Judge Race, By Jondi Gumz Celebrating Thirty Years of Service

COMMUNITY NEWS Celebrating Thirty Years of Service

Congratulations to Firefighter Steve “Gathering” from page 15

“Our children deserve some normal childhood development,” she said, noting her view assumes no major COVID development. “I hope districts will work with me to develop a hybrid model.”

Santa Cruz County has 13 school districts, each one determining their own calendar, traditions and programs, plus the county Office of Education, which operates many alternative schools and provides education to children with special needs.

Newel said her only sway is that she can approve or disapprove medically fragile children from classroom learning.

Responding to a question, Newel said if someone at a school is diagnosed as positive, the school must be able to isolate that individual and then quarantine others that may have been exposed.

Friend noted that neither Finland nor Denmark had cluster outbreaks after reopening schools.

Asked if it would be OK for a group of 60 seniors to meet for lunch, Newel said a seniors’ lunch would not be safe “until we have a vaccine.”

Asked when a vaccine might be available, Newel said it may be as early as a year but not sooner. She said three vaccines are in Phase 3 clinical trials to assess their effectiveness on human volunteers. n •••

More info is at https://www.coronavirus preventionnetwork.org Vratny, who was presented with his 30-year service pin by Fire Chief Aaron Lowe at the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting on July 9.

The fire district posted the following on Facebook:

Steve is incredibly dedicated to his calling, going above and beyond in serving both his community and the surrounding areas.

Most recently, he spearheaded the Healthcare Heroes event, a multi-agency

Most recently, [Firefighter Steve Vratny] spearheaded the Healthcare Heroes event, a multi-agency effort to give thanks to healthcare workers across the county.

effort to give thanks to healthcare workers across the county.

He also coordinated the 911 Memorial Stair Climb Event at Seacliff State Beach, which raised funds for families of fallen

Aptos La Selva firefighter Steve Vratny (right) with Chief Aaron Lowe.

firefighters.

COMMUNITY NEWS Community Foundation Scholarship Winners

By Jenny Kurzweil

While the graduating class of 2020 was celebrating via virtual ceremonies and socially distant car parades, the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County honored the achievements of 25 remarkable students with scholarships established by generous and forwardthinking donors.

“Our scholarship donors never would have predicted a global pandemic or it’s terrible economic ramifications. Yet, in the midst of these extraordinarily challenging times, the gift of supporting education for the next generation is even more important,” said Foundation CEO Susan True. “As we celebrate the scholastic excellence of our award recipients, we also honor the power of these donors and their foresight to create A ptos resident Kris Kirby organized a Love for America walk on Fourth of July, and about 40 friends and neighbors joined her walking

endowed funds to enable scholarships in this pandemic — and forever.”

Here is a complete list of Community Foundation scholarship winners: •••

BARBARA J. THOMPSON SCHOLARSHIP

Noely Escalante-Lopez, Soquel High

Lane Ilstrup, Cypress Charter High Phoenyx Nist-Ferrare, Cypress Charter High

Reyna Ponce, Pajaro Valley High BOB AND BETSY DARROW SCHOLARSHIP Jalie Edgemon, San Lorenzo Valley High

Chloe Palmer, San Lorenzo Valley High the Aptos parade route on Soquel Drive, wearing red, white and blue and waving the American flag.

“Plain and simple. Community Isabelle Triulzi, San Lorenzo Valley High

LILLIAN BURTON SCHOLARSHIP

Bethany Lopez Rojas, Soquel High Isaac Wallace-Menge, SLV High

EMMETT AND ELSIE GEISER SCHOLARSHIP

Colby Gonzalez, Aptos High Omar Salazar, Pajaro Valley High Jacob Sandler, Aptos High

ERNEST COWELL SCHOLARSHIP

Ella Borsodi, Harbor High

HANK GARCIA JR. AND FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Jared Kiser, Aptos High

Luz Lopez-Reyes, Watsonville High Brianna Melgoza-Ortiz, Pajaro Valley High

Adam Tangonan, Pajaro Valley High Vianey Villanueva-Vega, Watsonville High members who love our country. Lots of honks from cars,” said Kirby, who called the Sheriff‘s Office beforehand and reported no problems arose. n

JACK DEBORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

RJ Kindred, San Lorenzo Valley High

JOHN L. TURNER SCHOLARSHIP

Ulises Lobato, Pajaro Valley High

JUDY ANTON WOMAN OF VALOR / LUPITA LOVES TO READ PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP

Lucia Meza, Harbor High

LOUIS J. AND MARY ELLEN SCHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP

Kieran Kahoano, Santa Cruz High Morgan Ohana, Santa Cruz High

R.H. BEEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Makai Norman, Santa Cruz High

SIMUNOVICH FAMILY AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

Love for America on Fourth of July

Belen Vargas Abarca, Watsonville High