Queer Youth Leadership Award – Awardees:
AIDEN PARTEN
he/him/his; all accepted
Student Body President, Branciforte Middle School and President, Muskequeers Club
Aiden Parten holds multiple leadership roles at Branciforte Middle School. He is currently the president of the school’s Muskequeers club, where he creates weekly agendas and leads club activities, in addition to his role as Student Body President, where he leads thirty student representatives in leadership programming. Aiden has highlighted the importance of GSA clubs to the Santa Cruz City Schools board, and spoke at the unveiling of LGBTQ History Posters about the impact of connecting history with future generations. Aiden also participates in the Diversity Center Youth Program, is a member of his school’s Garden Club, and is a gracious competitor in wrestling, cross-country, and volleyball. Aiden is described as an empathetic model student who does not back down from doing the work to make positive changes.
LAETITIA VIVIAN CHEN GLADNEY
they/them/theirs
Student, Santa Cruz High School
Laetitia Vivian Chen Gladney has been an activist since middle school who has had a big impact on their schools and community. As a student at Mission Hill Middle School, Laetitia helped write a grant to financially support the opening of all-gender bathrooms at the school and was also instrumental in advocating for Santa Cruz City School District to purchase and fly the Pride Flag at all district schools. Now at Santa Cruz High School, Laetitia continues their activism by working with school administration to keep all-gender bathrooms open during the entire school day and has helped secure free menstrual products for school bathrooms. In addition to their activism for the LGBTQIA+ community, Laetitia is also a member of the theater department where they advocate for diversity in casting.
LUKA CHAVEZ
he/him/his and they/them/theirs
Student, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
Luka Chavez has been a passionate leader and advocate in their school’s GSA since third grade, when they were a founding member of Watsonville Charter School of the Arts (WCSA) GSA Junior club. That year Luka wrote and directed a skit about supporting queer classmates, called “Be Yourself,” which was performed for second through sixth grade classes. In fifth grade Luka made and presented a video to the PVUSD board of trustees attesting to the importance of supporting LGBTQIA+ elementary school students and helped lead a schoolwide Harvey Milk assembly. In sixth grade Luka was a red carpet emcee for the Queer Youth Leadership awards. Now in seventh grade, Luka volunteers with the Queer Youth Task Force and was a youth panelist for the 2022 Understanding Gender Summit.
VICTOR ERSUNAY
he/him/his
Student, San Lorenzo Valley Middle School and Co-president, San Lorenzo Valley Middle School GSA Club
Victor Ersunay is the co-president of San Lorenzo Valley Middle School’s GSA club, where he works closely with the school’s principal to share meeting notes and facilitate positive changes to the school to support LGBTQIA+ students, such as adding a new all-gender bathroom and planning activities during LGBTQIA+ history month. Victor has also worked with the school librarian to include a list of books curated by the GSA to increase students’ exposure to the diverse experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community through literature. Victor bravely came out as trangender after returning from distance learning and has since grown in confidence, strengthening the school’s GSA club and joining the volleyball team. Victor is described as instrumental to positive change on the San Lorenzo Middle School campus.
Queer Youth Leadership Award – Nominees:
AARON GONZALES
Any pronouns
Student, Watsonville High School
Aaron Gonzales has been an activist in the LGBTQIA+ community for years. Aaron’s activism journey began in fifth grade when they became a founding member and the treasurer of the Watsonville Charter School of the Arts (WCSA) GSA Junior Club. Since then, Aaron has spoken at a PVUSD board meeting to thank trustees for their support of LGBTQIA+ students, came out as trangender in front of the whole school at WCSA’s Harvey Milk Day event, and been a panelist for the Understanding Gender Summit. This school year Aaron was an active participant in the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast and is described as a strong leader for the LGBTQIA+ community at Watsonville High School. Aaron was a 2022 Queer Youth Leadership Awardee.
ASHER SUNRISE TRAGESER
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, San Lorenzo Valley High School
Asher Sunrise Trageser has been described as an overachiever since kindergarten. Now a senior at San Lorenzo Valley High School (SLVHS), Asher has taken on several leadership roles while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. An out and proud student, Asher has helped many underclassmen through their coming out processes, and is referred to as a “gay father” to younger students. Asher has been dedicated to the performing arts through all four years of high school, and this fall directed their senior show The Bold, The Young, and The Murdered. In addition to theater, Asher has also played three years of high school basketball, founded and led the Pop Culture Club at SLVHS, and wrote their own fantasy column in the school newspaper.
CESAR REYES
he/him/his
Student, Watsonville High School | President, Watsonville High School Karaoke Club
Cesar Reyes is a student at Watsonville High School who is described as a “true icon” and a “celebrity” both on and off campus. Cesar is known for his sense of humor and for his many talents; he is a writer, plays the alto saxophone and violin, and has exceptional public speaking skills. Cesar has demonstrated strong leadership skills through his position as president of the school’s Karaoke Club and by hosting an interfaith religious club that welcomes individuals of all faiths and backgrounds to discuss philosophy and deep issues related to life and death. Cesar has been described as an insightful advocate for all people who has overcome many obstacles in his life, including displacement by the recent floods, to become a loud, proud, and confident person.
CHAI ROCAMORA
it/its & they/them/theirs
Leader, Diverse Youth Meetups | Student, San Lorenzo Valley High School
Chai Rocamora is described as an excellent person to have in your corner. Chai is a leader in the CA Film & Cultural Center’s (CAFCC) Diverse Youth Meetups where they have helped design online spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth as well as CAFCC’s new physical location. Chai volunteers as stage manager for San Lorenzo Valley High School theater department, where they are a good example for LGBTQIA+ and questioning students. At school Chai is known as an advocate for other queer and trans students who helps make sure students know their legal rights and has assisted in the school’s Gender and Sexualities Awareness club activities. When faced with discrimination from adults or peers, Chai responds with calm and direct conversations that help change hearts and minds.
CHRISTIANA HERZOG
she/her/hers
Student, Branciforte Middle School | President, Muskequeers Club
Christiana Herzog is Branciforte Middle School Muskequeer Club’s “tiny but mighty” president where she recognizes the gifts of her fellow students and helps them find their own confidence with her collaborative leadership style. As club president, Christiana creates weekly agendas, leads the twenty-plus student club meetings, and has provided feedback to administrators about queer student experiences in a focus group for the School Climate Survey. Christiana’s leadership is also showcased in team settings; she has been active in drumline, volleyball, and cross-country. Christiana has been a youth volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club and is also the interim president of her school’s Anime Club. Christina has overcome bullying to become a straight-A student who is described as a hard worker, responsible, and consistently positive.
CORVINROOK CHAMPION
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, Scotts Valley High School
Corvinrook Champion makes a difference in their community by being a role model to younger students, representing the LGBTQIA+ community in theater, and contributing to activist movements on campus. As an openly queer, transgender, and asexual student, Corvinrook inspires younger students on campus to be themselves, and motivates their peers to stand up against prejudice. Corvinrook is active in Scotts Valley high School’s theater, where they increase LGBTQIA+ visibility in their lead acting roles. Corvinrook is a leader in the school’s Sexuality and Gender Acceptance club, assisting in events for Aromantic Awareness Week, Transgender Day of Visibility, LGBTQIA+ history trivia games, and more. Corvinrook works to overcome racism and transphobia to continue their work to make Scotts Valley High School a more inclusive place.
JAMIE MCLEAN
they/them/theirs Student, San Lorenzo Valley High School
Jamie McLean is described by their teachers as hard-working, self-disciplined, respectful, professional and considerate. Jamie was co-president of the Pop Culture Club, co-directed the play The Bold, The Young, and The Murdered, and has received two Visual and Performing Arts Awards for their work. As a co-director, Jamie was intentional about respecting and including LGBTQIA+ student performers, making sure everyone introduced themselves with pronouns and respected each other’s identities. During the course of the show, Jamie’s inclusive leadership inspired one of the actors to come out as transgender. As an out nonbinary person, Jamie often deals with being misgendered and not having their pronouns respected, but continues to live authentically, showing those around them that there’s no one right way to be nonbinary.
JUNIPER BROWN
he/him/his & they/them/theirs Leader, Diverse Youth Meetups
Juniper Brown is a leader both at the CA Film & Cultural Center’s (CAFCC) Diverse Youth Meetups, where they have helped design LGBTQIA+ discord spaces as well as CAFCC’s physical location, and is a leader in their community. Juniper runs money-free art swapping and money-free goods swapping communities and has showcased their talents through graphic design, art, and social media work for several local businesses and organizations. Juniper has overcome their shyness attributed to ASD to speak about their experience as a young trans person for a panel for Encompass Community Services and panels for EDI Educators for county health and education staff members. This past fall, Juniper presented the workshop “Guinea Pig Care: The Queerest Pet” at the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast.
NICO OLMSTEAD
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, Delta Charter High School | Councilmember, Queer and Trans Youth Council
Nico Olmstead is a leader at his school, work, and in the community. Nico is an active member of Delta’s leadership team and helps plan events and activities for the school. Nico works at Mar Vista Elementary’s after-school program where he helps create safe and engaging experiences for young children. Nico is also a gifted artist. He designed the 2021 Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit t-shirt and is in charge of artistic design of the Queer and Trans Youth Council’s zine Queer Agenda. Nico takes on all of these opportunities while also excelling academically at both Delta and Cabrillo College. Nico is described as having a quiet and calm leadership style and as someone who collaborates with his peers to create positive learning environments for everyone.
Q LICHT
he/him/his
Student, Scotts Valley High School
Q Licht has been an exceptional advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth for several years. In 2020 he created the Purple Sticker Project to make books with positive LGBTQIA+ representation more accessible in school libraries, a project that is now being used across the county. In 2022 he was a member of the Queer and Trans Youth Council who helped create a survey to gather data on how to support Santa Cruz County high school students’ access to all-gender bathrooms. Now a senior in high school, he has been a youth representative for the Safe Schools Project’s Top 40 LGBTQIA+ Book List and advocated at the Scotts Valley City Council for LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies. Q is the Scotts Valley Youth of the Year, and was a 2021 Queer Youth Leadership Awardee.
RAYMOND CALVAN
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, New Brighton Middle School | Secretary, New Brighton Middle School QSA
Raymond Calvan is the secretary of New Brighton Middle School’s QSA who is described as a natural leader whose commanding and authoritative voice engages everyone in listening when he speaks. Raymond also leads with kindness and compassion and is known as a mediator for students who are having a conflict. When a volunteer is needed for a task, Raymond is the first one to speak up and step up, making sure all of the QSA’s needs are met and club members are supported. In addition to his leadership role, Raymond is also an amazing musician who plays the trumpet. Raymond is described as mature beyond his years and as someone who is a role model for young people both in and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community.
REESE ROSENQUIST
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, San Lorenzo Valley High School
Reese Rosenquist’s greatest strengths have been described as their kindness and open-mindedness. As an out queer and trans student, Reese supports their peers who are struggling with their identity and who are coming out for the first time to their parents. Reese is also an inspiration for middle school students through their role as sound tech for San Lorenzo Valley Middle School theater, where they do an amazing job orchestrating conversations and facilitating collaborative projects. Reese has been an active member in their school’s GSA, and works to spread information about anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and ways to be a better activist and ally for the community. Reese is pursuing their goal of becoming a firefighter through an internship with the Boulder Creek Volunteer Station.
SION ERKILETIAN
they/them/theirs
Student, Delta Charter High School | Councilmember, Queer and Trans Youth Council
Sion Erkiletian is described as wise beyond their years and an asset to Delta High School’s QSA and overall school community. Sion excels academically both in their high school and college classes and often takes on leadership roles in QSA club meetings. Sion is a member of the 2023 Queer and Trans Youth Council, where they researched and wrote several articles for the zine Queer Agenda including articles about safer sex and how to bind safely. Sion also took on several administrative tasks to get the zine printed. Sion has described themself as a shy person but has proven they are adept at working through shyness and anxiety to lead with compassion and an open mind to make everyone feel comfortable and supported.
TIM SCOTT
he/him/his
Student, Aptos High School
Tim Scott is described as someone who has empathy for others and brings joy and humor to the lives of those he connects with. Tim is an athlete who has his second dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do, runs track and cross-country for Aptos High School, and he teaches friends and family how to improve their running skills. Tim also has a 3.8 GPA, takes AP classes, is in the Aptos High Drama Club, and is a Youth Aid at Santa Cruz Junior Lifeguards. In his free time Tim plays Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. Tim is described as a loving and dedicated family member and someone who can build a strong community of friends in any setting.
