Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1500375
We wish you much success as you continue on your journey: MountMadonnaSchool.org • California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo • Clarkson University • Purchase College, State University of New York • Tulane University • University of California, Los Angeles • University of California, San Diego • University of California, Santa Barbara All proceeds to benefit local youth! Boys & Girls CLubs of Santa Cruz County Friday July 7th, 2023 AT DeLaveaga Golf Course 52nd Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County Golf Tournament inaugural Sip & Paint! Join us for a fun day on the course at DeLaveaga, followed by an evening program and dinner! 11:30 Registration 1:00 Shotgun Start (Scramble Format) 5:30 pm BBQ Dinner at The Grille at DeLa Early Bird Reg. Until 6/9: $750 Foursome or $225 Individual 3:00-5:00 Painting Class (2 hrs) 5:30 pm BBQ Dinner at The Grille at DeLa Registration: $75 Includes painting materials, dinner, and evening program featuring raffle and auction. www.boysandgirlsclub.info GOLF QR PAINT QR Sponsored by New Leaf Community Markets High School for all of the in-person years and is an avid fan of South Korean music known as K-pop and the group BTS spe- cifically. Like her dance practice, K-pop helped Gomez Cruz through stressful times. "All of their music just made me feel very safe and I could relate to them," said Gomez Cruz. "I didn't know how to cope during the pandemic and they really helped me to keep going. They've been a big part of my life that helped me through a rough patch." Gomez Cruz is not only passionate about dance, but math as well. Having aced all the AP math classes she's taken in high school, she plans to study finance at San Francisco State University in the fall. She said that her advanced math skills come in large part from the wonderful teachers she's had at Santa Cruz High such as "Mr. K," who always had a spare calculator when Gomez Cruz forgot hers, and also taught her a big lesson, that it's OK to ask for help. "Although math does get really hard sometimes, especially this year, having that connection with my teachers really helped," said Gomez Cruz. "There were times when I would stay after class and my teacher would gladly go through problems with me step by step. I always felt free to ask all the questions I had." With college on the horizon, Gomez Cruz is sad to soon leave the close friends she made in high school, but excited for her life in the big city. Although, because she was born outside of the United States, she is faced with financial chal- lenges because she isn't able to apply for federal financial aid. "College is very, very expensive," said Gomez Cruz. "Since unfortu- nately I do not have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), finding a job is going to be one of my biggest struggles that I face while I'm away. My parents will help me, but I'll have to figure things out on my own and it's very scary since my options and opportunities are limited due to the fact that I'm not a U.S. citizen. That's one of the biggest strug- gles I'll have to face and have been facing." Despite the obstacles and challenges ahead, Gomez Cruz is determined to succeed and most of all, make her parents proud. "Obviously, I'm going to have ups and downs when I'm in college, but I hope to keep my studies going through the ups and downs," said Gomez Cruz. "Even if I feel down or even if I, in a way, break, I want to have that confidence and have that strength to pick myself back up and keep going and keep striving for my dreams." Santa Cruz High School graduate Nadia Gomez Cruz plans to study finance at San Francisco State University this fall. (Credit: Nadia Gomez Cruz) Nadia Gomez Cruz and her mom pose together after a Senderos dance performance. (Credit: Nadia Gomez Cruz) Gift ideas for high school graduates The class of 2023 soon will be donning their caps and gowns and receiving their diplomas. After commencement ceremonies, graduation parties will soon follow. For party guests, that means finding the right gifts for grads. Some high school graduates will continue their studies at colleges and universities. Others may pursue careers in various trades. Still, some graduates may be ready to enter the workforce right away. No matter the direction, these gifts can treat graduates to something special. Travel accessories Graduates may want to go on a trip before they take the next step in their lives. Quality travel gear is a worthy invest- ment. Select luggage that won't exceed airport carry-on limits so grads can cut the baggage check lines when they dart away to locales near or far. Carry-on bags also fit easily in bus cargo areas or in the trunks of cars. Pair the gifts with standard or digital lug- gage tags. Streaming TV device While it's certainly pos- sible to watch favorite shows or films on mobile devices, viewing is that much clearer on televi- sions. Rather than grad- uates having to invest in cable television wher- ever they go, streaming devices like AppleTV or Roku are portable, which means they can be used at home, in a dorm room or on vacation. Secured credit card Individuals typically are eligible to apply for credit cards once they reach age 18, which is the age most students are when they gradu- ate high school. Credit cards are one method of establishing solid credit, so it can be beneficial for a teen to have one. But it can be challenging for individuals with no credit histories to get approval. A secured card, according to Capital- One, is a credit card that requires money depos- ited with the credit card issuer in order to open the account. This secu- rity deposit is held by the issuer as long as the account is open. Often the security deposit is the same as the credit limit. Gift-givers can help establish secured cards for grads by providing the funds for the security deposits. Wireless earbuds or headphones Upgrade grads' audio with the newest wireless earbuds or headphones. This way they can take them to the gym or use them to listen to shows or music while sharing spaces with others, including college room- mates. Smartphone wallet case Teenagers are seldom without their phones. A smartphone wallet case enables graduates to stash IDs, credit or debit cards and some cash into specially designed pockets built into the phone cases. This keeps all essentials in one spot. Framed memorabilia Whether a graduate was a star athlete or a premier member of the marching band, gift-giv- ers can provide special memories of time spent in school. Frame ticket stubs, sports jerseys, show programs, or other memorabilia that com- memorates a graduate's glory days at their alma mater. By Metro Create Metro Create stock photo University...continued from page 1