Brent Griffis

Brent Patrick Griffis of Gilroy received a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture with a minor in construction management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The commencement ceremony took place June 13, 2009.

Brent is the son of Mike and Leslie Griffis of Gilroy. He is a 2003 graduate of Gilroy High School, and attended West Valley Junior College before transferring to Cal Poly.

Brandon Helt

Army Pfc. Brandon E. Helt 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.

He is the son of Melissa Pancheshan of Eastpointe, Mich., and Robert Helt of Gilroy. The private is a 2006 graduate of De La Salle Collegiate High School, Warren, Mich.

Joel Rea

Joel Rea has been promoted to the rank of technical sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard.

He is a support operations and air operations specialist with the 287th Sustainment Brigade at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, and has served in the military for eight years.

Rea is the son of Jose Rea and Arcelia Rea, both of Hollister. He is a 2001 graduate of San Benito High School and received an associate's degree in 2008 from Gavilan College.

WEDDING

Jefferson/Burke

Kerstin Jefferson and Phillip Burke were married July, 25, 2009.

Kerstin, daughter of David and Colleen Jefferson, is a registered nurse. Phillip, son of David and Theresa Burke, is an aeronautical systems engineer.

The couple was married in a small, intimate wedding attended by immediate family members. They were married by Minister Wes Craig, Kerstin's Youth Pastor from Shadow Mountain Baptist Church. The couple went on a Mexican Riviera cruise for their honeymoon and now reside in Salem, Ore.

BIRTHS

Cherise Eden Mireles

Cherise Eden Mireles was born Aug. 7, 2009 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Dolly Ortuno and Adolfo Mireles of Gilroy. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.

Gabriel Alan Lopez

Gabriel Alan Lopez was born Aug. 11, 2009 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Yvonne Marie Salinas and Gregorio Alan Lopez of Gilroy. He weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces.

Aniya Rae Villalba

Aniya Rae Villalba was born Aug. 2, 2009 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Amanda and Jake Villalba of Morgan Hill. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces.

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