Santa Ynez High junior will preside over Youth Rec’s Kick-off event on April 27 at Buellton’s River View Park

Kacy Caplan has been chosen as Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation Queen for 2025. She will represent the Santa Ynez Valley and perform the various duties that the title Queen requires.  

Caplan is the daughter of Robyn and Brian Caplan and her grandmother is Paula Albrecht. She also has an older sister, Boe, and a twin brother, Cole. She is currently a junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Caplan says she is looking forward to raising funds for the youth in the Valley so that they can experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that she has benefited from and has had the opportunity to enjoy. She believes in giving back to the community that has given her so much.

“Growing up in the Valley, I have had the opportunity to experience so much, such as raising turkeys and pigs in Lucky Clover 4-H, playing in a variety of sports, dancing, and spending time with my friends at our local parks,” stated Caplan in her application letter. “In high school, I took on leadership roles such as FFA President and ASB class officer. I am also a varsity athlete in girls’ golf (for three years) and track (for two years). The incredible sports facilities in our community, many of which have been built and maintained by SYV Youth Recreation, have had a lasting impact on student athletes, just like me.

“Beyond school, I am also an active member of the National Charity League, where I have volunteered at numerous community events, including the Youth Rec Queen events in years past. I have seen first-hand how much SYVRC has provided for local youth, and I am grateful for the excellent opportunities it has given me, and many others.” 

Caplan said she is proud of serving SYV Youth Rec, whether or not she is Queen.

“Ever since I started volunteering at the youth Rec Queen events, I have had people ask me if I wanted to become queen. I would always respond with a ‘maybe,’ to not seem like the only reason I was volunteering was to become queen, because that was not the case at all,” said Caplan. “However, the more people asked (which was not a ton) themore I saw it as a great opportunity and something I would love to do. I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen, and I am very honored to be given this position.”

Caplan explained what some of her duties are, now that she has been chosen Rec Queen.

“A lot of my duties revolve around the three main events. For instance, I help a lot with the auction part of the events: asking businesses and people for donations, picking those donations up, setting up baskets for different items, making sure it is all organized, and, of course, showcasing the items during the live auction,” she said. “All the money made at the auction goes to the Youth Rec, and they use this money to help the youth in our Valley. For example, they have built several facilities at the high school, including the weight room, supplying all the weight systems, the swimming pool, the softball diamond, the tennis complex, rebuilt the baseball complex and built the Ag Barn for the FFA. They also built the enclosure for the paint booth at the auto shop and continue to help the various teams and clubs at the high school. Amazingly, I have been chosen to help run these events, because I want to give back to the community that has blessed me with so many great things.”

Caplan is looking forward to attending college after she graduates from SYHS next year.

“After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year college outside the state. I want to major in ag communications,” she said. “I have a few schools in mind, such as Texas A&M and Kansas State.”

Caplan realizes the work that is involved with being Rec Queen, and is honored to be a part of it.

“I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen. However, after the initial feelings wore off, I was very honored,” she said. “Getting closer to the events, I realize that it is going to be a lot of work, but it is also going to be a lot of fun.These events are really fun to attend and volunteer at. Knowing that these events are helping raise money for the youth in our Valley makes all the work worth it in the end.”

SYV Youth Rec got a fitting and deserving individual to take the Queen’s crown (which in this case is embroidered on a 10-gallon hat), according to Frank Kelsey, the executive director of Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation. 

“We chose Kacy based on her interest in our program and her outstanding success as a student at Santa Ynez High School,” Kelsey said. “For the last several years she has attended and helped at all of our events. Kacy is an athlete, an ASB officer, and president of the SYFFA.”

The events which Queen Kacy Caplan will preside over are as follows:

  • The Kick-Off event will be a barbecue and auction held at noon on Sunday, April 27, at River View Park in Buellton.
  • The second event will be held on Monday, May 5, at Gainey Winery in Santa Ynez. It will feature a luncheon and an auction.
  • On Friday, May 16, New Frontiers Market will be donating 5% of its sales to the Santa Ynez Valley Rec Queen Campaign. Come shop, meet Queen Kacy Caplan, and help her with this fundraising event.   
  • The final event will be held on Friday, May 23. A dinner and auction will be held at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang. 

“I look forward to raising funds for the youth in our Valley to experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that I have,” Caplan said. “We are ready to start the 2025 Queen’s Campaign and I would greatly appreciate your support! Please save these dates for upcoming events — I cannot wait to celebrate with my family, friends, and all of you!”

SYV Youth Rec was started in 1955 to raise money to build a pool at the high school. It was completed in 1965 andSYV Youth Rec has raised over $4 million for local youth programs and facilities and has funded many projects at Santa Ynez High School, fields at local elementary and middle schools, and the volleyball, baseball, and soccer fields at Sunny Fields Park, among other accomplishments.

For more information on SYV Youth Rec, or information on attending the events or donating to Caplan’s campaign, visit www.syvyouthrec.org.