Jason Anders

Jason D. Anders graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., recently, where President Barack Obama gave the keynote address. He earned a bachelor's degree with merit, with a minor in Spanish, and was inducted into Phi Sigma Alpha. Anders has been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and will be going to officer training in Quantico, Va., in late June.

He was nominated to the USNA by both (then) Congressman Pombo and Senator Dianne Feinstein, was accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and was inducted in June 2005.

Anders, son of Don and Mary Anders of Gilroy, is a 2005 graduate of Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, where he was on the football and wrestling teams, and was selected as scholar-athlete in his graduating class. He was also a Gilroy Police Department Explorer Scout and attended a local church.

Alberto Valencia

Army Reserve Pvt. Alberto Valencia has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and more.

Valencia is the son of Sara Betancourt of Gilroy and a 2008 graduate of Gilroy High School.

Rachael Phillips

Live Oak High School alum and former Morgan Hill resident Rachael Phillips earned a degree of Doctor Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law, completing the Honors Lawyering Program, a highly competitive program that includes an intensive skills-focused summer session and apprenticeships.

Remy Birchmier

Army Pvt. Remy A. Birchmier has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

She is the daughter of Tim Birchmier of Gilroy.

Local aviation students take home scholarships

Three local students with outstanding potential for service to the aviation community received $1,000 scholarships from the South County Airport Pilots Association. The need- and merit-based scholarships are awarded each year to a select group of people desiring to further their careers in aviation.

Cesar Urzua is a resident of Hollister working to earn his Airframe and Powerplant Rating and has one year to go to finish his program. Urzua worked in the Marine Corps for five years as an airframe and hydraulic mechanic on helicopters, and wants to leverage this experience working in the private sector once he receives his A&P rating at Gavilan. He is a full-time student, husband and father.

Jason Jimenez also attends Gavilan College's Aviation Maintenance program. Jimenez grew up around a military airbase, and his early experiences include helping with the annual Special Olympics program on the base as well as the annual Blue Angels airshow. He became reintroduced to aviation at Watsonville airport and there heard about the Aviation Maintenance program at Gavilan College.

Alonso Torres Jr. is active with the Morgan Hill Police Explorers. He also works at Go Run Sports, where he fits runners for their shoes, and at the Centennial Recreation Center in Morgan Hill, where he is a fitness coach. He has been accepted to Embry-Riddle, an aeronautical university in Daytona Beach, Fla. Torres would love to fly for the Navy or Marines.

Students honored for academic excellence

Tara McLaughlin and James Gabbard were honored at a statewide awards ceremony on May 2. The seventh-graders from Britton Middle School received awards for their exceptional scores on the SAT/ACT college admissions tests. The ceremony, held in the Mayer Theater at Santa Clara University was sponsored by the the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

Others receiving similar honors for their SAT/ACT scores from Morgan Hill were Mark Holmstrom, Camila Martinez and Michelle Pham of Britton, and Michael Fiedorowicz from Martin Murphy Middle School.

James Gabbard went on to receive additional awards at the national level.

Jennifer Acojedo

Cadet Jennifer Grace Acojedo, daughter of LTC (R) teddy Acojedo of Gilroy, and Mr. and Mrs. Thelma Lamar of San Jose, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on May 23.

Acojedo graduated from William Overfelt High School in 2005. While at West Point, she concentrated her studies in engineering management and environmental engineering. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the engineers branch and will report to Fort Lewis, Wash. for her first assignment.

BIRTHDAYS

Betty Maguire

Betty Maguire, of Gilroy, turned 85 on June 6. She was born June 6, 1924 and will celebrate with a backyard barbecue on June 14 with family and friends.

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