Graduating senior has excelled on the volleyball court, in the classroom, and outside of school
For the entire 2024-25 school year, the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge has sponsored a Student of the Month, chosen by the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School staff and administration. The final honoree of the year is Ben Stuerman, the Student of the Month for May.
Stuerman has gained recent attention as the co-captain of the Pirates boys volleyball team that won the CIF Central Section title and made it to the second round of the CIF state tournament. He was also on the SYHS water polo team, and even on the basketball team in the ninth and 10th grade.
In the classroom, Ben has also shined, compiling a 3.4 GPA, while serving as the yearbook class editor this year. He also earned scholar athlete honors, and was on the staff of the SYHS “huddle” for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as president this year.
Ben will be moving on to Simpson University in Redding, California, where he will continue his volleyball career and plans to major in kinesiology, with plans to become a firefighter, EMT, and paramedic, hopefully for Cal Fire.
This summer, when Ben has free time “for the first time ever,” he hopes to camp and hike in Yosemite National Park and climb Half Dome. He also loves to mountain bike, and is part of a mountain biking team in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Through it all, Ben has maintained his status as a good student and person.
“Ben is one of the kindest and most positive people on campus,” said SYHS Superintendent/Principal Dr. Kimberly Sheehan. “Ben loves living in the valley because of the close community and the great friends. He loves that everywhere he goes, he knows someone.”
One thing that drives Ben is his penchant for community service, and his faith. He has done two service trips to Mexico in high school, both building and helping people in a damaged community, and helping set up a senior
facility for events. He also helps his church locally to plan and set up many events and outreach programs.
“Community is very important to me, and I value strong bonds within it,” Ben said. “I have done many trips down to Mexico and those have consistently been huge parts of my life, seeing how third-world countries function
and get by with what they have.
“I’m someone who values faith, family, and personal growth. As a son and only child, I value the time I spend with my parents, whether we’re traveling, playing volleyball, working out, or taking care of our dog and chickens. Growing up in a small town where everyone knows each other has been a blessing, and our church community feels like a part of our family. My faith is at
the core of who I am. Weekly Sunday morning church, youth leadership, and mission trips have shaped me and deepened my connection to God.”
