Staff Report
The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community, reviving a program that had been dormant for several years, has presented a $3,000 scholarship to graduating high school senior Angel Valdez Ordonez.
“We received many applications, but yours spoke to the committee in a manner which emphasized Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew phrase that translates as ‘repairing the world’ through social justice and social action,” SYVJC President Susie Margolis Pierson said in her presentation to Angel. “Your work with the Solvang library, your church, as a music theory tutor and much more exemplifies this meaning.
“Your other accomplishments are no less impressive: co-founder of the Jazz Club, your work and support of other English Learners, and more. As a retired English and ESL teacher, I was personally proud of your achievements in English.”
The scholarship program was reactivated this year thanks to a donation from Montecito Bank and Trust.
Angel plays the flute, clarinet, saxophone and violin. He is the president of Mission Santa Ines Youth ministry and a youth leader for the mission’s confirmation program.
This fall he will be attending UC Berkeley, majoring in legal studies or social science with a goal of attending law school to become an immigration attorney.
He was named student of the month in March 2018 and is also the recipient of a $100 scholarship from local financial adviser Kelly R. Hunziker.
Academically, he was named AP Scholar with Honor at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and was selected as a Regents Scholar for the University of California system. He is a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Organization of Latinos and American Club and the Gay-Straight Alliance Club. He also received a UC Berkley Generation Change Scholarship
The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community has been active locally for more than 40 years, providing a broad variety of experiences, including Jewish traditions, community support and connection, diverse Jewish education, interfaith collaborations, social justice, and pastoral care to serve the Jewish and Santa Ynez Valley communities.
