Chandler Yamane
Palo Verde High School
Class of 2011
To sum up Palo Verde High School Student Body President Chandler Yamane in a word or two would be a great challenge. He’s athletic and intelligent, adaptable and an enthusiastic leader, all of which play into his desire to succeed not simply for the glory of the win, but to shape himself into a disciplined and well-rounded individual. Outside the classroom and the athletic field, he is duty bound to church and family, with an inherent sense of responsibility to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and for that, Chandler Yamane is – A Step Above.
G.P.A.: 4.2
Sports/Activities/Clubs:
- Freshman Football, 2007/08; Team Captain
- Junior Varsity Football, 2008/09; Team Captain
- Varsity Football, 2009-10
- Junior Varsity Wrestling, 2007-08
- Varsity Track & Field, 2007-Present; Team Captain
- Freshman Class President, 2007/08
- Sophomore Class President, 2008/09
- Student Body Secretary, 2009/10
- Student Body President, 2010-Present
- Chess Club, 2009-10
- Science Club, 2009-Present
- Best Buddies, 2009-Present
- Robotics, 2009-Present
- Boy Scouts of America, 2007-Present
Awards/Community Service:
- Scholar Athlete, 2007-Present
- Student of the Month, 2009
- Nevada All-State Academic Team–Student Leadership, 2007/08
- Nevada All-State Academic Team–Track & Field, 2007/08
- Track & Field Most Valuable Player, 2008-10
- Eagle Scout, 2007
- Best Buddies Volunteer, 2009-Present
- Atria Senior Living, 2008-Present
- Deseret Industries, 2008-Present
- Salvation Army, 2008-Present
- Mormon Helping Hands, 2009
- Relay for Life, 2010
- Lupus Walk for the Cure, 2009
Goals & Aspirations: “After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I plan to attend Brigham Young University as an undergraduate then earn a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration degree from an Ivy League school.’
Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “Mine is simple. I am most proud of putting on my Black #3 Palo Verde Panthers Jersey on game nights. Each week it symbolizes hours and hours of hard work during that week that my team and I have put in to WIN. And the glory of winning is most satisfying.”
Chandler is Successful Because: “You have to want it deep in your heart. If you truly want something, that desire becomes your priority. Hard work and sacrifice soon becomes routine.”
Part of the Solution: “I think that everyone naturally has a good heart and wants to do good. Yet, it is idleness that brings people to drugs, alcohol and immorality. A solution for this is providing more activities throughout the community aimed toward this age group that are wholesome and fun.”
Ashley Taylor Gord
Faith Lutheran High School
Class of 2011
Life is too short to not make every moment count. Taking this truth to heart, Faith Lutheran High School Student Body President Ashley Gord is managing her time and utilizing her talents to be the most upstanding and accomplished individual she can be. As a leader, she focuses her goals on what’s best for the team. Academically, she works hard to reach the highest levels of achievement. Moreover, on a personal level, her audacity, practicality and confidence is what bolsters her simple approach to life; be fearless and focused, yet true to yourself and kind, and for that, Ashley Gord is – A Step Above.
G.P.A.: 3.96
Sports/Clubs:
- JV Softball, 2008-09
- Varsity Softball, 2010
- Freshman Volleyball, 2007
- JV Volleyball, 2008
- Freshman Class Treasurer, 2007/08
- Sophomore Class Secretary, 2008/09
- Student Body Historian, 2009/10
- Student Body President, 2010-Present
- National Junior Honor Society Member, 2006-08; Vice President, 2007/08
- National Honor Society Member, 2009-Present; Historian, 2010-Present
Awards/Community Service:
- Wendy”s High School Heisman Applicant, 2010
- Nevada All-State Academic Team with Recognition for Student Leadership, 2008
- Yearbook Academic Award, 2007
- National Youth Leadership Conference Nominee, 2009
- Softball Crusader Award, 2010
- Voted Volleyball Team Captain, 2007
- Academic Letter, 2008-09
- Varsity Softball Letter, 2010
- Las Vegas Relay for Life Volunteer, 2008-09
- Operation Christmas Child, 2004-10
- American Lung Association Teen Teacher, 2007-Present
Goals & Aspirations: “I strive to graduate in the spring with high honors, but before I leave Faith Lutheran I plan on making a few changes to help improve the school for the students. After high school I plan on obtaining a master’s degree, possibly in psychology, and one day getting married and starting a family of my own.”
Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “I am most proud of my newly acquired position as the Student Body President at Faith Lutheran. Of all the people in the world there are only a select few who can say they have held this position, and I am honored to have been voted into this office.”
Ashley is Successful Because: “The qualities that make me most successful are my determination, perseverance and drive. When I put my mind to a task, I stick with it until the very end. I am not afraid of failure, which is why I am always willing to take risks.”
Ashley is Stronger and Wiser Because: “A valuable lesson that I have learned is to learn from my own mistakes as well as the mistakes that others make. This lesson has allowed me to move forward in life and pursue my dreams. I have also learned to cherish the time that I have and to show the people around me how much I really care. You never know how little or how much time you have with someone.”
Steaven Rojas
Class of 2011
The ballots have been cast and the results are in; Desert Oasis High School Student Body President Steaven Rojas is your brojas. That clever presidential campaign slogan speaks volumes of his character. He’s amiable, energetic and always willing to lend a hand or share his many talents. Even more evident is his appreciation of the true value of friendship and family, hard work and charity. With emphasis on building strong, interpersonal relationships, he seeks to attain his many goals by applying diligence, effort and a humble sense of pride in all that he does, and for that, Steaven Rojas is – A Step Above.
G.P.A.: 4.63
Sports/Activities:
- Sierra Vista JV Baseball, 2007-08
- Desert Oasis Varsity Volleyball, 2008-Present
- Bass Player Jazz Band, 2007-08
- National Honor Society, 2009-Present
- French Club President, 2009-10
Awards/Community Service:
- Diamondback of the Year, 2009/10
- Most Improved Player of the Year–Volleyball, 2008/09
- Defensive Player of the Year–Volleyball, 2009/10
- All-State Scholar Athlete, 2009-Present
- Southern Highlands Harvest Festival Volunteer, 2008-Present
- Las Vegas Santa Run, 2008-Present
- Holiday Adopt-a-Family, 2009/10
- American Cancer Society Relay for Life Logistics Chair, 2009-10; Event Chair, 2010-11
Steaven is Successful Because: “What makes me successful is my ability to interact with any audience, learn from my surroundings and, most importantly, challenge myself daily. I take pride in my work, in and outside of school, and believe confidence is the best asset to a triumphant individual.”
Steaven Looks Up To: “I am very fortunate to have parents who are so strong in character. My father is the strongest man on earth and not because of physical traits. He fights through life with the heart of a tiger but the gracefulness of an eagle. He has taught me that the unexamined life is not worth living, and that one always must strive to be better in all.”
Steaven is Stronger and Wiser Because: “I am Hispanic living in the wonderful States with amazing opportunities. Though I would not exchange that for the world, migrating from my birthplace in Colombia and growing up away from family is just plain difficult. There have been moments of weakness, but my family has taught me that our connections with people we care about are infinite and only controlled by our minds.”
Part of the Solution: “One of the nine basic human needs is acceptance. I always attempt to make a connection and interact with the people I meet. One might never know the issues a person is facing, and simple things like eye contact or a ‘Good morning, how are you?’ can be the difference between the young adult who feels invisible and the one who feels confident.”
