AAUW Ukiah Accolades for Excellence Program – 2023
On April 26th, 2023 five special Ukiah High School students were honored with the Accolades for Excellence awards at the Ukiah High School Library. The recipients were nominated by their teachers for their academic and personal efforts and accomplishments to receive this award.
Our UUSD teachers/partners Jessica Lee and Gretel Palmerin (in the photo to the right) worked for weeks to organize and solicit nominations. Beverley Spence introduced our program by highlighting the AAUW mission and our local commitment to education.
Gretel, our AAUW member who is a former Tech Trek student and recipient of our branch Evelyn Broaddus scholarship, praised the teachers who nominated these 11th and 12th grade girls to be honored for their efforts and achievements, often in the face of daunting hardship. Gretel then introduced each teacher who in turn spoke about her student. Each girl received an Accolades for Excellence certificate and a $100 check.
Yissell Carrillo was nominated by leadership and community service teacher Beth Howson for her service to others and her academic excellence. Yissell is a Dance Commissioner; treasurer of the Fashion Club; and works with the Ukiah City ACES program. As the first in her family to attend college, she is currently the only Latina in AP calculus and AP environmental science.
Jade Rodriguez, nominated by career specialist teacher Yanira Muniz, is president of the Fashion Club and is a ‘determined and committed individual’. From a single-mom household, Jade successfully balances a part-time job while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Arlena Franco “embodies resilience, commitment, and perseverance” says her English teacher Kathryn Fried. Despite suffering an extreme loss within her family this year, Arlena consistently seeks help and stays committed to her advanced classes. She is a “lifelong learner.” Arlena headed for a Ukiah High track meet immediately following the presentation.
Sayra Adame Valdovinos is an English learner in her first year at Ukiah High who has not let the situation of leaving her family in Mexico stop her from achieving her academic goals. Sayra appreciates her opportunities and takes advantage of all resources, according to her freshman advisor Scarlette Frausto. She gets straight As and always assists others around her who are facing similar obstacles. Payton
Payton Slotte, who unfortunately could not attend the ceremony because of a last-minute calculus test, was nominated by Spanish teacher Ollie Prax-Lodge because of her strength of character and persistence. Despite health and other challenges this year, she has not missed a beat in her academic pursuits. Payton “is quite amazing and I am lucky to have her as a Student” says her proud teacher.
We also wish to thank the family, teachers, friends and others who support and cheer on these amazing young women and help them to be all they can be. Our gratitude also to Mary Ann Villwock, Gretel Palmerin and Beverley Spence who have been heading up this program as well as to Jessica Lee who once more acted as our AAUW Ukiah’s teacher liaison at Ukiah High. Beverley Spence gave the opening speech; welcoming everyone, explaining the Accolades program and AAUW over all. Well done everyone!
If you have never been to this ceremony before, you may want to consider going next year. It is such and inspiring and wonderful thing that AAUW Ukiah Branch does.
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