CIF - CENTRAL COAST SECTION 333 Piercy Road San Jose, CA 95138 408-224-2994 www.cifccs.org April 22, 2020 CONTACT: Marco Sanchez FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Assistant Commissioner 2019-2020 CCS Scholar-Athletes Honored CCS Scholar-Athlete Scholarship The Central Coast Section has announced the 14 recipients of the CCS Scholar-Athlete Scholarships for the 2019-20 school year. These exceptional student-athletes were nominated by their schools and put forth to their leagues for selection. One male and one female were selected from each of the leagues that make up the CCS. The applications from these females and males were then submitted to the CCS Scholarship and Awards Committee. Below are 14 of the scholarship winners, who will each receive a $500 scholarship at the CCS Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast: Anushka Savla, Leigh High School Evan Franco, Branham High School Annika Lin, Carlmont High School Milad Shafaie, Carlmont High School Kylie Gutierrez, Pacific Bay Christian School Jeffrey Chin, Salinas High School Emily Melvin, Harbor High School Diego Sotto, Pacific Bay Christian School Melissa Lee, Fremont High School Paul Rosa, Wilcox High School Tevah Gevelber, Castilleja School Jeffrey Taylor, The King’s Academy Nicole Oliva, St. Francis High School Jassen Yep, Archbishop Mitty High School Joyce Ridgway Memorial Scholarship Joyce Ridgway served as a leader in the development of Women’s sports in the CCS and the CIF. Due to her tireless determination and dedication to enhance and expand the opportunities for girls in sport, a scholarship is offered annually to a deserving female high school senior who exemplifies the characteristics of leadership, determination, dedication, self-sacrifice and integrity that is reflective of Joyce Ridgway’s character and contributions. The following exceptional female student-athlete will be honored at the Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast as the winner of the $500 Joyce Ridgway Memorial Scholarship: Allison Li, Lynbrook High School Jeff Lamb Scholarship Jeff Lamb from Milpitas High School was a teacher, a coach and an athletic administrator during a career that spanned 42 years. During his tenure, he coached 77 different seasons, most of them in three sports; Girls Volleyball, Girls Basketball, and Softball. Coach Lamb provided guidance and support to his student- athletes on and off the court and field of play. Coach Lamb has been recognized as the State Athletic Director of the Year, State Volleyball Coach of the Year, CIF Model Volleyball Coach, CIF Distinguished Service Award and with the CCS Distinguished Service Awards. In all 42 years of service, Coach Jeff Lamb has held true to his passion and commitment to mentoring other coaches and athletic directors to help student athletes achieve and enjoy athletics at the highest level. Ideal candidates for the $500.00 Jeff Lamb Scholarship are student-athletes who have exhibited an interest in becoming a teacher/coach and eventually attain leadership in the Athletic Director role. David Ornelas Jackson, Silver Creek High School CCS Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year The CCS Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year were chosen from the pool of 16 student-athletes put forth by their leagues. Through a review of their applications as well as an interview, the following two student-athletes were chosen for this honor. These two students reflect the very best of the CCS. They are talented athletes within the Section, earning numerous accolades as well as celebrating team success. They are outstanding students with high GPA’s, impressive test scores, while taking rigorous course loads. They shine within their communities and serve others through volunteer work. The following two outstanding student-athletes will be honored as the CCS Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the CCS Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship at the CCS Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast: Sophia Sanico, York School Dillon Danner, Santa Cruz High School ************ CCS Female Athlete of the Year Award Winner Sophia Sanico, York School Varsity Sports: 4 years Boys Water Polo (No girls program at York), 1 year Volleyball, 3 years Soccer, 1 year Lacrosse and 3 years Swimming. Activities & Honors: 4 years Student Leadership, 4 years Orchestra, 4 years French Honor Society, 3 years Choir, 2 years Project Light Charity, Water Polo Co-Captain & First Team All- League, Rookie of the Year in Volleyball and Soccer, MVP Defense Soccer. GPA: 4.13 College plans: Considering UCLA, New York or Santa Clara University Major: History “Sophia is a sincere and kind young woman blessed with integrity, purpose, honesty, and a strong desire to help her fellow men and women. Sophia is a model citizen on our campus, in the classroom, in athletics, and most importantly in each day of her daily life. She is a spiritual, intellectual, and deeply moral young woman.” Steve A. Peters, Athletic Director. CCS Male Athlete of the Year Award Winner Dillon Danner, Santa Cruz High School Varsity Sports: 4 years Football, 4 years Basketball, and 4 years Baseball. Activities & Honors: School Site Council Student Representative, Student Activities Representative, Volunteer Assistant Youth Baseball and Recreational Basketball Team, Wharf to Wharf Race Volunteer, Scotts Valley Little League All-Stars Baseball Tournament Volunteer, PCAL-Cypress Offensive Football Player of the Year, 2019 Division 5 CCS Champions, Team Captain, 2ndTeam All-league Catcher, SCHS Athlete of the Year. GPA: 4.31 College plans: College of Idaho Major: Business Administration “In my 20 years as an Athletic Director I would put him at the top of my list as one of the most well-rounded student athletes I have ever had the pleasure of being around. Dillon’s academic honors are just as impressive as his athletic achievements.” Erik Redding, Athletic Director. Joyce Ridgway Scholarship Award Winner Allison Li, Lynbrook High School Varsity Sports: 3 years Water Polo, 2 years Basketball and 3 years Swimming Activities & Honors: California Scholarship Federation, Literary Magazine Vertigo, Spanish Club, Photography Club, 110 hours of community service through CSF for various charities. Coach’s Award and 4 years Scholar-Athlete. GPA: 4.0 College plans: UC Davis or UC Santa Barbara Major: Biological Sciences “Allison is very loyal to her teammates. To her, they have become a “smaller community or family during my high school years.” This is something I want for all of the student athletes on my campus. This is something that you get from participating in sports. I have seen Allison grow and mature for the last four years of high school. I cannot think of a better candidate for the Joyce Ridgway Memorial Scholarship.” Jennifer Griffin, Athletic Director. Jeff Lamb Scholarship Award Winner David Ornelas Jackson, Silver Creek High School Varsity Sports: 3 years Water Polo, 3 years Soccer, 2 years Track & Field, 1 Year Football Activities & Honors: Dozens of community service hours for various charities, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, All-League Water Polo, Soccer & Track, MVP Water Polo & Soccer, Team Captain Water Polo & Soccer. GPA: 3.1 College plans: DeAnza College Major: Sports Marketing/Management “David has embraced a belief, that, through sports, scholastic and community involvement, he can have the biggest impact on his personal growth and, in the long run, have a positive impact on the world. I believe David will make positive contributions to society and leave a lasting mark on the people he touches.” Eric Luescher, Athletic Director. Female Scholar Athlete- Blossom Valley Athletic League Anushka Savla, Leigh High School Varsity Sports: 3 years Soccer Activities & Honors: Senior Class President, ASB Fundraising Commission 3years, National Honor Society 2 years, National Arts Society, AP Scholar Athlete with Distinction, 2nd Team All-League GPA: 4.3 College plans: Undecided Major: Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering “As a leader within our school community she was elected by her Senior class to be the Senior Class President. Anushka has been a true joy and pleasure to watch over the last four years as she has grown as a player, person, and leader on Leigh's campus.” Jake Shaughnessy, Athletic Director. Male Scholar Athlete- Blossom Valley Athletic League Evan Franco, Branham High School Varsity Sports: 4 years Cross-Country & 4 years Track & Field Activities & Honors: 3 years National Honor Society, 3 years Peer Tutoring, AP Scholar Award, National Hispanic Scholar. 4-year CCS qualifier in Cross-Country and two-time State Qualifier. 4 years All-League in Cross-Country and Track & Field. GPA: 4.21 College plans: University of Arizona Major: Mechanical Engineering “During his time at Branham, Evan demonstrated all the characteristics of a superb student-athlete. He has represented himself, our programs, our league and our section with the highest level of dedication, sportsmanship and competitiveness. He is a shining example of what it means to succeed in the classroom and as an athlete.” Landon Jacobs, Athletic Director. Female Scholar Athlete- Peninsula Athletic League Annika Lin , Carlmont High School Varsity Sports: 4 years Tennis Activities & Honors: First Violinist Peninsula Youth Orchestra, Certificate of Merit Branch Honors Piano, DECA Co-Founder, Girls Scout of America Bronze Silver and Gold Awards, French Tutor, 2 years Tennis Team Captain, 3 years All-League Tennis, MVP, USTA 8-time champion. GPA: 4.47 College plans: Georgetown or UC Berkeley Major: Economics “Throughout