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.