The Simi Valley Acorn has featured several outstanding graduates of Grace Brethren High School, a ministry of Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley, Calif. (Jordan Bakker, pastor). A portion of the story appears below. Click here to learn more about these young people and their plans.
SENIOR STANDOUTS • GRACE BRETHREN
Kohl Keali’i Cano, 18, dedicated his high school years to maintaining a 4.1 GPA and making his mark in fine arts, science, and sports.
The son of Terri and Kimo Cano, Kohl is a member of Hui O Hawaii, an organization aimed at preserving Hawaiian culture and history.
He directed two Grace Brethren youth theater camps, preached to the elderly as part of the retirement home club, played junior varsity and varsity soccer, and was vice president of the Thespian Society. …
High school was all about sports for Shelby Cox: soccer, basketball, and track and field. The 17-year-old daughter of Bill and Cyndi Cox, ran cross country, competed for both the indoor and outdoor track teams, and played varsity basketball and soccer.
Shelby will attend Florida State University after graduation, where she plans to double major in psychology and computer science. …
Steven Gandham, 17, said his father, Suman, taught him the most valuable lesson: Don’t be afraid to fail.
“My dad has taught me to never give up, no matter how difficult the situation may be (and) that failure can lead to success,” the graduate said.
The son of Suman and Olivia Gandham, Steven qualified for and competed with his team in the VEX Robotics World Championships for six consecutive years. And in 2014, he said, they placed fifth in the competition. …
Jeniffer Costa’s love for helping people and driving political change can be attributed to her mother, Veronica, who was a congresswoman in Brazil.
The daughter of Veronica and Romulo Castro, the 17-year-old recently moved to the U.S. from Brazil and spends her time learning about the culture here from her classmates and other community residents.
Jeniffer said her favorite class was government because it provides the basis for how a country acts. After graduation, she will continue studying government, majoring in international studies at the University of La Verne. …
Ever since he was a child, 18-year-old Cristian Amador has helped out in his family’s restaurant, El Patio Mexican Restaurant in Simi Valley. His parents, Tiffaney and Everado Amador, have owned the business for 26 years.
After graduation, Cristian plans to attend Azusa Pacific University, where he will major in business management. And 10 years from now, he hopes to take over the family business.
In high school, Cristian was a Ronald Reagan Scholarship candidate. He participated in the Spanish club, played varsity soccer and swam. His favorite class was Bible because stories were “relatable and taught a lot of life lessons,” which he used as the school chaplain. …
Click here to learn more about these young people and their plans.