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Stretch of Highway 101 Renamed for Trailblazing Astronaut Sally Ride • PVPSA Names Jasmine Najera Interim CEO • New PVUSD Administrators
COMMUNITY NEWS
Stretch of Highway 101 Renamed for Trailblazing Astronaut Sally Ride
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On June 3, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) hosted a formal ceremony to designate a portion of State Highway 101 in the West San Fernando Valley as the Dr. Sally Ride Memorial Highway.
A beloved American hero, Dr. Ride grew up in Encino and in 1983 became the first American woman in space. She died in 2012 at age 61 after battling pancreatic cancer. Dr. Ride is also the earliest space traveler to be recognized as part of the LGBTQ+ community. “As the first
Sally Ride American woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride made history when she shattered the highest glass ceiling,” said Gabriel. “A proud Valley native, her legacy continues to inspire young people—especially young women and girls—to reach for the stars, and I am immensely proud to help rename a portion of the 101 in Encino in her memory.”
A graduate of Stanford University, Dr. Ride began her professional career as an astronaut in 1978 when she was selected
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Joyce Ride, Dr. Ride’s mother, attend the ceremony designating a portion of Highway 101 as the Dr. Sally Ride Memorial Highway.
as one of only 35 people out of the 8,000 applicants to be part of NASA Astronaut Group 8.
In 1983, she became the first American woman in space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Challenger for STS-7. Dr. Ride’s second space flight was STS-41-G in 1984. She remains the youngest American astronaut to have traveled to space, having done so at age 32.
“Sally’s message to any kid going into STEM was to reach for the stars,” said Reverend Dr. Bear Ride, Dr. Sally Ride’s sister. “This event dedicating a portion of Highway 101 to Sally’s legacy and achievements was another stretch in the reaching for those very stars.”
Ride encountered obstacles throughout her career, including genderbiased media questions about whether the flight would affect her reproductive organs or whether she cried when the crew found malfunctions. Through all the difficulties, Ride remained resilient, insisting that she saw herself only one way—as an astronaut.
Not only did Ride serve NASA in space on two flights, but she also was the only person to be appointed to help investigate both the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.
Ride retired from NASA in 1987 and began to teach, dedicating herself to encouraging children, especially young girls, to love science.
In 2001, Ride and her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, co-founded Sally Ride Science, an education company devoted to helping kids pursue science. See https:// sallyridescience.ucsd.edu/ n
PVPSA Names Jasmine Najera Interim CEO New PVUSD Administrators
Jasmine Najera, clinical intern supervisor at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, will become interim CEO beginning Aug. 15, succeeding Erica Padilla-Chavez, who is now CEO at Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.
A licensed clinical social worker, she worked with the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County from 2006 to 2021.
She has experience in Adult Behavioral Health and Children’s Behavioral health and has been a Mental Health Client Specialist, Forensic Services Supervisor, Forensic Services Program Manager, and Children’s Behavioral Health Supervisor.
She serves on the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, and chairs the Monarch Services Board.
At the direction of the Board, PVPSA will conduct a national search for a permanent CEO.
“I hope to provide a sense of stability and support for the team during this transition and look forward to learning and growing professionally as well,” Najera said.
Padilla-Chavez said, “As bittersweet as it is to be leaving, I am comforted that PVPSA will be in incredibly capable hands.” n
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Since 1991 PVPSA has provided health education, mental health services, substance abuse and intervention and prevention services, and direct counseling to the students and families of the Pajaro Valley. On July 1, Watsonville High School and Starlight Elementary School will welcome new administrators. Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the appointments at their meeting, filling vacant positions. •••
Watsonville High School welcomes Jeff Daucher as a new assistant principal. He has been in education 1999 as a theater arts director, student advisor and assistant principal.
He has a bachelor’s degree in theater from Shenandoah University, teacher certification from St. Paul’s College, a master’s degree in education from Cal State San Bernardino, an administrative credential from UC Riverside and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
He has worked at the secondary level on site leadership teams, leading IEPs and 504’s, directing school plays and has worked with students on helping them achieve academic and career goals. •••
Starlight Elementary School’s new Academic Coordinator is Elizabeth Ortiz. She began as as a teacher at Starlight in 2016.
She has served as a lead teacher for the after-school program and summer school program. After graduating from Watsonville High School, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from San Jose State and a multiple-subject teaching credential.
She has earned a masters degree in education and an administrative credential from Concordia University. n
