Jennifer Moody doesn
’t live up to her name. That’s right. The spirited senior of
Live Oak High School sports a positive attitude with a contagious
and infectious laugh. She’s anything but moody in the true sense of
the word. Now she has even more reason to smile. Moody is this
year’s Chamber of Commerce ‘Stud
ent of the Year.’
Jennifer Moody doesn’t live up to her name. That’s right. The spirited senior of Live Oak High School sports a positive attitude with a contagious and infectious laugh. She’s anything but moody in the true sense of the word. Now she has even more reason to smile. Moody is this year’s Chamber of Commerce ‘Student of the Year.’
The Chamber Showcase awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations for long-time community service.
Moody is a skilled saxophone player and section leader of Live Oak Emerald Regime marching band. She plays in several other bands, serves as a leader on numerous committees and succeeds academically. Plus, she likes to just hang with her boyfriend and family.
“It is a lot,” said Moody, who wants to be a physician someday. “But I get a lot of support from my family and teachers. They’re there for me.”
“And, I couldn’t do this without my mother,” praised Moody. “She has so much to deal with and I watch her juggle all these things – I learn a lot from my mom – she’s my backbone.”
Sandy and Don Moody, long-time community volunteers and public education advocates, support their daughter in all endeavors, especially music. Jenny first picked up a saxophone in fifth grade but really excelled in seventh under the tutelage of retired Britton School band instructor Ernie Lima. She recently was selected from hundreds of entries to join the Santa Clara County Honor Band, Northern California Honor Band and the All-State Honor Band.
“Her dedication to her instrument, and her private lessons and experiences, have made her an outstanding player,” said Jeff Wilson, the band director for Live Oak Emerald Regime.
Moody practices twice a week for Emerald Regime, champions of Class II Western Band Association two years running. The teen says her participation has opened a lot of doors and given her invaluable experiences at her age. She’s traveled to Europe and on domestic trips with the marching band.
“It made me feel good that I could share my music with people of another culture,” said Moody, reminiscing of the band’s 1999 performance in a small German village.
“It’s hard work and takes a lot of determination,” remarked Moody. “But it’s just so much fun; we’re just doing what we love.” She also plays sax in the symphonic and jazz bands at Live Oak and finds time for professional gigs as the youngest member and only female of South Bay Swing Band. The group of 15–20 men, and Moody, jams with big band tunes at weddings and events.
“It’s really easy with those guys, they’re like a bunch of brothers. It’s a wonderful experience for me,” said Moody, who gets paid for her work.
According to Moody and those closest, she’s always felt comfortable with adults – it’s possible her long involvement in student government helped. Moody first ran for office in the fifth grade when she blasted on her sax during her campaign speech. She won. Now the vice president of Live Oak Associated Student Body (ASB) also serves as the student representative on the Morgan Hill school board.
“She makes the connection so artfully between the students and the adults in a way that the adults can relate to,” said Carolyn McKennan, superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District. “She has the ability to read people and situations. This is a trait of a leader.”
Moody, who’s gone to school in Morgan Hill since second grade, seems undaunted by the responsibility of representing all students of the district.
“It’s a difficult thing to do,” said Moody. “I give a broad opinion of a student, listen, and make sure the board includes a student’s perspective – because that’s why they’re there – for the students.”
Before the weekly meetings, she wades through the board packets to get familiar with the issues. She reports back to the ASB class and encourages students to attend meetings.
Moody also serves on the Secondary Task Force at Live Oak. This group of high school administrators, teachers, students and parents, including Moody’s father, are charged with re-evaluating everything from graduation requirements to curriculum. These efforts are all for the betterment of the students, according to Moody, who enjoys debating the issues with dad.
“These are tough things and she’s able to speak articulately about hard issues,” said Nancy Serigstad, co-principal of Live Oak. “It’s her ability to step outside herself and see what’s best for everyone involved,” she said, when asked what makes Moody unique.
Strategizing ways to involve fellow classmates in school pride is what excites Moody on campus. It’s a challenge, she said, because “there are so many different types of kids at school.”
Moody helps ASB President Andy Cunningham run weekly meetings, manage events, coordinate rallies and decorate for dances. She estimates more than seven hours a week go into ASB projects but feels this team-building experience will come in handy in college and later on.
“I definitely get joy out of it,” said Moody, referring to time spent preparing for school dances. “When I go to the dance and see everyone happy; I’m glad I spent 48 hours decorating and blowing up balloon after balloon.”
“She works hard on everything,” said Norm Dow, ASB director. “She’s very reliable and full of wonderful spirit … she makes my job so much easier.”
Still, Moody is quick to credit her family for their undying support. She’s lucky to have strong women role models in her life. Moody speaks of her late grandmother, who was always singing and “one of the most positive persons I ever met.” Then there’s Jenny’s sister, Emily, who’ll graduate this spring from Santa Clara University.
“I’m so proud of her,” said Moody, who also hopes to attend SCU. “I’ve followed her in so many ways … she was in band and also the school board rep.”
At a time when many teens pull away from parents, Moody is fortunate to have a close, sisterly relationship with her mother, Sandy.
“I don’t know anybody else who has a relationship like Jenny and me,” said Sandy Moody. “We’re in tune with each other’s feelings. She doesn’t do anything unless she knows it’s okay with me.”
“But I’ve given her a lot of freedom and trust,” added Sandy. “I’ve never said no to her and I encouraged both girls to try things – and I don’t let her give up.”
The 2003 Showcase Morgan Hill Awards dinner, sponsored by South Valley National Bank will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m. in the Hiram Morgan Hill room of the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, Monterey Road and East Dunne Avenue.
