Southern California
Career Choice: Forensic Scientist for the FBI
In her freshman year Christina Pedley of SJND spent some time in Summit Hospital for heart problems. She had a pacemaker implanted, and upon recovery, wanted to help the Family House of Children’s Hospital in Oakland, where families stay to be near their hospitalized children. She is president of Bud Branch this year, continuing to help raise funds.
In school, the science whiz kid has won countless honors and awards for her academics, ranking third in her class and holding a steady 4.21 GPA. In the pool, Pedley has won countless awards for her prowess as a swimmer, including most inspirational. She’s also been involved
in other school and extracurricular activities, from summer art camp, cross-country running and going to Girls State. But it is the science of forensics that attracts her, and after a major in biology and a graduate degree in forensic science, Pedley hopes to start her career as a CSI.
Ruby J. Posadas
Island High SchoolCollege: San Diego State University
Career Choice: Advertising
Ruby Posadas is an Island High School shining star, sitting on the Alameda Unified School District’s board of education as student representative. Despite missing a year and a half of school, after a heartfelt conversation with a beloved cousin, Posadas came back with a vengeance and made up all her coursework with honors. She currently sports a 4.0 GPA. In her spare time she has helped out with the children at Island’s Cal-Safe program, and looks forward to going to college to study business and marketing.
She tells her own story best: “Returning to school, especially Island, has shown me the importance of my education and has given me the chance to show my true sense of determination and responsibility.”
Michael Christopher Priest II
St. Joseph Notre DameCollege: UC Berkeley
Career Choice: Advertising, Company Management
Michael Priest II has had to learn how to juggle his time in his senior year at St. Joseph Notre Dame. His schedule includes a full spate of activities, from creative writing to acting as student body officer at school. He volunteers for the Alameda County Food Bank, Alameda Red Cross and assists with a local youth basketball team.
Priest won the African-American Achievement Award given by the Oakland Diocese, a National Merit Scholarship and a Bank of America Award for English, and is a member of the SJND Star Society for published writers. Creative writing is an outlet for this outgoing senior, who has excelled in English and Spanish. He’s planning to get a degree in marketing or business administration, follow that up with an MBA and then get his PhD in English. Priest hopes to put those writing skills to good use, perhaps by writing a novel some day, or marketing for the National Basketball Association. “I want to discover something I truly love,” he says.
Isaac Joseph Reed
Bay Area School of Enterprise
College: Undecided
Career Choice: Biochemist, Musician
Isaac Reed has discovered that place where art and science meet. He’s dipped into both worlds, writing rap lyrics and free-styling, and volunteering at the Chabot Space and Science Center. He is interested in pursuing a career in biochemistry or media arts and already put in some time as an intern at a recording studio in West Oakland. He has also tutored other students in math and humanities and volunteered in community outreach projects with the school.
BASE has been good to Reed. “Coming to BASE and collaborating with encouraging coaches helped me to realize that, as an African-American male, I can be more than what society expects me to be,” he says.
“I hope that one day I can make a difference in someone’s life, just like they did for me."
Joseph Michael Republicano
St. Joseph Notre DameCollege: Santa Clara University
Career Choice: Engineering (Electrical, Civil or Mechanical)
Joseph Republicano has been working diligently through math, science and language classes at SJND, aiming toward a career in civil engineering. He’s been honored in mathematics and for his other academic work. Republicano has also volunteered for the church, has helped with food banks and homeless shelters, coached youth basketball and tutored other students. He’s been a youth counselor at baseball camp and been honored as MVP and team captain for baseball and soccer. He also works at Starbucks as a barrista in summer and during school.
What gives this 18-year-old the wherewithal to manage his time and activities? Perhaps it’s because he’s the eldest of eight brothers. Or perhaps it’s his motivation to do good for others: “I want to impact people’s lives in whatever I do,” he says.
Nathan Charles Rockwell
Encinal High School
College: Colorado College
Career Choice: Journalism, Education, Thespian
The acting bug bit Rockwell in his junior year, when he stepped in to fill a small role in As You Like It. He loved the role and since, has performed lead roles in Sylvia and Hamlet. “Drama has become a defining element in my life and has given me an excellent means of self-expression,” he says.
Oscar de Jesus Rojas
Encinal High SchoolCollege: UC Berkeley
Career Choice: Attorney for Immigration or Criminal Justice
Oscar de Jesus Rojas wants to be the first one in his extended family to go to a four-year university. He plans to attend UC Berkeley to study law and Latino studies. He has received a number of scholarships, including one for soccer, which is one of his favorite activities. Rojas has been a referee-coach and referee coordinator for the Oakland Soccer Club as well. “I love sports,” he confides.
Rojas was student body president of EHS this year. He has received numerous other accolades, including student of the month, the Mayor’s Award and has been an honor roll student throughout his high school career. He also volunteers every year with the Fruitvale Even Stars. “I want to have a good life where I can support my family and not have to worry much,” he says.
Shafon Monyé Rollins
Encinal High SchoolCollege: Undecided
Career Choice: Pediatrician, WNBA
Shafon Rollins has already seen growth and success on the basketball court. She’s been on the All-League team for three years. She faced a challenge over the summer when she played basketball on a team where college coaches were recruiting; it was a very intense season. “Now when I look back, it made me grow as an athlete and as a person,” she says.
With a 3.3 GPA and a desire to study biology and physiology, the medical field is ahead for Rollins, but she hopes, so is basketball. She wants “to be successful in life and to help by giving back to the community.” With college basketball coaches recruiting her for their teams, Rollins feels that she’s learned the meaning of the expression, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Lela Marie Sims
Encinal High SchoolCollege: Stanford, UC Berkeley or other Ivy League
Career Choice: Undecided
Lela Sims is a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar, ranking fifth in her class; she’s looking forward to studying anthropology, environmental studies or perhaps English. She’s been a star at her school, selected as MVP of her softball team, as well as captain and First Team All-League. Add to that a Mayor’s Award and winning the school band’s outstanding sophomore and outstanding junior awards, positions as varsity softball shortstop, in the EHS marching band and first chair flute, and you’ve got an inkling of what this young woman has been up to.
Sims plans “to do something that directly helps people or the environment.” With top universities on her radar, Sims plans to put that 4.39 GPA to good use.
Marty R. Skeels
Alameda High SchoolCollege: Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
Career Choice: Undecided
Marty Skeels hasn’t decided whether senator or rock star would be a better career choice just yet, but either way, he wants his life choice to be something he enjoys. He has certainly found a number of things he enjoys through his high school days at AHS. Skeels was captain of varsity track, All-League for track and a member of the varsity cross-country team for all four years. A couple of stints in the school musical honed his enjoyment of the stage, and volunteer work for the Alameda Peace Network and voter registration gave him an affinity for social justice.
Skeels plans to study humanities, history and political science. He says he’d like to travel in Europe, “keep playing bad guitar with my friend Arran and find time to read more good books.” With a 4.2 GPA and awards for good citizenship and achievement in liberal arts, Skeels hopes to find teachers as intelligent and committed as his teachers at AHS.
Claire Elise Slattery
Alameda High School College: Stanford or NYU
Career Choice: Actor, Pediatrician, Lawyer, TV Journalist
Anyone who saw Claire Slattery onstage as Juliet in AHS’ fall production of Romeo and Juliet knows: This young woman can act. She’s been taking lead roles in school drama productions since her sophomore year, as well as seeing her poetry published in the school anthology. She’s lettered in swimming, made First Team All-League for volleyball and received the scholar athlete award for basketball.
Slattery was also one of the first students to receive an academic letter for excellence, with a 4.0+ GPA for at least six semesters. She will graduate ranking second in her class, having mastered a succession of rigorous academic challenges. Whether she ends up in front of a camera as a TV journalist or as an actor, or on a different stage as an attorney or doctor, Slattery is determined to find a career about which she is passionate.
Pablo Rodrigo Solis
Alameda Community Learning CenterCollege: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Career Choice: Computer Software Technician
Pablo Solis, who will be graduating early from ACLC, has been very much engaged in a variety of school activities, from the school newspaper to being president of the administrative caucus of student government. He has participated in numerous competitions, and won first place in the Great American Model Roller-coaster Contest, among other achievements.
Ranked No. 1 in his class, Solis anticipates earning his master’s in computer science and electrical engineering before getting his doctorate in mathematics—a goal he doesn’t blink at. In fact, he looks forward to starting his own math and physics school someday. For now, give him a ham sandwich with grape jelly and bananas, and you’ll see utter contentment.
Nicole Mariel Sparks
Island High SchoolCollege: Undecided
Career Choice: Writer, Psychologist, Editor
Nicole Mariel Sparks loves artistic things and hopes her college career will help further her interest in those areas—perhaps a career as a writer or editor, with study in the arts and psychology fields. She has been involved in fund-raising for the Close-Up trip to Washington D.C. and the Gay-Straight Alliance at Alameda High School and worked to start a Tolerance Club at Island High School. She was also active in volunteering for a cat rescue organization locally.
Sparks’ high school years have been one of self-discovery, she says. She looks ahead to her college career, achieving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Beyond that, Sparks hopes to “live a full life, write a book, write a movie”—good goals for this young woman to aspire towards.
