From the (organization formerly known as the) Young Men’s Christian Association honoring a local high school teacher, to champagne, chocolate and a famous ivory-tickler planning an event to support an area football club, to students making the grade elsewhere, this week’s LOCAL SCENE is chalk full of interesting community tidbits…
Local teacher honored by YMCA
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced recently that Annameekee Hesik, an English teacher and basketball coach at Los Gatos High School, has been selected as the Positive Cultural Identity award recipient for the 2023 YMCA Project Cornerstone’s Asset Champion Awards.
Hesik will be honored at a breakfast on March 17 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Chosen for helping young people feel supported, comfortable and proud of their identity, Hesik is a celebrated role model who is a constant positive presence on the Los Gatos High School campus, including being an advisor for the school’s Gay Straight Alliance and a panel moderator for LGHS “Celebrate Diversity Week,” the district stated in a press release.
When Hesik was looking for books to bring into her classroom library, she looked for those that would be representative of her LGBTQ students. When she couldn’t find the specific books she wanted, she wrote them herself by creating “The You Know Who Girls” series, which has a diverse cast and focuses on one high schooler’s journey of coming out.
“I have had the opportunity to speak to Annameekee’s clubs and classes on multiple occasions and can attest to the inclusive and genuine ambiance she so naturally creates,” Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “She inspires students and staff and continuously serves as a role model for both youth and adults on campus.”
The YMCA Project Cornerstone Asset Champions Awards event will be held for the first time in person in four years. Award recipients include organizations and individuals who support Project Cornerstone’s mission of building a support network so that young people can grow into healthy, caring and responsible adults.
Registration and ticket sales are available at assetchampions2023.eventbrite.com and close on March 2.
Concert benefits Saratoga Foothill Club
The Saratoga Foothill Club Historic Landmark Foundation (SFCHLF) will hold a benefit concert featuring renowned pianist, Katya Grineva, at the Saratoga Foothill Club, 20399 Park Place, on Feb. 17.
With the theme, “Champagne, Chocolates and Katya – A Happy Hour Benefit Concert,” the program will begin with a champagne reception at 5pm followed by the recital from 5:30-6:30pm. Timing of this concert allows for arrival during daylight and encourages dinner plans in Saratoga restaurants following the program.
Tickets are $55 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/509674338667. Capacity will be limited, as seats are spaced in the interest of current health protocols.
Proceeds benefit the preservation of the Saratoga Foothill Club clubhouse, a Julia Morgan designed historic building.
“Please take this opportunity to help the SFCHLF while enjoying a celebrated artist who has had the distinction of being the only solo female pianist performing 20 times at Carnegie Hall,” a spokesperson stated. “Champagne, chocolates and a romantic repertoire await you—a perfect February offering.”
Rapal named to WPI’s Dean’s List
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) announced that Jamie Rapal of Los Gatos, a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Computer Science, was named to the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the fall 2022 semester.
A total of 2,069 undergraduate students achieved the criteria required for WPI’s fall 2022 Dean’s List. The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differs from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average. Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.
Bowcock recognized by University of Alabama
Alexis Bowcock of Los Gatos was named to The University of Alabama Dean’s List for fall semester 2022.
A total of 12,791 students enrolled during the fall semester at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).
