Taylor Simonich
Central Region
Chapter 1384 – Harmony Magnet Academy, Strathmore
Adviser Vicky Edwards

Taylor Brooke Simonich is a student at Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore and serves as the Co-President of her CSF chapter. Her activities included Friends of the Library Book Sale, Valentines for Veterans, Holiday cards for retirement community, Harvest Festival fundraiser, and thank you cards for firefighters and health care workers. She is also the Treasurer of The Class of 2021 and has been a member in Link Crew, Key Club, Math Club, and Mathematics, Engineering, Science, & Achievement Club. In addition, Taylor participated in tennis and track.

Of Taylor, Vicky Edwards (CSF Advisor) writes “She is a humble leader, the kind of young woman who is in the limelight not by trying to get attention, but by putting herself behind and at the scenes.” To that end, Taylor volunteered to work with Happy Trails Therapeutic Horsemanship helping those with developmental challenges.

Furthermore, Taylor was chosen to participate in the Bright Energy 101 program where she was trained in the technical aspect of energy, energy auditing, data collection, and making recommendations. William Kelly, CEO of Bright Energy 101, notes “the Energy and Sustainability Program at her school district last year were impressive including saving the school district over $300,000 while reducing their greenhouse gas emission by 13%.”

Taylor intends to continue her education at UCLA studying political science.

Katherine Tejada
Central Region
Chapter 512 – Redwood High School, Visalia
Adviser Georgette Cheatwood

Katherine Tejada is a student at Redwood High School in Visalia and serves as the CSF President. Her activities included several book drives, Valley Oak SPCA Donation Drive, Bethlehem Center – Soup Kitchen, Thanksgiving Canned-Food Drive, and Reading at the Tulare Public Library. She has also been a member of the Science Olympiad, Key Club, Pro-Med Club and participated with the swim team.

This past year, Katherine was awarded the Visalia Unified School District World Language Outstanding Achievement Award. With in-person meetings on hold and community service minimized this past year, she organized and created a community service log with several opportunities for CSF members to help the community.

Georgette Cheatwood (CSF advisor) writes “she is a positive role model whether she is speaking to 400 students at a CSF Zoom Meeting or patiently explaining how to fill out a CSF application to a freshman.” Moreover, Katherine has created multiple read-alongs for Veronica Portillo-Nichols (an elementary educator) who writes “my little ones have illustrated more enthusiasm in their work and have demonstrated more motivation and comprehension in their reading.”  

In her letter of introduction, Katherine recognizes those who have been a part of her growth – “For without them, I would not have found the ambition to pursue my education to the greatest extent, the passion to serve the community which has molded me, nor the motivation to dedicate my future to carry on the practices I execute presently.”

Katherine has decided to attend Johns Hopkins University to major in Biology as a Pre-Med student.

Elliana Kim
South Region
Chapter 667 – Sunny Hills High School
Adviser Hera Kwon

Elliana Kim is a student at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton.  In CSF she has been involved in a recycling project and Project Teddy Bear.  Besides CSF, Elliana is a member of the Key Club, the National Honor Society, and the Conservatory of Fine Arts.  She also started the Recognize Accept Dance Club, and is its current president. 

In her community Elliana has volunteered for Reimagine Orange County, the New Life Presbyterian Church youth group leadership, and the Always Dancing Project, offering free on-line dance classes to people with developmental disabilities.  As a dancer, Elliana participated in Backhaus, a modern dance and ballet camp, as well as the Fullerton College Dance Workshop where she learned jazz, jazz-funk, contemporary, African, and Latin dances.  Currently Elliana is an intern with Dr. Kit No at Biola University.  She has received many awards and recognitions, including being featured on ABC7 So Cal Strong and KNX1070 for being a person who creates a better community by going above and beyond to help others in need. 

Elliana’s CSF adviser, Hera Kwon, describes her as “…a gifted student and natural teacher” and “a remarkable young woman” who has “…cultivated her immense passion for dance to impact the world around her in unique and creative ways.” 

Sofia Martinez, the Chief of Children’s Programs & North County Operations at the non-profit organization Reimagine wrote in her letter of recommendation that “Elliana has a special spirit and is not like other teens her age.”  Ms. Martinez states that upon seeing Elliana teach young people to dance, she was impressed with her creativity to incorporate her love of dance and children with special needs.  Ms. Martinez goes on to say “Elliana is motivated, driven, resilient, and tenacious in all she does.” 

In her personal statement Elliana expresses how dance is her way of coping with stress, providing a therapeutic escape from the bustles of life, helping her focus on what is most important in her life:  strengthening relationships with others.  Overall Elliana explains that helping others learn to dance has helped her grow and become an advocating voice. 

Elliana has not yet decided on what university she will attend, but plans to major in Sociology.

Briana Gaskill
Central Coast Region
Chapter 666 – Saint Francis High School, Mountain View CA
Adviser MaryLynne Rodriguez

Briana Gaskill is a student at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View.  Briana is a board member in her CSF chapter.  With CSF she tutors multiple subjects, and has worked as a CSF photographer, videographer, fair representative, and spokesperson. 

Beyond CSF Briana is active in the National Honors Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Lancer Changemakers Student Leadership Group, and Campus Ministry.  She has been the Junior Varsity Football Manager, the yearbook staff photographer, and a part of the A Capella Performing Arts group.  Briana’s club memberships include the Business Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Financial Literacy Club, Career Club, Interact, and the Mind Body Spirit Club. In her community Briana is a Girl Scout, earning both her Silver and Gold Awards.  She has been a teen leader at vacation Bible School, an assistant director with Helping Hands Volunteers, and a Eucharistic Minister in her church.  Briana’s numerous awards include the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Saint Francis of Assisi Award for faith and service, and the Brother Eamon Schaffer Award for Service. 

MaryLynne Rodriguez, Brianna’s school guidance counselor, describes her as “…a bright light…a true leader…[who] exemplifies our CSF ideals 100%.  Always going the extra mile, whether it be in her academic studies, or in her community, she can be counted upon to show up and lead.” 

The president of Hope’s Corner, Leslie Carmichael wrote in her letter of recommendation, “Briana has demonstrated initiative, perseverance, and follow-through in activities she has led.  Briana has managed to excel in academics as well as make time to follow her heart to contribute to the community.” 

Briana begins her personal statement with a story of a small mosaic kit her mother had given her, and compares that mosaic to her life, “As I grew my mosaics grew with me, becoming more complex and beautiful.  My life is a collection of experiences, and each experience is like a tiny mosaic piece, and each piece is placed together to composed the mosaic of my life, and I learn from those experiences.  I add beautiful pieces to my mosaic as I do service for others.  My greatest life’s work is to share my time, talent, and treasure with others.  As I look to the future, I am in awe of the bright mosaic before me.” 

Briana has been accepted to Santa Clara University where she plans to study Business Management and Law.

Jolene Uribe
Central Region
Chapter 1227 – Sunnyside High School
Adviser Lydia Gonzalez

Jolene Angelique Uribe is a student at Sunnyside High School in Fresno and is the Vice-President of her CSF chapter. Activities include the HOPE Coalition Christmas Event; Gift Wrapping Event; Christmas Card Making Event; Christmas Supply Donation; Snack Bar Fundraiser; and UC Davis Education Field Trip. She has participated in the United Student Body, Academic Decathlon, Link Crew, AP Ambassador: Mentoring Program.

Jolene has also been a part of kNOw MORE as a domestic violence awareness leader and Don’t Laugh At Me: Bullying Prevention Program as a playwright and mentor. Her work with the UCSF Doctors Academy in the Labor and Delivery, the Mother’s Resource Center, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has provided her with opportunities to work with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.

Paula Peterson, Academic Program Coordinator for UCSF-Fresno, writes “She is a strong and confident young lady that leads by example for her classmates and is a student that stands in a positive light among the teachers and staff.” During her experience, she realized there were inequities in treatment and a lack of understanding amongst some patients. She states “This is when my passion for the medical field and advocacy grew and I knew that I wanted to be a part of the solution.” As a result, she researched and wrote a paper about the high rates of poor birth outcomes among African-American women.

She will continue her education and work for her community while studying at Fresno State University while studying biology hopes to eventually become an OBGYN.

Heidi Olmedo
South Central Region
Chapter 757 – John Glenn High School
Adviser Cynthia Johnson

Heidi Olmedo looks forward to attending San Diego State University next year and can not wait to be back on campus at John Glenn High School where she is the CSF President. 

Her adviser, Cynthia Johnson, mentions that “Heidi has been a role model and leader to all CSF members, as a native Spanish speaker, she recognized the need to reach out to the Spanish speaking students at our school and she not only visited classrooms to promote CSF, she held meetings both in Spanish and English.” 

As part of her time in CSF she helped to organize numerous fundraisers and drives including drives for Read Across America, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Wetlands preservation, to name but a few.  She has also participated in numerous clubs on campus and has played soccer for the school. 

“We have held a yearly Fiesta”, says Mariana Sinohui of St. Linus Church, “Ms. Olmedo has been a tremendous asset with organizing volunteers from her school’s CSF chapter. She was always eager to help, extremely organized, and willing to volunteer to help in any way.” 

After taking Anatomy in high school, she has decided to challenge herself when she arrives on the SDSU campus, and will begin studying Medicine.