The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge recently announced its choice for December Student of the Month, and the honoree is Santa Ynez High senior Danielle Hyland.

Danielle is known an exceptional student whose academic drive, leadership, and compassion make her a standout in every setting. She is an only child who was adopted from China at the age of 3, and she has proudly called the Santa Ynez Valley home for many years.

Danielle speaks warmly about her close-knit family and the steady support she receives from her parents. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Tillie and Bailey, and she brings a wide range of talents and interests to everything she does — from seven years of dance and violin to basketball, track, and eventually discovering a true love for tennis in eighth grade.

One of the achievements Danielle is most proud of is her leadership as president of the SYV Medical Club. She recognized that students interested in health care didn’t yet have a space on campus to explore careers, connect with peers, and learn from professionals. So she helped build that community herself — organizing projects and guest speakers and creating real opportunities for students to envision futures in medicine and service.

Danielle’s commitment to helping others extends far beyond the classroom. She is a tennis co-captain, a CIF individual competitor, and a member of last year’s CIF Central Section championship team. She also works as a waitress at the Copenhagen Sausage Garden in Solvang, balancing her job with school and athletics. Perhaps most remarkable is her nearly 200 hours of volunteer service at Cottage Hospital, where she has been able to observe health-care professionals firsthand. Those experiences have strengthened her desire to become a nurse and reinforced her passion for caring for people in meaningful, practical ways.

After graduation, Danielle plans to pursue college — either beginning at SBCC or attending a four-year university such as San Diego State, Cal State San Marcos, or Cal State Long Beach — with the goal of entering the nursing field. She is excited to build a career where she can help people, comfort those in need, and make a real difference in her community.

And if Danielle could share one piece of advice with younger students, it would be this: Don’t let anyone stop you from believing in yourself. Have confidence, stand up for yourself, give yourself grace, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal — growth is.

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Michele Miller Maxwell of Santa Ynez has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s (SNHU) Fall 2025 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

SNHU is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.

Nazareth University student Alexander Kobayashi of Buellton earns Fall 2025 Dean’s List honors

Nazareth University is proud to announce that Alexander Kobayashi of Buellton has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean’s list at Nazareth.

Nazareth University in Rochester, New York, is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Its broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of big universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture.

Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing them for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth graduates launch lifetimes of changemaking leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

Kielson Lawton and Lulu Simpson earn Dean’s List honors at College of Charleston

College of Charleston congratulates more than 1,900 students named to the Dean’s List for Fall 2025, with two of them hailing from Los Olivos.

Kielson Lawton has not decided on a major yet, while

Lulu Simpson is majoring in sociology

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life, and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs, and accessible faculty, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, has announced Santa Ynez High School senior Des Stewart as its November Student of the Month, chosen by SYHS office staff and administration.

Des is a remarkable student whose strength, compassion, and determination shine through in everything she does. She comes from a loving family that includes her mom, stepdad, 4-year-old sisters, and a 2-year-old brother,” said Alexa Tomasini, assistant to the principal. “A passionate reader and dedicated gymnastics coach at Pacific Flips, she balances school, work, and extracurriculars with a maturity far beyond her years. Having moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in eighth grade, she reflects with gratitude on how much she has grown since arriving and how happy she is to now call this place home.”

Stewart’s biggest inspiration is her mom, according to Tomasini, who raised her as a single parent and continues to work multiple jobs to support the family. Even during times when her mom wasn’t physically present because of work, she now understands that every sacrifice was an act of love. This foundation taught her respect, resilience, and the importance of valuing hard work.

Her favorite subject is English literature, where she enjoys exploring stories, ideas, and new perspectives. This year, she is especially proud of raising a pig for the 2025 County Fair, where she earned second place in market, an accomplishment that reflects her dedication and commitment.

For her, school has never been only about going to class, it’s about connection, involvement, and belonging. She thrives on staying busy and forming friendships with people from all backgrounds. The experiences she participates in outside the classroom are what make school meaningful and joyful for her.

Her involvement speaks for itself: FFA, cheer, and representing African American students on campus while contributing to diversity and inclusion efforts. She takes pride in representing the welcoming, vibrant, and evolving culture of Santa Ynez, where both long-time locals and newcomers together create a community she is proud to uplift.

She strives to live by honesty, integrity, and staying true to who she is. These values guide her daily choices and shape how she shows up in the school community. Whether through her involvement or her leadership roles, she contributes by being visible, engaged, and willing to represent others.

After graduation, she plans to attend college and pursue her dream of becoming an agriculture teacher. Her dream school is Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia; she is also considering attending a junior college and transferring to a four-year university for economic reasons.

Her long-term goal is to continue inspiring students just as FFA and SYHS have inspired her. If she could offer advice to her younger self,  or to any younger student,  it would be this: “You are who you are for a reason. You are enough exactly as you are. Be yourself and go for it all.”

In her spare time, Stewart loves to sing and enjoys R&B and country music. She can also play saxophone and piano. Her favorite book is “Every Day” by David Levithan, a story that inspires her with its themes of identity, empathy, and love.

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At its recent board meeting, College School District in Santa Ynez announced the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Maurene Donner, who will conclude more than 37 years of service at the end of December. The district also introduced Ian Trejo as the next superintendent, with his official start date set for Jan. 26, 2026.

Donner has been a dedicated member of College School District for over three decades, beginning her career as a classroom teacher and later serving in multiple leadership roles before becoming superintendent. Throughout her tenure, she has been guided by a deep commitment to student success, strong community partnerships and the professional growth of staff.

Under Donner’s leadership, the district earned significant state recognition, including being named a California Distinguished School in 2014 and 2020. The district also received the Gold Ribbon Award in 2016 and the Pivotal Practice Award in 2022 from the California Department of Education. In 2022, the district was further honored with the Gold PBIS Implementation Award for its commitment to positive school culture and student support.

Donner championed the district’s “Paws for Excellence” vision, prioritizing continuous improvement and student-centered learning. Her leadership has also been recognized beyond the district, including being named ACSA Superintendent/Principal of the Year for Region 13, receiving the Santa Barbara County Crystal Apple Award for Administration and being honored by United Way of Santa Barbara County as the United for Literacy Partner of the Year in 2018.

During her tenure, Donner oversaw significant enhancements to programs and facilities, including expanded academic and wellness offerings, strengthened arts and enrichment opportunities, the creation of the Bobcat Café nutrition program, and the development of new tennis and pickleball courts.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the College School District community,” said Donner. “Our students, staff, and families inspire me every day with their dedication, creativity, and heart. I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident that the district will continue to grow and thrive.”

Donner’s legacy is defined by her collaborative leadership and unwavering dedication to the children of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Following an extensive selection process, the district announced Trejo as the next superintendent of the College School District. With two decades of leadership experience, Trejo brings a broad and diverse background in educational administration.

Trejo holds a master’s degree in special education from National University in San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Sonoma State University. He currently serves as the assistant superintendent, business services at the Templeton Unified School District. During his three and a half years in Templeton, he has demonstrated adaptability and leadership, originally serving as the assistant superintendent of educational services before stepping into business services as needs developed.

His experience at Templeton includes work in curriculum, instruction, information technology, business services, and even serving as principal of alternative education. This versatility positions him well to support the wide range of needs within a small district like the College School District.

Prior to Templeton, Trejo served as director of curriculum and instruction and director of information services and technology at Lompoc Unified School District. One of the most significant aspects of his career was his nine years as superintendent/principal at Bradley Union School District, where he gained deep experience managing every aspect of a small, rural district.

In all these roles, Mr. Trejo’s adaptability, curiosity, and broad expertise have allowed him to support students and staff across multiple domains. His strong background in business services will help maintain the district’s sound fiscal practices, while his instructional leadership will continue to support student success and provide staff with essential resources. His knowledge of technology will further strengthen the district’s ability to integrate advancing tools into teaching and learning.

“I am very happy to join College School District as superintendent and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its long history of excellence,” Trejo shared. “I believe the Santa Ynez Valley is a special place, and I’m honored to serve this community. I look forward to joining this excellent team and building future success together.”

The district celebrates Donner’s remarkable legacy and warmly welcomes Trejo as the next leader of College School District. With his experience, dedication and collaborative approach, the district is confident in a smooth transition and a bright future ahead.

College School District serves students across two campuses: College School, which houses preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten, and Santa Ynez Elementary School, which enrolls grades 1 through 8.

Located at 3325 Pine St. in Santa Ynez, College School District creates a safe, positive, and engaging school climate. A highly-skilled team of professionals work in partnership with students, parents, and the community, all dedicated to meeting the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of every student. Through rigorous curriculum and a system of support, students are prepared for high school, higher education, and future opportunities.

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Brooke Phelan, a senior at Santa Ynez High School has been named The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge Student of the Month for October, chosen by the school’s office staff and administration. 

Whether she’s on the road or track, in the classroom, or volunteering in the community, Brooke is an outstanding student-athlete whose dedication, determination, and strong sense of integrity shine through everything she does. 

Brooke ranks among the top 10% of her class with a weighted GPA of 4.37. Her course load is nothing short of impressive: This year she’s enrolled in AP Literature, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Government, continuing a “track” record of academic rigor that includes Honors and AP courses in Geometry, English, Chemistry, U.S. History, and Psychology. 

She’s a four-year varsity athlete in cross country and track and field, and a two-year varsity basketball player. She’s also earned the distinction of Scholar Athlete every year for maintaining a 4.0 GPA while competing, and was named a three-sport varsity athlete during both her freshman and sophomore years 

Brooke and her family moved to the Valley right before COVID, after years of vacationing here. She says they instantly fell in love with how beautiful it is, that it is close to everything you need, but still peaceful and welcoming. 

Her family now lives on a ranch, where they have “a ton of animals” and even make their own wine. She’s also helped harvest grapes and bot- tle wine at Rancho Luis Vine- yards since her freshman year, learning firsthand the value of hard work and teamwork. 

After graduation, Brooke hopes to attend college in California — somewhere close to her family. She’s applying to UCLA, SDSU, Loyola Mary- mount, and USC, with plans to major in biology and eventually become a physical therapist. Her passion for sports, science, and helping others all point to a future where she’ll continue to make a positive impact both personally and professionally. 

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By Hadleigh Bolton 

President of Lucky Clover 4-H 

Since 1902, 4-H has been fostering growth in kids and teens all across America. 

Although the organization started out as an agricultural institution, 4-H has shifted to reflect the diverse interests of young people and to explore other paths for youth development. 

Here in Los Olivos, Lucky Clover 4-H is dedicated to raising the leaders of the Santa Ynez Valley. Projects offered in the 2025-26 year include beef, swine, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and public speaking, but one of 4-H’s many advantages is that enough interested members can create a new project to add to the list. 

Participating in 4-H animal projects teaches members responsibility, patience, and daily commitment. Youth who raise animals — whether it’s cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, or rabbits — are involved in every aspect of their care, from feeding and grooming to monitoring health and training for market and showmanship. Many describe forming a close bond with their animals and learning valuable lessons about empathy, hard work, and consistency. The experience also builds practical knowledge of animal nutrition, veterinary care, and record-keeping, all while fostering pride in seeing their project develop over time. 

Every July, 4-Hers head to the Santa Barbara County Fair to show the animals they have nurtured and prepared. Fair is an incredible bonding experience and an event that many members cite as their favorite of the year. Though the focus is on showing and selling animals, the fair also offers still exhibits where kids can showcase what they have created over the past year–be that photography, art pieces, table settings, or even jars of jam. 

For the public speaking project, events start as early as February with County Presentation Day, the first in a series of three competitions that go as far as statewide. State Presentation Day at UC Davis is a fun experience for public speakers to show their skills while meeting other proficient speakers from around the state. 

4-H’s leadership team is the heart of the club. Members are elected into positions where they have an opportunity to gain hands-on leadership experience. Officers include the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, sergeant of arms, healthy living officer, reporter, and photographer. 

One of the leadership team’s responsibilities is deciding where the club will focus its efforts for community service. In the past, Lucky Clover has partnered with local organizations like People Helping People, the Humane Society, and the Atterdag Senior Center to run drives and help out where needed. 

Just last month a small group of Lucky Clover 4-Hers served at the Cattlewomen’s October member meeting dinner for the Solvang Senior Center, helping the Cattle- women’s group of dedicated chefs to serve food to the members at the Solvang Veterans’ Hall. Seniors and 4-Hers connected over pumpkin pie, and it was a heartwarming experience for many of Lucky Clover’s youngest members. 

This year is my sixth year in Lucky Clover 4-H and my first year as its president. When I first joined 4-H as a timid 10-year-old, I never thought being president would be something I could do — it wasn’t even something I wanted to do at the time. 

However, it was the public speak- ing project, the interactions with our community, and my prior experience with the leadership team that led me to become the more confident person I am today. 4-H has truly helped me grow and find myself, and now I am honored to lead Lucky Clover to pass my experiences on to our young members. 

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Eleven days after the Buellton City Council offered to increase its financial pledge to the Santa Ynez Valley aquatic center project from $450,000 to $500,000 — but only if Solvang agreed to do the same — the Solvang City Council voted to meet that challenge during its Nov. 10 regular meeting. 

The aquatic center, which will be built on the Santa Ynez High School campus, is a joint undertaking involving the cities of Buellton and Solvang, the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District (SYVUHSD), and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 

The issue of the money pledged by each of the cities has become something of a tennis match between the two City Councils as they settle on an identical amount the two cities can pledge toward the project. 

Earlier this year the Solvang City Council approved Resolution 25-1281 that expressed support for SYVAF’s effort to provide the new and improved aquatic facility on the SYHS campus. This support was further in evidence with the adoption of the FY 25/26 City budget that committed $450,000 of Measure U funds upon project groundbreaking along with a few other conditions: That the pool serve youth, adults, families and seniors on a permanent basis; that the pledge will expire on June 30, 2028, if it is unutilized; and that the pledge will be withdrawn if the project becomes unviable. 

The issuing of another $450,000 pledge from the Buellton City Council was on the agenda during its regular meeting on Oct. 30. 

Instead of approving that amount, Buellton councilmembers floated the idea of increasing the pledge, with Mayor David Silva suggested a $500,000 figure so that the cities’ total pledge could be for $1 million, and said the idea was contingent on Solvang agreeing to the figure. 

Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy was at the Buellton meeting as an advocate for the aquatic center, and told that council he would bring it to the Solvang councilmembers, which he did for the Nov. 10 meeting. 

Murphy told the councilmembers that in addition to the cities increasing the pledge to the aquatic center project, their actions could spur the other partners, and outside interests, to donate more also. 

“A number of people in the community have donated, and we have a third of the money needed to get it built,” said Murphy of the $13.7 million project. 

When asked by Mayor David Brown whether the head of the Measure U committee was informed of the increase, Murphy said, “I talked with the head, and he said it was consistent with their aim.” Councilmember Elizabeth Orona asked whether the entire Measure U budget was earmarked for this. Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry said there was still a surplus after the pledge, which she later disclosed was $240,000. 

Lisa Palmer, board president of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation, spoke about the project during Public Comment, just as she did at the Buellton meeting. 

“Thank you to the council, and Mr. Murphy, for your support of the aquatic center,” she said. “When Buellton met, that was organic on their end, and I’m grateful. We are in talks with Chumash about them increasing participation, and since the Buellton meeting, we’ve had two $50K grants come in.” 

After the item went back to council, Elizabeth Orona still expressed reservations about increasing the amount and the timing of it.

“I just wonder if there’s a timeframe to the challenge [from Buellton]; I think we need to get through a couple of retail seasons to make sure we can do this, and I’m slightly concerned about pledging more 

than we did to the Senior Center,” she said. “If we don’t do something now, we are still supporting the project. There’s no compelling reason to do it now—we can do it more leisurely.” 

However, Councilmember Mark Infante believed this was the right time to act. 

“It’s not this year’s or next year’s budget,” he said. “It’s a pledge to support, if the money’s not there at the end, nothing happens. It’s a pledge to support, it’s not something we need to worry about this year. Therefore, I would move to approve the $50K to the pledge.” 

Elizabeth Orona remarked they should make sure Buellton votes to increase also, with Murphy saying he believed they would do so at a future meeting. 

With Infante’s motion still on the record, Councilmember Claudia Orona seconded and the item passed 4-1 with Elizabeth Orona voting no. 

The Solvang City Council will next meeting on Monday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m. The council will meet for its last meeting of the calendar year on Monday, Dec. 8. 

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On Sept. 26, Santa Ynez High School held Homecoming and crowned its royalty during halftime of the school’s football game against Santa Maria High.

Edgar Guzman was named Homecoming King and Anelly Tovalin was named Homecoming Queen. Both were selected from field of eight finalists in each category.

Anelly is a senior at SYHS who has competed on the girls wrestling team and is also a talented singer — she was in the school production of “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock” last spring, where she did a rendition of “Amazing Grace.” In fact, she gave as her favorite high school memory the time she was singing Bruno Mars tunes while selling pizza for OLA at a past Homecoming game.

After high school, Anelly plans to attend the University of Chicago, where she will major in pre-law with a minor in psychology. Her dream is to become an immigration lawyer, working to help families like her own.

Edgar is a senior at SYHS, who has played for the boys soccer and boys volleyball. He was a big part of the Pirates volleyball team’s run to the CIF state playoffs last spring and gave as his favorite memory the team’s victory over Arroyo Grande in the CIF quarterfinals.

After graduation, Edgar plans to attend college, with his dream school being the University of Texas, where he hopes to study sports marketing or marine biology. His dream job is to work in sports marketing, combining his love of athletics with his future career.

Other finalists for Homecoming King included Alex Molera, Yahir Torres, Von Gordon, Jude Pritchard, Greyson Foy, Levi Snow, and Diego Pulido. Queen finalists included Elena Sleiman, Emma Johnson, Alyssa Villareal, Haley Spry, Quinn Robinson, Eleanor Murphy, and Keegan Withrow.

The football Pirates made the Homecoming a happy one with a 41-0 victory over the visiting Santa Maria Saints.

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With the school year now upon us, the time has come again for the monthly awarding of the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge Student of the Month, giving to a deserving Santa Ynez High School student — for the month of September, the honoree is Ransell Perez Nunez.

Ransell has demonstrated outstanding dedication to his academics throughout high school. He currently holds a 3.5 GPA and has challenged himself with a rigorous course load. He is enrolled in AVID, has successfully completed two Honors courses and two AP classes, and has also taken four concurrent enrollment courses at Allan Hancock College. His commitment to growth and learning is evident in the way he balances a demanding academic schedule with his many extracurricular leadership roles.

Ransell is the youngest of four siblings and has lived in the Valley his entire life. He treasures his family and faith, and those values guide the way he shows up as a student and as a community member. When asked what he appreciates most about SYHS, Ransell shared that the closeness of the school and SYV Valley community makes it a place where “everyone knows and cares for each other.”

His role model is his brother Vidal, whose hard work and determination to overcome challenges inspire Ransell daily. That same perseverance has fueled his own academic and extracurricular success. A dedicated student, Ransell especially enjoys social studies, where engaging teachers encourage him to debate, defend, and challenge his beliefs. He says he learns the most through project-based learning and debates, which push him to think critically and grow.

Ransell is an involved and accomplished student leader. He currently serves as a regional FFA officer, representing students from San Jose to Los Angeles. He is also active in the Robotics Club, serves as Vice
President of the OLA Club, and has participated in theater. These activities have sharpened his leadership skills, given him a voice in shaping school culture, and strengthened his ability to connect with others. Through FFA, he has gained confidence in public speaking, and through OLA, he has found a sense of home and community.

He describes himself as hardworking, genuine, and committed to integrity — values instilled in him by his family. Even when facing challenges, like recovering from a serious car accident, Ransell has pushed forward with resilience and determination. His motivation to succeed academically comes from honoring his family’s sacrifices, as he strives to give back and provide them with security and pride. Looking ahead, Ransell hopes to attend UCLA or NYU, major in business or pre-law, and pursue a career in immigration or corporate law. His dream is not only to become a lawyer but also to start a foundation to help struggling populations rise out of homelessness.

Outside of academics, Ransell has a playful side—he can juggle, play some piano, and he loves the movie “Nacho Libre.” His advice to younger students is simple but powerful: “Apply yourself, try hard, and always level up. Be compassionate and kind to everyone.”

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Five former athletes and one former coach from Santa Ynez High are to be the newest additions to the school’s Wall of Fame. Parker Colvin, Josh Hartman, Coach Iain McPherson, Kelley Moore, Meghan Mosebar, and Chris Pace will be honored Friday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 before the Pirates’ football game against Nipomo High.

Parker Colvin

Colvin graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2009. He played four years of football and golf, and he earned the Jeff Rio Memorial Scholarship and was named the Most Valuable Male Athlete for the class of 2009.  After graduating high school, Parker attended Cal Lutheran University, where he played four years of golf. During his college career, his team had a NCAA Division III National Championship appearance in 2012, and 2013. In 2011 he was CLU’s golf team MVP and won Athlete of the Week for Southwest California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Colvin graduated from Cal Lutheran with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in sports medicine.

Josh Hartman

Hartman graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2006, where he was a standout athlete in both football and track. As a senior, he captured the Los Padres League titles in the 100 and 200 meters and also won the 100-meter dash at the Santa Barbara County Championships. On the football field, Josh earned All-League honors twice. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and honored as the school’s Most Valuable Male Athlete in his final year. After high school, Josh concluded his athletic career at Chapman University, playing football while earning a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in finance. Following graduation, he began working under one of his former coaches, Jim Colvin, who helped launch his career in the hospitality industry. Josh now serves as a director of revenue management.

Iain McPherson

Iain “Coach” McPherson left an enduring legacy at SYHS as a U.S. history teacher and a devoted coach of the soccer, swimming, and water polo teams. Known for his tough love approach, he earned respect from students and players by pushing them to achieve more than they thought possible. As an All-American swimmer himself, he coached numerous athletes to CIF, All League MVPs, and All-American. Beyond the classroom and pool, Iain was a proud Scotsman and family man, cherished by his wife Linda and daughters Kerry and Heather. In 1998, Coach McPherson was the winningest coach in SYVHS history with 1,359 wins; however, he passed away in February 1999 at the age of 53. It wasn’t the wins he valued most, but the special relationships he built with his students and players.

Kelley Moore

Moore graduated from SYHS in 1972. He went on to play football at Allan Hancock College and Chico State.  After graduating from CSU Chico in the spring of 1977, Dr. Coach Kelley Moore has been blessed to have had a lifetime, 49 years, in the coaching profession. The high-school portion of his career includes coaching tennis, wrestling, basketball, and track and field (28 years as head coach). Moore also spent four years with Allan Hancock College as the head track and field and cross country coach, and as an assistant coach for football.  That was followed by two years as Head Track and Field Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Thiel College. He has as an assistant football coach the last four years at Arizona Christian University.

Meghan Mosebar

Mosebar graduated from SYHS in 1995, went to Purdue University from 1995-1997, and transferred to and graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2000. Mosebar earned high honors each of her four years of high school: She earned varsity letters in volleyball three straight years as a middle hitter, named All-League First Team her sophomore and junior years. Her senior year, she set a school record for most blocks and kills in a single match, leading her team to a Los Padres League championship, and winning Los Padres League MVP honors. Meghan received athletic scholarship offers from many Division I schools and accepted a full volleyball scholarship to Purdue University in Indiana. During here junior year, Mosebar transferred to William and Mary in Virginia, where she also received a volleyball scholarship, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. While at William and Mary, she earned Dean’s List High Honors, All-Conference CAA Scholar Athlete, and was team Co-Captain 1999-2000. Meghan currently resides in Rockledge, Florida, where she has taught elementary school, and coached club volleyball. She now works with nonprofit organizations on the Space Coast of Florida, serving families with daycare and housing assistance, while enjoying life with her 19-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

Chris Pace

Pace graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2004. While at SYHS, he played water polo and soccer, and was a team captain on the swim team. Outside athletics he was the senior class president, a boys state school representative, and Eagle Scout. He was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in systems engineering management. While at the USAFA, he played water polo all four years, three times winning the varsity’s Hardest Worker Award, and in his senior year won the Derek Argel Memorial Award, for the athlete who demonstrates perseverance and an incredible work ethic, which was named for the former USAFA water polo player and alum of nearby Cabrillo High in Lompoc, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005.

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