Nick Hernandez and Michelle Hager exchanged their wedding vows
at St. Mary Catholic Church in Gilroy on Jan. 27, 2007. The couple
celebrated their marriage with 100 friends and family, and the
reception dinner took place at The Golden Oak Restaurant in Morgan
Hill.
WEDDING
Hager/Hernandez
Nick Hernandez and Michelle Hager exchanged their wedding vows at St. Mary Catholic Church in Gilroy on Jan. 27, 2007. The couple celebrated their marriage with 100 friends and family, and the reception dinner took place at The Golden Oak Restaurant in Morgan Hill.
Michelle, daughter of Dan and Karen Hager of Gilroy, received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, and she now teaches English at San Jose State University. Nick, son of Joe and Gail Hernandez of San Jose, also received his bachelor’s degree in English, and he works as an Insurance Adjuster in Salinas.
The happy couple honeymooned in Orlando, Fla., at the Walt Disney World Resort. They reside in Gilroy.
ANNIVERSARY
Gwinns Celebrate 60 Years
When the young man in a Navy sailor uniform pedaled his brother’s bicycle to the adjoining prune ranch during Christmas leave 1943 to check out the new girl in town, who knew it would lead to the 60th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. James Gwinn.
James (Jim) Gwinn, a 1943 graduate of Gilroy High School, and Thomasina (Tommy) Field, a 1945 graduate of Live Oak High School, were treated to dinner July 4 by their daughters Kathryn Minckler of Carefree, Ariz., and Patricia Jessen of Cupertino. Also present were sons-in-law Bill Minckler and Axel Jessen, and grandchildren Maret and A.J. Jessen. Grandsons Ross and T.J. Minckler were unable to attend.
The couple was married July 4, 1947, in the chapel at Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, where Jim was completing his operational flight training after receiving Navy Wings and Commission. Following 21 years at various commands and retiring as Commander in 1964, the couple moved to Denver, Colo., where Jim flew 22 years for United, retiring as Captain in 1986.
One year ago, the Gwinns returned to the area of their youth and now reside – again – in San Martin.
HONORS
Melissa Morales
Staff Sgt. Melissa Morales, of Gilroy, arrived home from Germany Aug. 1, completing seven years of duty, including a 5-month deployment as a medical technician in a military hospital in Iraq. Her most recent assignment was aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 hospital aircraft that treated and transported wounded soldiers to Ramstien Air Force Base in Germany from the front lines.
Local students make Dean’s List
The following Azusa Pacific University students made the academic Dean’s List at APU. They are honored for a fall semester 2007 academic standing of 3.5 or better grade-point average.
– Amy A. Van Gundy, of Gilroy, is a graduate of Gilroy High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Van Gundy. Van Gundy is an English major.
– Nicholas J. Fong, of Gilroy, is a graduate of Poiema School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fong. Fong is an art major.
– Dominic V. Laing, of Morgan Hill, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Barrie A. Laing. Laing is a cinema and broadcast arts major.
Evan Hatakeyama
Early in 2001, his senior year at Live Oak High, Evan Hatakeyama declared he would attend college to become a chemical engineer. True to his word, after four years at UC San Diego, in 2005, he emerged with his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
After considering several offers for both employment and post graduate studies, in the fall of 2005 Evan decided to take the academic path by accepting a research position at University of Colorado at Boulder. Then, earlier this year, the University of Colorado’s Department of Chemical Engineering accepted Evan to enter their PhD Program leading to a doctorate degree in chemical engineering.
The change from the constant pleasant climate of San Diego to the definitive four seasons at Boulder has been as eye opening experience for Evan as is this climb up the academia ladder. Evan has apparently found his niche. He has already co-authored several articles published or to be published in scientific journals and has his name credited on a number of patents. When not conducting research or teaching, he enjoys the outdoor activities which Boulder has to offer.
Hilleary Ekberg
Hilleary Ekberg, a resident of Santa Clara County, was sworn in as a temporary forensic autopsy technician (on-call). She is a graduate of Gilroy High School and is enrolled at California State University, Stanislaus, where she is studying for a degree in criminal justice. Ekberg works in the food service industry.
Jason Sanchez
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Jason A. Sanchez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
He is the son of Rudy and Linda Sanchez of Hollister.
Sanchez graduated in 1998 from San Benito High School and received a bachelor’s degree in 2004 from California State University Monterey Bay.
