Gilroy residents Lekha and Kavi Duvvoori were recently
recognized for exceptional academic aptitude by the Johns Hopkins
University Center for Talented Youth.
HONORS
Duvvooris recognized
Gilroy residents Lekha and Kavi Duvvoori were recently recognized for exceptional academic aptitude by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.
Lekha, who just completed third grade at Mount Madonna School, received an award for high honors in the International Mathematics and Verbal Talent Search for being among the highest scoring participants in California this year.
Kavi, who just finished 8th grade at MMS, received an impressive spatial ability award for placing in the top 7 of the test takers in the nation. He also was recognized with distinction and high honors on the SAT for placing at the 98th percentile nationally for college bound seniors in the verbal section, and in the 94th percentile in the math.
Ashley England
Ashley England of Morgan Hill made the Dean’s List for the spring 2009 semester at Loyola University New Orleans.
Alex Engelhardt
Alex Engelhardt has been selected to participate in the Counselor in Training Program at Boy Scout Camp Chawanakee located at Shaver Lake. Alex will be instructed on how to lead merit badge sessions for younger scouts, while having the opportunity to earn his own merit badges. Alex is currently a Life Scout, just one step away from becoming an Eagle Scout, and has earned 25 merit badges, more than the required amount to become an Eagle Scout.
Alex, son of Don and Julie Engelhardt of Hollister, is a member of Troop 436 in Hollister, and he is one of four Boy Scouts from San Benito County who will be attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia for 2010.
Nick Marinovich
Nick Marinovich, a 2007 graduate of Gilroy High School, will be leaving for Basic Training in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C. When he finishes Basic Training he will be sent to the U.S. Army Band School. After completion of training will be assigned to one of the 34 different U.S. Army Bands located through out the world.
Isabella Diaz
Isabella S. Diaz, a resident of Gilroy, has graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Cum Laude. She was also named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester. Boston University is the fourth largest independent university in the United States, with an enrollment of more than 29,000 students in its 17 schools and colleges.
Jethen Pandian
Boston University awarded academic degrees to 5,863 students in May 2009. Among the graduates was Jethen J. Pandian, of Morgan Hill, who received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, Summa Cum Laude.
Boston University is the fourth largest independent university in the United States, with an enrollment of more than 29,000 students in its 17 schools and colleges.
Clare Albright
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., named Clare Albright to the Dean’s List for the spring 2009 semester. Clare is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robin L. Albright of Corralitos. A student must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale to earn academic honors at Saint Mary’s.
Katherine P. Roberts
Katherine Roberts, of Gilroy, became a United States citizen on June 26.
Katherine came to the U.S. in 2005 from Colombia and settled in Gilroy. Not speaking English, she enrolled in ESL classes at Gavilan Community College. Feeling her English was not progressing as fast as she had wanted, Katherine enrolled in Studies in American Language at San Jose State University. She then returned to Gavilan and completed English 1A. Katherine studied the U.S. civics requirements and applied for U.S. Citizenship. Katherine took the “Oath of Allegiance” June 26, 2009. She was chosen at the ceremony to lead the Pledge of Allegiance for the approximately 100 new citizens who also received their citizenship.
Katherine is the daughter of Concepcion Ortega and Carlos Polo of Cartagena, Colombia.
Kerstin Jefferson
Kerstin Jefferson of Morgan Hill received bachelor’s degree in nursing during spring commencement ceremonies for East Texas Baptist University May 2, 2009, in Baker Auditorium of Ornelas Spiritual Life Center.
ENGAGEMENTS
Weatherly/Rzepiela
Hollister residents Carol and John Weatherly announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter Leanne Weatherly to Jeff Rzepiela.
Leanne is a 1994 graduate of San Benito High School and a graduate of San Jose State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance. Leanne teaches band and choir at a middle school in Mountain View.
Jeff is a 1985 graduate of Loyola Academy and an alum of Duke University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Jeff later attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a master’s and doctorate in chemistry. Jeff plays saxophone with several jazz band groups.
The couple was engaged at Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley Aug. 30, 2008. The wedding is scheduled for July 11 at St. Benedict’s Church in Hollister. The ceremony will be officiated by Fr. Tom Rzepiela, Jeff’s uncle. The reception will be held at the Leal Vineyards barrel room.
Galvan/Rojas
Bobby Galvan and Raelene Rojas are engaged to be married.
Bobby, son of Robert and Lorie Galvan of Hollister, is a graduate of San Benito High School and is currently employed by the state of California.
Raelene, daughter of Ray and Rosa Rojas of Hollister, is a graduate of San Benito High School and is employed at Hazel Hawkins Hospital as an ultrasonographer.
The couple were engaged in May 2008 and after nine years of dating, plan to exchange vows at an outdoor ceremony and reception at Leal Vineyards in Hollister Sept. 19.
WEDDING
Farotte/Heenan
Elizabeth Anne Farotte and Joshua Seven Heenan were married April 25, 2009 at Mission San Juan Bautista.
Elizabeth, daughter of Gordon and Rosalind Farotte of Gilroy, is a contemporary dancer with ODC Dance San Francisco. She attended Presentation High School and UC Irvine.
Joshua, son of Michael and Christine Heenan of South San Francisco, is a video game producer for LucasArts. He attended El Camino High School.
The couple celebrated their marriage with family and friends April 25. The beautiful settings of the Old Mission and Christopher Horse Ranch enhanced the day. Elizabeth and Josh were honored and appreciative to be joined by so many, and fondly remembered Elizabeth’s grandfathers, Anthony Maida and Gordon Farotte Sr., and Josh’s father, Mike.
BIRTHS
Dominic Michael Marini
Dominic Michael Marini was born June 8, 2009 at Good Samaritan Hospital to Michael and Michele Marini of Gilroy. He weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
Devon Riley Cox
Devon Riley Cox was born May 9, 2009 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Jessica and Mitch Cox of Dos Palos. She weighed 6 pounds.
