Mara Getz has been selected as Mount Madonna School’s 2010
senior class valedictorian and Haley Turner is the salutatorian.
These two students earned the distinction through hard work and
focused effort, edging out their peers at the small Central Coast
school known for strong academics, environmental education,
performing arts and state championship volleyball, school officials
said.
Mara Getz has been selected as Mount Madonna School’s 2010 senior class valedictorian and Haley Turner is the salutatorian. These two students earned the distinction through hard work and focused effort, edging out their peers at the small Central Coast school known for strong academics, environmental education, performing arts and state championship volleyball, school officials said.
Getz, who lives in Aptos, will attend Occidental College in Los Angeles this fall. Founded in 1887, Occidental College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. The distinctive interdisciplinary and multicultural focus of the college’s academic program seeks to foster both fulfillment of individual aspirations and a deeply-rooted commitment to public service. Getz plans to study political science, with a possible emphasis on international relations, and she hopes to one day work with the political arena.
“When our class visited South Africa and interviewed Archbishop Desmond Tutu (in 2009), his advice to us was to ‘dream,'” Getz said. “My dreams are what have enabled me to push through everything and believe in my future. Mount Madonna history teacher Matt Meachen also inspired me; his AP U.S. History class is what inspired my love of politics. I want to pursue a political career, and, ideally be in Congress (someday).”
Turner, an Aptos resident, will head to southern California to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara. Turner hasn’t decided on a major yet and says she chose UCSB – a respected research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts experience – because she likes the campus and wants to remain near the ocean.
“The best advice I received in high school came from Alyse Nelson, CEO of Vital Voices,” Turner said. “When our class interviewed her in May, she told us not to worry about the college major we choose or the career we pursue, but to do whatever makes our ‘heart sing.’ And I don’t know what I career I want to pursue yet, though I do want to travel, help others and to learn from people.”
In addition to Getz and Turner, Mount Madonna School’s Class of 2010 includes 13 other students. They are listed below with their college choices:
Amar Nijor, Scotts Valley, San Jose State University; Anneka Lettunich, Corralitos, University of California, Santa Barbara; Brittany Lovato, Royal Oaks, Bethany University; Chris Ahluwalia, Morgan Hill, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Cliff Randolph, Watsonville, taking a ‘gap’ year; Danny Falcao, San Martin, Cabrillo College; Emily Handloff, Soquel, Berklee School of Music; Erin Mitchell, Watsonville, Evergreen State College; Jack Massion, Aptos, Kalamazoo College; Mari Fox, Aptos, University of California, Santa Cruz; Max Connor, Aptos, University of California, Davis; Sara Birns, Corralitos, University of Oregon; and Zoe Bostick, Morgan Hill, Lewis and Clark College.
