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Jadden Chase Lai-Yates – Chapter 203 El Segundo High School
Adviser Judy Munger
Principal Steve Gebhart
El Segundo Unified School District

Jadden “Chase” Lai-Yates is driven by a commitment “to create spaces where people who feel overlooked are seen, supported, and empowered to step forward with confidence.”  For him inclusion does not mean being permitted to stand on the periphery and merely watch from a distance.  Rather, it means being accepted for who one is and being brought into the center to be a contributor or leader.

Of his numerous service activities to his school and local community, he is most proud of his involvement in Friendship Club, which seeks “to help integrate students with disabilities into social activities with their general education peers.”  As president he worked to move his general education peers beyond being simply “kind and respectful” and to forming “deeper connections with these students.” Chase saw the fruits of such inclusive actions when a neurodivergent student grew socially and successfully ran for class office.

Chase enjoys spending his down time immersing himself in Marvel’s Spider-Verse. While some people may focus solely on the stories, Chase watches for hidden details and symbols that may carry a deeper meaning, giving insight into the characters and universes. Chase will attend either UC Berkeley or UCLA as a pre-med student to eventually go to school for optometry.

The South Central Seymour Finalists at the Region Awards Event hosted by Chapter 203 El Segundo High School in El Segundo, CA.
Many thanks to CSF Advisers Judy Munger and Jill Moeller and Principal Steve Gebhart for hosting the South Central Region CSF/CJSF Awards Event.

Brianna Bonfiglio – Chapter 1389 Golden Valley High School
Adviser Shanna Mann
Principal Jennifer Ambrose
William S. Hart High Union School District

“Brianna is a force on our campus.” With that succinct statement, Brianna Bonfiglio’s CSF adviser Shanna Mann introduces a fraction of Brianna’s record of service. As her sophomore class president, Brianna identified issues in her school, such as declining morale and the post-pandemic drop in attendance.  Desiring a lasting solution to these problems, the following year she successfully ran for Outreach Committee captain. Together, the committee members worked to increase student awareness of events on campus and opportunities to engage with the school community.   Recognizing the challenges students face finding and earning scholarships, Brianna created and wrote the weekly newsletter “Opportunity Knocks” to inform students of scholarship and resume building opportunities.   

Outside of school, Brianna has volunteered more than 200 hours at the Henry Mayo Hospital and served as Backpack Committee co-chair for the Santa Clarita Assistance League, which provides necessities and comfort items for youth entering foster care. 

 She will attend the University of South Carolina in the fall where she intends to double major in international business and business economics and to spend a year abroad in France, where she could complete a minor in French.  Sadly, while abroad she won’t be able to fully indulge her love of the LA Dodgers and Chargers or engage in the rituals surrounding college football weekend–go Gamecocks!

Allison Hsu – Chapter 977 Saugus High School
School Adviser Kristi Schertz
Principal Geni Peterson-Henry
Wm.S.Hart Union School District

“Give them roses, and your hands will smell like flowers.” With this Chinese proverb that Alison Hsu’s mother taught her, Alison embarked on her journey “of making someone’s day just that much easier.”

In grammar school she helped  the second-grade teacher; in middle school, Alison earned the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards by cleaning cages and assisting in the care of pets; in high school, she served as president of Key Club, vice-president of National Honor Society and a CSF officer to create volunteer opportunities at local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. Alison has also volunteered at Henry Mayo Hospital as a “candy striper,” where her “favorite part . . . was sitting with patients in their rooms and just having a chat.” Tri-lingual in English, Taiwanese, and Mandarin, she must have given many patients fragrant roses.

Alison is deciding between attending UCLA and UCSD to study pre-med in preparation to be a pediatrician.  As a pediatrician, her experience as a ride operator at Six Flags Magic Mountain would likely come in handy calming nervous children and parents alike. Finally, in case you are curious, she is working on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award!

Madison James – Chapter 701 Bishop Montgomery High School
Adviser John Hong
Principal Michele Starkey
Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Madison Victoria Eileen James has noted, “Growing up, I was told that time is money.  As I entered high school I realized that I did not have much money to give, so I gave time.” She gave her time in serving her schoolmates through holding ASB positions, sponsoring clubs, and completing her Girl Scouts Gold Award.  Through all of it, she learned that “leadership is more about humility and empathy than boisterous ferocity.” 

Among her many activities, Madison is involved in BeautyBus, a nonprofit that “works with patients in hospitals to deliver skincare and cosmetic-related services.”  She first worked with BeautyBus when earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. After volunteering more than eighty volunteer hours and creating an educational website, BeautyBus invited Madison to be a founding member of their Youth Committee, helping to share the program and launch clubs on high school campuses.  

Madison plans to continue serving through a career in healthcare.  She plans to major in biological studies at UCLA. When not at school or volunteering, she studies Italian so she may speak it during trips to Italy with her mother and when she studies abroad during college.

Nandhiha Krishnamoorthi – Chapter 106 Simi Valley High School
Adviser Shauna Poutre
Principal JC Baxter
Simi Valley Unified School District

Nandhiha Krishmamoorthi’s favorite word is “yes.” However, that was not always the case.  As she explained, she moved from “no” to “yes” after her brother, with whom she shares a love of raw fish and rice–sushi–told her, “the more you live with fear, the more you live with regret.”

With that piece of truth, her brother helped her pull open the door to a world of possibilities and opportunities, first on the Simi Valley Youth Council, on which she has repeatedly been invited to serve, and then at her high school Simi Valley High School, where she holds offices in multiple clubs.  Four years after her initial “yes,” Nandhiha sits on an official Advisory Board appointed by the Mayor and City Council and assigned the task of researching and advising on youth issues. At school, she serves as president of her CSF chapter, having led toy and food drives, increased its social media following, and developed a fundraising plan that raised $5,000 for senior scholarships.

Ryan Flower, Simi Valley’s Youth Council Coordinator, encapsulated Nandhiha’s spirit when he described her as determined, collaborative, responsible, and empathetic.  These traits will serve her well as she pursues her studies in cognitive sciences, at possibly UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UCSD, and eventually a career as a neuro-surgeon.  Until then, she wants to continue helping youth discover the power and freedom of the word “yes” and eating sushi with her brother. 

Jadden Chase Lai-Yates – Chapter 203 El Segundo High School
Adviser Judy Munger
Principal Steve Gebhart
El Segundo Unified School District

Jadden “Chase” Lai-Yates is driven by a commitment “to create spaces where people who feel overlooked are seen, supported, and empowered to step forward with confidence.”  For him inclusion does not mean being permitted to stand on the periphery and merely watch from a distance.  Rather, it means being accepted for who one is and being brought into the center to be a contributor or leader.

Of his numerous service activities to his school and local community, he is most proud of his involvement in Friendship Club, which seeks “to help integrate students with disabilities into social activities with their general education peers.”  As president he worked to move his general education peers beyond being simply “kind and respectful” and to forming “deeper connections with these students.” Chase saw the fruits of such inclusive actions when a neurodivergent student grew socially and successfully ran for class office.

Chase enjoys spending his down time immersing himself in Marvel’s Spider-Verse. While some people may focus solely on the stories, Chase watches for hidden details and symbols that may carry a deeper meaning, giving insight into the characters and universes. Chase will attend either UC Berkeley or UCLA as a pre-med student to eventually go to school for optometry.

Brady Novean – Chapter 1389 Golden Valley High School
Adviser Shanna Mann
Principal Jennifer Ambrose
William S. Hart Union High School District

Brady Michale Novean’s dream job is to be an electrical engineer for F1 cars. Taking on big challenges is something with which he has much experience.  Not only did he plan and execute his Eagle Scout project, he has been to all thirty-two National Hockey League arenas in North America–Canada and the United States.

As the Community Service chairperson for his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, Brady planned and executed letter writing campaigns, book drives, and food and hygiene product drives.  Through these and other activities, Brady, as he explained, seeks to fulfill his guiding belief that “we have an obligation to leave the world a little better than we found it.” Which brings us back to his Eagle Scout project that created, and stocked a pantry for Golden Years Dog Sanctuary. 

This fall, Brady will attend Auburn University in Alabama, where he will have a choice of collegiate and minor hockey teams’ games to attend.

Nyaira Payne – Chapter 82 Mountain View High School
Adviser David Campbell
Principal Kip Glazer
Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District

From an early age, Nya Payne has shown an entrepreneurial spirit, first launching her own cooking business at just seven years old. That early passion has grown into a strong interest in business and economics, shaping the path she plans to pursue in college and beyond.

At Mountain View High School, Nya is a dedicated leader and active member of her community. She serves as President of the Black Student Union, where she has helped grow membership and create meaningful events that build connection and awareness across campus. She is also involved in student leadership through advisory councils and service organizations, consistently using her voice to support others.

Nya has gained real-world experience through her internship with Justice Vanguard, where she has contributed to work focused on equity, education, and community advocacy. Alongside her leadership and service, she is a dedicated musician, having played the violin for over a decade and performing in recitals throughout her academic career.

With plans to study economics and a passion for business, Nya hopes to one day build something of her own. She is looking forward to continuing her journey at a university in California, with applications to the University of San Francisco, LMU, Santa Clara University, and several UC campuses.

Robert Santiago – Chapter 757 John Glenn High School
Adviser Cynthia Johnson
Principal Jennifer Padilla
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District

Robert Santiago ran for president of his CSF chapter with the goal of “removing barriers and making service accessible to everyone.” He did not intend simply to help students “pad their college applications,” rather he wanted them to know the joy of working together to improve their community and genuinely helping people. 

Drawing on his computer skills, Robert created a website for his CSF chapter to announce service opportunities, enable signups, and track students’ hours.  As a result the chapter has grown and sponsored, among other things, a blood drive, their Golden angels campaign to provide warm clothing for children, and a school-wide Stuff-a-Bus toy drive.  Reflecting on Robert’s high school career and the numerous other ways he has contributed to his high school, Cynthia Johnson, his CSF adviser, wrote, “I am in awe of Robert’s determination, resilience and passion to change lives.”  Despite being a member of the marching band, I doubt that he would throw himself a parade.

This fall, building on his time in his school’s Robotics club, which has won almost every year, he will be attending UC Berkeley to major in computer science with a focus on autonomous vehicles.  Similar to his goals with his CSF chapter, he wants “to make roads safer and more accessible for everyone.” 

Lilit Aleksandra Shashikyan – Chapter 634 Ulysses S Grant High School
Adviser Erin Suess
Principal Rebecca McMurrin
Los Angeles Unified School District

Lilit Aleksandra Shashikyan’s understanding of community service crystalized at age twelve.  As she explains, “If I had figured something out, I believed I owed it to someone else to pass it on.”  Moving through life, she has shared her knowledge and insights not only simply to help people but enable them to see and act on their abilities and possibilities, ultimately recognizing their dignity. 

As president of her school’s CSF chapter, she came to understand that circumstances limit people’s exposure to possibilities and the means of self-advocacy, thus reducing their opportunities. So, during her sophomore year and building on her role in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Student Superintendent’s Advisor Council, Lilit founded Career Club. She describes it as “a space for students who worked hard, earned good grades, and still didn’t see possibilities for their future” to get exposure to professionals and other resources.

Lilit plans to double major in political science and business administration in preparation for law school and a career as a corporate attorney.  This fall she will be attending UCLA, where she will continue, as her chapter adviser stated, “not only to meet the idea of service to self and others” but also to exceed it. 

Benjamin Tran – Chapter 701 Bishop Montgomery High School
Adviser John Hong
Principal Michele Starkey
Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Benjamin Minh-Nhat Tran offers one of those rare examples of how one hopes to be perceived matches how one is seen by others.  Benjamin wrote that he strives “to make a positive impact on those around me.” In describing Benjamin, his youth group leader wrote of Benjamin’s “genuine care for the development of others.” 

As a leader in the Vietnamese non-profit youth organization The Youth of Our Lady of Fatima Association, he has helped students engage with Vietnamese culture by teaching classes in language and dance, including the lion dance.  He wants them to have the same opportunity to experience community and connect with their Vietnamese cultural heritage that he had. 
Benjamin also makes time to impact students academically by tutoring middle school students in algebra, and high school students in math and science.  He credits the students he tutors with teaching him patience and flexibility, as he has come to understand “that not everyone learns the same.”

Benjamin plans to continue serving and empowering people through a career in healthcare.  He will be attending UCLA and majoring in chemistry or nursing. In college, Benjamin will continue to strive, as he wrote, “to be a leader, one not defined by his accolades, but his ability to empower others to achieve their potential.”