Christina Gonzalez, a Bishop Garcia Diego High School senior, was one of 100 recipients of a Principal's Leadership Award Scholarship, co-sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Herff Jones Inc.

Chosen from among more than 4,500 applications, Gonzalez will receive a $1,000 college scholarship to assist in her education at Loyola Marymount University, where she will major in International Relations. Gonzalez also has been selected to join Loyola Marymount University's Leader-Scholar Program.

"Christina has a remarkable record of leadership at school and in the Santa Barbara Community," according to Father Tom Elewaut, principal of the Santa Barbara school. "As Associated Student Body president she skillfully presents student concerns and issues to the school administration. Her passion for service to others is a hallmark of her lifestyle as a Campus Minster, leading retreat and prayer services on campus."

This past year Gonzalez served on the City of Santa Barbara Youth Council, and was a vocal advocate for the proposed and now functioning Teen Center. She participated in the ADAP program through the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Coalition and presently was by the City Council as an intern commissioner with the Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation Commission.

Winners were selected on the basis of their leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, achievements in the arts and sciences, employment experiences, and academic record. They also were required to write an essay.

Students nominated for the PLA scholarship not only demonstrate academic excellence, but also extraordinary performance in leadership and service to the school and communities --- "traits that are more important now than ever before," said Rocco Marano, director of student activities, NASSP. "I am always impressed by the outstanding achievements of students like Ms. Gonzalez."

In recognizing leadership in co-curricular activities as well as academic performance, the PLA scholarship recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education. Co-curricular activities are an essential part of the high school experience.

Within the local Santa Barbara community, Gonzalez won the Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award in 2007; was an advocate for the "Twelve 35" local teen center; is the Santa Barbara Youth Council Vice-Chair; and was an Intern/Journalist for "Shape of Voice," a local youth based newspaper focusing on social injustices.

Alverno junior honored for math, science achievement
Alverno High School junior Gail Gutierrez was recognized by the Society of Women Engineers with a certificate of merit for her achievements in math and science.

"This honor goes to a young woman who has demonstrated excellence in three years each of math and science," says Certificate of Merit chair Beatrix Segura, who traveled from the South Bay to present Gail with the recognition award. "I was very impressed with Gail, and I'm glad she is considering engineering as a career field. I was also impressed with Alverno, and it was a treat for me to see so many talented girls at the awards ceremony."

Gutierrez, a graduate of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Pasadena, has been elected as next year's Alverno Student Union president. She was selected from a number of excellent students to receive the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit by the faculty of Alverno's math and science departments.

MSMC president honored by Hebrew Union
Mount St. Mary's College President Jacqueline Powers Doud was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion during the institution's Los Angeles commencement ceremony May 19.

Rabbi David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union, presented the degree "in recognition of the significant role Dr. Doud plays as president of Mount St. Mary's College, a sister institution to ours on the West Coast. The initiatives you have made in higher education and the life you have led in the world of academics is exemplary."

"It is an honor not only for me but for Mount St. Mary's College to be recognized for our partnership with Hebrew Union College," said Doud. "We've enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration, and the college looks forward to many more years working together in the city of Los Angeles."

The Mount's Education Department works on teacher credentialing requirements in coursework for aspiring Jewish day school teachers at Hebrew Union. Some Mount education faculty also work as adjunct instructors at Hebrew Union to prepare future teachers. In addition, Hebrew Union students regularly attend MSMC to complete master's degrees in education.