Sofia Mirabal
South Region
Chapter 1402 – Heritage High School
Adviser Courtney Ziani

Sofia Mirabal is a student at Heritage High School in Menifee where she is the president of her CSF chapter.  She is also the president of the French Club, and Gifted and Talented Education.  Sofia is active in Mock Trial, Interact Club, Marine Biology Club, Avid Club, Key Club, Biomedical Club, and the National Honors Society.  As a scholar-athlete she participates in track and field, and runs cross-country.  Sofia has been inducted into the Société Honoraire de Français, where she participated in a service project writing thank you letters in French to essential workers in hospitals and grocery stores. 

In her community she is a Youth Leader at Saint Vincent Ferrer Church, a Youth Ambassador in People to People, a library volunteer, and a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.  Sofia has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Excellence in French Award, and Most Valuable Participant Award in the Riverside Mock Trial Program. 

Heritage High School’s CSF Adviser, Courtney Ziani, begins her letter of recommendation for Sofia thusly, “Sofia Mirabal is one of the most outstanding and impressive students I have ever encountered…she will make a great impact in our world..”. Ms. Ziani goes on to explain that, as CSF president, Sofia has helped increase their membership to over 300 students, and led on-line meetings of over 100 students, explaining “This is the most CSF student engagement I’ve seen in all the years I’ve advised this organization.” 

Sofia’s community letter of recommendation came from Allysha Mae Lucero Gillo, with the STVF Youth Ministry.  Ms. Gillo states, “Sofia’s contribution to our community is wonderful.  She has been a light to our ministry…not only very outgoing and joyful, but she is also a natural-born leader.” 

In her personal statement Sofia tells how a middle school forensic  lab sparked the desire for her to pursue the sciences, and become a forensic pathologist.  She explains, “What once seemed like a blind search in the fog, became a clear path in the road.  I aspire to be a medical scientist exploring cures for genetic diseases.”  To that end, Sofia hopes to attend Harvard University to major in bio-medicine/molecular biology and genetics.

Siobhán Murphy
Central Coast Region
Chapter 762 – Piedmont Hills High School
Adviser Kayla Novarro

Siobhán Murphy is a student at Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose, where she is the vice-president of her CSF chapter.  Her CSF activities include a pie bake, Take a Teacher to Lunch, Light the Night, Pirate Pancake Parade, and being the San Antonio Elementary School Holiday Craft Activities Coordinator for four years. 

At school Siobhán is active in the National Honors Society, the Indian Club Dance Team, the school’s drama department, and the choir department.  In the community she is a Girl Scout, where she earned both her Silver and Gold Awards, and has worked with the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, and 4H. 

CSF Co-Adviser, Kayla Navarro, calls Siobhán “…one of the most exceptional students I’ve encountered in my career;  I’ve seldom come across another who possesses her rare combination of intellect, integrity, and ingenuity.  An innate sense of justice and equity seems to run through her veins, giving energy and purpose to any project she puts her efforts toward;  her infectious empathy and optimistic demeanor inspires others to join in on her projects, putting power and people behind her passion.  Her strengths as a leader who models and continually meets her own high expectations have made her an agent of change on campus and beyond.  Long after she leaves this campus, Siobhán’s legacy will serve as a reminder of rich potential and youthful determination.” 

Siobhán’s Girl Scout leader, Nancy Hidaka, explains how Siobhán has the ability to put everyone at ease and explain everything in a different was so everyone can understand and be helped or step up to help. 

In her personal statement, Siobhán explains that, as a child, from donating profits from Christmas ornaments she made and sold, “From this moment, I knew I had the power to use my artistic talent for good and that began to shape my life’s mission of community service.”  Describing her service projects in Girl Scouts and CSF, Siobhán concludes by saying, “Community service is something that I know will be a part of my life forever…an important pillar of my life.” 

Siobhán plans to major in Animal Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 

Chloe Ross
Central Region
Chapter 1212 – Granite Hills High School
Adviser Stacy Vehrs

Chloe Ross is a student at Granite Hills High School in Porterville and is a CSF officer. Her CSF activities include the canned food drive and “Adopt a Family” Christmas project. CSF Advisor, Stacy Vehrs, notes Chloe was determined to continue the food drive this year even though the campus was closed. Thus, she placed boxes out for students when they came to campus for their pictures. Chloe also participated in the marching band, swim and tennis teams. Her work with the Rotary Interact Club involved working on the Special Needs Prom and Horseshoe decorating. 

According to Denise Marchant (Z Club Committee Chairman), Chloe is “deeply committed and determined in all she does, and most importantly, always does it with a smile and a kind heart.”  With the Z-Club, she has worked on the Porterville Women’s Shelter Valentine and Halloween Parties, the Ronald McDonald House Donation Drive, multiple Sock Drives, the City of Porterville Spring Clean-up and the Zonta Art & Wine Showcase.

Chloe writes “I found myself drawn to work with those in need. Seeing such devastation in my community was and is what continues to be the foundation of my passion to help others.”  Thus, as Founder and President of Heartwarmers, Chloe has made over 150 knot blankets for Project Homeless Connect, Central Valley Honor Flight, Visalia Child Welfare Services, and Central California Family Crisis Center.

Chloe intends to continue her education at Oregon State University to study political science.

Harsimer Bal
South Central Region
Chapter 186 – Moorpark High School
Adviser Candace Sunseri

Harsimer Bal plans to attend UCLA in the fall to study Biology, and eventually become a dermatologist.  While attending Moorpark High School, Simer is serving as her chapter’s president and has been working on several community service activities even during the current pandemic.  Heavily focused on both the community and the environment, she has spent countless hours working with the Surfrider Foundation and Ruben Castro Charities.

Candice Sunseri, her CSF Adviser states that “She has provided more service opportunities than ever before, even during the pandemic.”  Simer has also worked heavily with the Our Minds Matter (OMM) club. She recognized that there was an extreme lack of mental health resources at Moorpark and many students were suffering with depression and anxiety and worked hard, especially during the pandemic, to provide students a safe place to talk about their struggles while offering practical solutions to reduce stress and increase self-esteem. 

After scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT, we can not wait to see the problem she decides to tackle next.

Delaney Amarel
North Region
Chapter 210 – Yuba City High School
Adviser Keyana Mason

Delaney Amarel is a student at Yuba City High School in Yuba City California. She is heavily involved in FFA and 4-H activities as well as the Interact club and other clubs.  Not only does she play the violin and with the school’s orchestra, she also participates on the Softball team.  When not working at Reason Farms as a farm hand, she devotes a lot of her time to the Candy Cartons for Canines Fundraiser for NorCal Boxer Rescue where she has Raised and donated more than $10,000 to the program. 

“Delaney has been a part of countless volunteer and community service projects.” says Keyana Mason, her CSF Adviser, “Delaney always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She is a leader and a role model on our YCHS campus.”  One key part in Delaney’s life is her work with boxers and her support with boxer rescue. 

“Ms. Amarel creates over 100 pounds of toffee each year, markets and sells it successfully, and donates all of the profits to a charitable cause.”  comments Karen Heald, Executive Director of NorCal Boxer Rescue, “Not only does it show a special type of dedication and organizational skill to fundraise in the manner that Ms. Amarel has done, but it also shows a level of compassion for animals and a desire to provide a voice to those in our society that have no voice.” 

Next year, Delaney plans to continue her education at Perdue where she will major in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary studies.

Abigail Valencia
South Central Region
Chapter 1354 – Orcutt Academy High School
Adviser Leigh Bode

Abigail Valencia attends Orcutt Academy Charter High School in Santa Maria, California and currently serves as her chapter’s Co-President.  She has participated in numerous activities as part of her chapter, such as, Campus Clean ups’, CSF Food Drives, Halloween Festival, Crafts for Elementary School,  Personal Letters to Senior Citizens, and a Staff Holiday Gift Project. 

While she does spend a lot of time working with CSF, she also participates in numerous other clubs on campus like, Eco-Friendly Club , Latinos Unidos Club, National Honor Society, ASB, Art Club, and Doggie Do Good, to name just a few. 

“Distance learning has been a challenge for educators and students alike.”, says Leigh Stephenson Bode, her CSF adviser, “Abby emerged immediately as the bright spot in this year.” Cesar De Alba comments “it has become apparent to me that she is a great example of a student who is committed to academics, as well as to growing in her athletic, and personal life.” 

In the fall, Abigail is considering attending UCLA, or Stanford, or perhaps Berkeley, but one thing is certain, she plans to go into Elementary Education.