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.

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.

Andrew Hall
South Region
Chapter 1234 – Palm Valley School
Adviser Susie Zachik

Andrew Hall is a student at Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage.  He is the current CSF president on that campus, and has participated in CSF Honor Student Tutoring, Poetry on the Green, a candy combo fundraising sale, as well as a CSF Community Car Wash.  Andrew is involved in the Outdoor Club, where he is the president, ASB, Film Club, the Asian Cultural Club, and is the yearbook Co-Editor in Chief.  As a scholar-athlete, Andrew plays on the varsity basketball, baseball, and golf teams, and runs cross-country. 

Susanne Zachik, Palm Valley’s CSF adviser describes Andrew as academically “…organized, prompt, and a self-advocate asking for clarification and ways to improve…he is well-liked and respected.”  Ms. Zahcik goes on to say that it is outside the classroom that Andrew shines the brightest, jumping into “…a plethora of campus activities…where he is dependable, individualistic, and diligent.”  Kelly Levy, the Charities & Marketing Director at the BIGHORN Golf Club has known Andrew for six years, and talks about Andrew thusly, “I can assure you Andrew not only has exemplary skills when serving in his community, but he also has a positive attitude while volunteering…[he] has proven leadership through his talents and abilities to guide and support others.” 

“I aim to bring joy to everyone who wants or needs it,” states Andrew in his personal statement, while explaining that CSF is a great platform for him to do this, taking every opportunity he has been given to participate in CSF events.  Andrew tasked himself with making his senior year as enjoyable as possible, despite COVID, and sees himself as being “…responsible for bringing a sense of community to students who are at home during this pandemic by allowing them watch and participate in events.”  Andrew concludes that this has taught him that he can truly change his community for the better —- “one smile at a time”. 

Andrew hopes to attend either UC San Diego or UC Santa Cruz, and major in Business Administration.