CSF Announces the 2025–2026 Seymour Award North Region Finalists

The North Seymour Finalists at the North Region Conference hosted by Chapter 1366 River Valley High School in Yuba City, CA.
Many thanks to CSF Adviser Eric Ricketts, the CSF chapter members and Principal Lee McPeak for hosting the North Region CSF/CJSF Conference.

Jatin Agnish – Chapter 1366 River Valley High School
Adviser Eric Ricketts
Principal Lee McPeak
Yuba City Unified School District

Jatin Agnish been a four year member of CSF at  River Valley High School but was elected Secretary and President of this CSF chapter.  He has been a part of many activities that has kept him busy the last four years. Jatin was an instrumental part of the Virtual Leadership Conferences for CSF.  He speaks three languages, Hindu, Punjabi and English. Honored with the Principals Award since the freshmen year, with a 4.0 or higher. Speaking about grades, classes and his transcripts he has completed over 430 credits and is ahead of the college track by accomplishing an AA at graduation.

In his personal statement he says that “service gives him purpose”. That is exactly what CSF is about, success in everyday life of being a student, a family member, participating in clubs and organizations and giving back to your community. He enjoys playing basketball and volleyball and a little gaming.

Jatin has applied to Chico State, Sacramento State, and all the UC’s. If he could pick any It would be UC Davis or UCLA. He wants to major in Human Biology as this became a passion of his since going through health issues and ultimately open heart surgery in 2014. Jatin’s favorite ice cream is vanilla! Wherever life takes him, he will make a great asset to any campus.

Julia Bradshaw – Chapter 301 CK McClatchy High School
Adviser Elissa Downey
Principal Andrea Egan
Sacramento City Unified School District

Julia Bradshaw is the current president of both CSF and ASB as well. She speaks as a leader throughout her Green Lobbyist role representing the Friends of the River. She found out early on she wanted to become a doctor with her focus that carries her through many of the facets of life that she participates in. Across her advisors and community recommendations both commented on how she can weave her skills, talents, and extreme discipline to become whatever she wants to be.

In her four year intensive academic program that focuses on world culture, in 2025, she participated in Vanderbilt General Surgery Residential Summer Program and Stanford Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience. In her spare time she belongs to the French Club, became the founder and president of the Sustainable Clothing Club, the Hiking Club and has been awarded the Gold and Silver Girls Scout Awards. She is a member of the CK McClatchy High School Soccer Team.

Julia volunteers at Lake Mary, but also a part of the Truckee Tahoe Humane Society. During the winter months you may find her teaching a children’s skiing class. She hopes to major in Neuroscience or Biology and planning pre-med. She has applied to 16 colleges that include: UCLA, UC Berkley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Long Beach State, University of Oregon, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt, Duke, University of Washington. If she could pick her top two would be UCLA or Berkley.

Julia loves to sew and quilt and she has won Blue Ribbons at her local fair. I have a great hope that there will be more Blue ribbons in her future.

Katelyn Copper – Chapter 1356 Core Butte High School
Adviser Christine Henderson
Principal Matt Harvey
Butte County Office of Education

Katelyn Copper has been an active member of CSF since her freshman year.  Currently in the role of President she has also served as Secretary and Vice President.  She has volunteered at Career Days, Children Ministries, Participated in a bake sale to help fund Dorothy’s House and Hurricane Victims and helped with college tours.  She is a member of the Track and Field and Cross Country Teams. 

To take it a little further she has volunteered for Park Fire Response and is a leader for SCOUT (Success, Connection, Outreach, Unity and Teamwork). Katelyn has been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Membership, College Board National Recognition Program Award, FRA Americanism Essay Contest, Just Poetry and Live Poets Society of New Jersey Topical Winner. 

Katelyn is a Cross Country American Conference Award winner, has brought home a few more awards for Track and Field and has won the Lynx Spirit award twice.  In her free time you may see her hiking Mt. Lassen or Shasta. 

She will become a Psychologist or a School Counselor and plans to attend Butte College and transfer to Liberty Grand Canyon or Colorado Christian University when she finishes all the general education requirements. 

Katelyn wrote her first book at 13 years old and if she looks really young, she is… she will be only 16 when graduates.

Verania Cornejo Perez – Chapter 156 Vallejo High School
Adviser Julie Czapiewski
Principal Beyonka Marshall
Vallejo City Unifed School District

For the past four years, Verania has been a member of CSF and has held the position of Vice President and this year is the President of her chapter at Vallejo High School. She has kept busy centered around holiday fundraisers along with being a member of the Leos Club, Film Club and Key Club.  She also participated in HOSA, SkillsUSA, Trio Upward Bound, and Students Rising Above. 

After completing her own CPR Training Verania decided to help train students.  She assisted the Health Pathway outreach by presenting healthcare pathways to students and families with guidance and translation support.  

Verania likes doing nails, golf and watching Formula One. When asked what type of vehicle she would want to drive (and truthfully expecting something like a ferrari or lamborghini)  she says she would like a jeep!  In addition to all of this, she works at the Shoe Palace. 

Looking forward, she has applied to 19 colleges that includes UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Saint Mary’s, Stanford, Purdue, Hartwick, University of Nevada, UOP, to name just a few.  When asked if she could only pick one, it is Stanford.  She would like to pursue a career in medicine. 

In her personal statement she gives her parents the praise for instilling in her perseverance, humility and service.  And it is clear that their sacrifices created her opportunities.  Whatever she decides she will do well in any avenue she chooses.

Angel Jariwala – Chapter 120 Placer High School
Adviser Suzanna Gardetto
Principal Jaime Jackson
Placer Union High School District

A CSF member, Angel has served as treasurer for the Placer High School chapter . She is involved in activities with Placer High Leo Club, winning the coveted District Leo of the Year. She has been a member of the Placer High Key Club all four years. Angel has put on her running shoes and ran for the cross country team and became team captain in her senior year.

Among her many awards she has been awarded the Best Listener Award in her AP English Class. She is a 2025 American Legion California Boys and Girls State Delegate and she served as the City Treasurer and served on the State City Fair Committee.

Her CSF advisor, Suzanna Gardetto, writes, “Angel is an excellent student who embodies intellectual curiosity and academic rigor, particularly in sciences”, and goes on to say that Angel is one of the most dedicated and promising students that she has encountered in over 34 years of teaching.

Angel has applied to 7 colleges, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Cal Poly SLO, UC Davis, UC Berkley, UC Santa Cruz and UC Irvine. At this time she would choose Cal Poly or UC Berkley. Angel has been waiting to make the final decision but knows she will major in Industrial Engineering and would like to specialize in integrating systems, AI placements, and Operation Research.

In her personal statement she says her high school journey isn’t a perfect plan with every step laid out, but more like a treasure hunt. Just like integrating systems and building sustainable efficient systems, Angel will build her journey with success stories along the way!

Alyssa Lopez – Chapter 1210 Windsor High School
Adviser Julie Cordell
Principal Danielle Buckman
Windsor Unified School District

Alyssa has been a member of CSF for three years,  and a four year member and officer of ASB for Windsor High School. She has had many volunteer activities at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy Department, the S-Club, Best Buddies Program, the Cancer Awareness Club and the Student Organ Donor Advocates also known as SODA.

She has been awarded the All Academic Award, Ranked number 1 student and is at the top of the senior class. Alyssa has been dual enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College since her sophomore year. She received the State Seal of Biliteracy in 2025.

Alyssa is a Varsity soccer player, recognized as an All League Defensive MVP and Second Team All League. Her advisor, Julie Cordell, says that her ability to juggle college level courses with her sports commitment, all her extracurricular activities and volunteer work is stunning.

There is no wonder why she has already committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she has been offered a Soccer Scholarship. Alyssa is not only talented in soccer skills, but will major in biological science and looks to become a physician or an anesthesiologist in her future.

A note from Alyssa’s personal statement says that service became more than a responsibility, it became a way to engage with the world intentionally, understanding that every contribution has significance.

Komal Mehmi – Chapter 551 Enterprise High School
Adviser Katy Knight
Principal Ryan Johnson
Shasta Union High School District

Komal is the President of her CFS chapter at Enterprise High School this year. She has participated in Acts of Kindness, Cookies for Veterans, many fundraisers for the clubs that help promote the opportunity for service hours. She has been a volunteer for peer tutoring on campus to help those students that were struggling. Komal takes the time to be a leader in the yearbook staff as she is the editor in Chief and Photo Editor.

She has taken on an internship at Shasta Regional Center Hospital and completes 4 hours per week helping in the Orthopedic and Neuro floors by taking vital signs, bed changes, many talks with patients and answering call lights. When completing in May, she will have her certification in Medical Assisting.

While this may be enough, Komal presses on and is a vital part of the Music Department and Link Crew. Komal is on the Varsity Softball team. This year she was asked to serve on the Restorative Justice Panel at the request of her principal to address student conflicts and work on resolutions. She received a District Award to recognize her character and involvement and not to mention her 4.26 GPA. She also works part time at Baskin Robbins. She is also a photographer and has noted that she has been a part of people’s elopement and wedding.

CSF Advisor Katy Knight says Komal is an effective communicator in all things, leading her to develop a trustworthiness that is not only second-nature but is genuine and dependable.

Komal has applied to UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UCIrvine, UCLA, UC Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University, CSU Eastbay and CSU San Fransisco. If you ask her where she would like to spend the next four years, she would choose UC Davis. She will major in the Medical Field, possible Psychology, Public Health or even Radiology.

In the last line of her personal statement she says she is someone who leads by making others feel seen, valued and essential to the community.

Tania Navarrete – Chapter 119 Napa High
Adviser Ana Andrilla
Principal Ean Ainsworth
Napa Valley Unified School District

Tania has been involved with CSF during her four years at Napa High School. She has been the Public Relations Manager and now the President of the club. She is a student representative for her Napa High School Site Council. She is involved in many activities and fundraisers through the last four years. Here are a few: Panda Express, Mary’s Pizza, Heritage Eats, Habit, and OHM Coffee Roasters. Tania has been part of the Shearer Tutoring Program for elementary students that need a little extra help. She is involved with the OLE Health Free as a volunteer and translator.

Tania volunteered at the Napa Valley County Library, and Ruthless Kindness Veterinary Clinic. She is a member of the Lacrosse Team and Captain of the Cross-Country Team and received the Coaches Award this season. She is a member of the AVID 9, Mock Trial Club, Leadership Academy and Bring Change to Mind Club. She participates in 4-H, and still has time to volunteer for Napa Valley Marathons and Run for Cancer. She has been on the Presidents List, Grizzly of Year, Excellence in World Language, Lamp of Knowledge all 4 years, as well asHonor Roll and will be this year’s Valedictorian. In addition, College Board First Generation, College Board School Recognition and AP Scholar with Distinction.

Her high school counselor says that her ability to positively influence others is not just centered around academics. She’s an artist who creates engaging content. NuclearSprings has invited her to help bring awareness to nuclear disarmament. Tania hopes to create a sculpture that showcases the dangers of atomic explosion. She also participates in a podcast that discusses mental health.

Although she has applied to UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Long Beach, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, USC, Pepperdine, Stanford, her 1st choice would be UC Berkeley and major in Civil Engineering. She decided this because of her father and his ability to navigate irrigation and real life construction.

Heaven Ortega – Chapter 242 Wheatland Union High School
Adviser Shawna Hulsey
Principal Brandon Moore
Wheatland Union High School District

Heaven has been a member of CSF for three years at Wheatland Union High School. Heaven is the Key Club Founder and President and a member of the Student School Board and Superintendent Student Advisory Council. She holds the office of Treasurer in the National Honors Society too!

Heaven is an integral part of the PRIDE In the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities showcasing her dedication to inclusion. She has participated in conferences on foster youth rights and educational policy reform. She generously shares her knowledge by tutoring her peers in Math, English Science and Spanish. Tony Lopez, Wheatland Union High School District and President of the Board of Trustees, says that Heaven possesses a strong, authentic voice, one that champions equity, inclusion and opportunity for all.

From her letter of recommendation, personal statement and the people you have met so far, Heaven is, and will be, an asset to any program, school classroom, club, organization or law firm. Not only do her peers hold her in high regard, Heaven has made an impression on teachers, advisers, principals, superintendents and other leaders.

Heaven has applied to over 20 colleges! As of now she has been accepted to: UC Irvine, UC Berkley, UCLA, Bucknell University, Pepperdine, Regis University, San Jose State, CSU Humboldt, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly and just this week got good news that a few more will add to the list. She has a few more weeks to decide, but will major in Political Science and she wants to be a prosecutor.

Whichever school she chooses, they will be very lucky to get her.

Madelyn Trull – Chapter 1210 Windsor High School
Adviser Julie Cordell
Principal Danielle Buckman
Windsor Unified School District

Madelyn has been an active member of CSF for the past three years at Windsor High School. She has held the office of Vice President and Executive Coordinator of ASB for Windsor High School. She has been co-president of Committee for Change for 4 years. She became a leader in the Family Career and Community Leaders of America that teaches cooking classes to children during the Sunday farmer’s market.

Madelyn is Secretary Pro-Tempore of the Senate since 2024 and is recognized as one of four students on the Senate floor awarded the Outstanding Lobbyist. She is a member of the California Boys and Girls State, American Legion and awarded Outstanding Citizen. She also likes to swim. Madelyn is the varsity swim captain for Windsor High School. She is the recipient of the College Board AP Scholar of Distinction and AP Core Scholarship.

Crystal Sowards of Sonoma County Family YMCA, says that Madelyn’s leadership is rooted in integrity, responsibility and a genuine desire to make systems better for everyone. Madelyn learned at the age of 7 when she was stirring some “mac and cheese” with one hand and consoling her younger sister with her left all the while keeping up with her 11 siblings that range from 26 years of age to 1 ½ year old twins that she wanted to have a career in leadership.

Madelyn has applied to All UC’s, Penn State, Montana State, Both Cal Poly’s. If she had to pick now, UC San Diego would be her choice. She will major in Public Policy specializing in Leadership or Pro Civic Engagement.