Ally to Queer Youth Award – Awardee:
DEYANIRA MATSUO-ALBOR | Nominee
she/her/hers
Lead Custodian, Lakeview Middle School
Deyanira Matsuo-Albor, known to students as Matsuo, is the lead custodian at Lakev – iew Middle School. In addition to being an invaluable member of the Lakeview team, she’s also an active ally for the LGBTQ+ community, showing her support by attend – ing Lakeview LGBTQ+ events and dedicating her time to help the QSA club. When students wanted to create a rainbow door for National Coming Out Day, Matsuo secured the door frame, ensuring they had the opportunity to express themselves while also being safe. Matsuo is a compassionate, approachable, and reliable ally who continuously shows her commitment to making Lakeview a supportive and inclusive place for the LGBTQ+ community in more ways than one. Every day, Matsuo invites students to help her raise the progress flag in recognition of diverse identities and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ acceptance and equality. Matsuo cares deeply for each individual on campus, standing up against hate and discrimination and serving as a safe and trusted confidant for LGBTQ+ students and staff.
Ally to Queer Youth Award – Nominees:
CYBELE LOLLEY, LMFT | Nominee
she/her/hers
Clinical Program Director, The Diversity Center
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Cybele has risen as a true leader in the advocacy of mental health and wellbeing services for LGBTQ+ youth. Cybele started The Diversity Center’s Mental Health Clinic from scratch to ensure free & accessible LGBTQ+ Affirming counseling services for English and Spanish speaking youth and families through virtual and in-person sessions at schools, The Diversity Center, and Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA). Cybele is preparing the next generation of clinicians to better serve a diverse range of families and youth. She has also provided training on LGBTQ+ Affirming Mental Health Care and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) to clinical and administrative staff at youth-serving behavioral health organizations. In addition to her advocacy for gender-neutral bathrooms and her contributions as an affirming clinician, trainer, and advocate for SOGIE inclusive organizational practices, her efforts as The Diver – sity Center’s Clinic Program Director rightfully earned her the PVPSA Heroes in Prevention Award for Youth and Young Adults in 2024.
DESI SALINAS-HOLZ | Nominee
he/him/his
Student, Watsonville High School | Co-president, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club | Member, Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) Student Advisory Council | Athletic Commissioner, Associated Student Body (ASB)
Growing up with openly queer parents, Desi has actively participated in pride parades and events his entire life. He became an ally and activist as early as 5th grade when he joined his schools’ Gender and Sexuality (GSA) Club to support queer and trans youth through elementary and middle school. Now a Junior at Watsonville High School, Desi is the athletic commissioner for ASB and has taken on additional responsibilities as Co-president of his school’s GSA Club. Desi is also a member of the PVUSD Student Advisory Council and, over the years, has spoken at many school board meetings advocating for more Ethnic Studies and LGBTQ+ youth rights. He has also been involved in the Watsonville Ivy League Project, varsity cross country and track, and school theater productions including the revival of a play about homophobic bully – ing called What’s in a Name. No stranger to QYLA, Desi volunteered as last year’s emcee and continues to advocate for equity and social justice as an LGBTQ+ ally.
EM WHITWELL | Nominee
they/them/theirs
Teacher, New Brighton Middle School (NBMS) | Coach, NBMS Soccer | Advisor, Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) Club
As a science teacher, soccer coach, mentor, and club leader at New Brighton Middle School, Mx. Whit, is an outstanding role model of queer visibility, affirmation, and inclusion. Their leadership has helped create a safe space for students and staff to be their genuine selves and feel supported while navigating challenging discussions and complex emotions. When faced with a parent’s hateful social media post, Mx. Whit displayed vulnerability and courage, standing up against adult bullying and modeling unwavering support on behalf of LGBTQ+ students. As the NBMS QSA advisor, Mx. Whit has the incredible ability to create a space that allows for all voices and perspectives to be heard, fostering productive discourse and communal support. They have also supported students who wanted to attend LGBTQ+ events such as the Rainbow Conference. While waiting in line at the conference, Mx. Whit had students huddle up to discuss their goals for the conference, and when the huddle broke, the students’ excitement and sheer joy was palpable.
JEN SALINAS-HOLZ | Nominee
she/her/hers/ella
Advisor, Lakeview Middle School Queer Student Alliance (QSA) Club | Master of Social Work (MSW) Intern, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA)
As 2019’s Ally to Queer Youth Awardee, Jen continues to support the queer community and raise awareness about the challenges queer youth face. Jen collaborates with TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County to present and facilitate the annual Understanding Gender Summit, part of the Rainbow Conference, which teaches parents, educators, and adult allies about gender diversity and how to better support gender-diverse youth. She was the founder and advisor of the first elementary school GSA club in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), and has advised seven GSA clubs in Watsonville, including PRISM, a community GSA started in 2024 at the Raíces y Cariño family center. In 2023, Jen co-founded the Rainbow Defense Coalition of Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley, an organization that provides volunteer safety brigades for community events involving LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized groups. As an openly queer adult, Jen not only helps students feel affirmed and accepted at school, but also advocates for LGBTQ+ youth throughout the Watsonville community.
JESSICA HASSANI | Nominee
she/her/hers
School Counselor, Soquel Elementary School | Co-founder & Advisor, Rainbow Club
Jessica is a well-respected and trusted counselor at Soquel Elementary School who ensures queer youth have affirming mental health resources on campus and models LGBTQ+ allyship to all students. She has been instrumental in improving the school environment, taking action against bullying and harassment, initiating conversations with targeted youth and offenders, teaching students to be more accepting of others’ backgrounds and identities, and showing students how to advocate for their peers. Whereas in the past there were reported instances of harassment, today, the school has had no reported instances of LGBTQ+ youth bullying. As the co-founder and advisor for Soquel Elementary’s first Rainbow Club, Jessica has helped normalize, welcome, and celebrate LGBTQ+ parents, families, and students. During Rainbow Club meetings, she shares videos and reads books that feature LGBTQ+ people, talks about acceptance, and leads projects like the “ABCs of Acceptance” book. This book features a collection of student drawings and brainstormed words, feelings, and actions to remind us we all belong and deserve respect.
MEGGIE PINA | Nominee
she/her/hers
Director of Well-being Programs, The Diversity Center | Co-lead, Queer Student Union (QSU) | Co-lead, Monterey County Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council
As the Director of Well-being Programs at The Diversity Center, Meggie is responsible for overseeing a team of volunteers and staff, facilitating support groups for Santa Cruz and Watsonville youth and creating events to improve LGBTQ+ community engagement, advocacy, and acceptance. Meggie not only facilitated CampOUT, Queer Youth Prom with Santa Cruz COE, Rainbow Kids Circle, and a county-wide GSA skate night, she’s also collaborated with TransFamilies, Raíces y Cariño, the Museum of Art and History (MAH), and the SCCOE to organize group trips to events like Cal – ifornia’s LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day and MAH’s Threads of Love AIDS quilt exhibition. Meggie is also helping build an educational foundation for schools and youth-serving organizations as the Co-leader of QSU and Monterey County’s Rainbow Connec – tions Youth Empowerment Council. Additionally, Meggie has re-built the Triangle Speakers program and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) training, written curricula for GSA and QSA, and become a certified trainer for Welcoming Schools. Meggie is a Queer Chicana multidisciplinary artist, advocate, and community organizer.
NANCY WILLARD, MPH | Nominee
she/her/hers & they/them/theirs
Health Services Manager, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency | Lead, Rainbow Glitter Kids Day | Lead, Soquel Elementary School Rainbow Club
As the former Director of the Teen Health Outreach Program, Nancy provided com – prehensive, accurate, and inclusive sexual health education to all Santa Cruz County teens, and advocated for improved sex education resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Now Santa Cruz County’s Health Services Manager, Nancy continues to stand up for LGBTQ+ health and rights and courageously dedicate their time to LGBTQ+ affirming clubs for younger children. As the Lead for the Rainbow Club at Soquel Elementary School, Nancy creates a safe place at school for LGBTQ+ elementary kids, and their allies. The past two years, Nancy has also been the lead organizer of Rainbow Glitter Kids, the elementary-level community at Watsonville High School’s Rainbow Conference. A day full of food, stories, crafts, and games, Rainbow Glitter Kids provides a playful and creative environment for kids to make friends and explore their queer identities. This event also gives parents and guardians the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and exchange resources.
RAYNA “RAY” TERRY | Nominee
she/her/hers & they/them/theirs
Jr. Staff, Food What?!
Rayna is a New School graduate who has dedicated the last two years to a youth empowerment and food injustice program called Food What?!. As a spring intern, she and other crew members learned about organic farming, culinary arts, and healthy food access, stepping outside their comfort zones to grow, cook, eat, and distribute fresh food. Ray quickly earned their position as Junior Staff, leading games, farm work, and inviting other youth to unapologetically be themselves. By sharing their difficult experiences with mental health, and being open about their own learning and growth, Ray has helped create a supportive and safe space for all youth to feel empowered and confident in their identities. She has also educated youth and staff about pronouns by kindly correcting people if she is misgendered, demonstrating the importance of pronouns and showing that it’s ok to ask others to respect your gender identity. As a natural leader, Rayna’s allyship, humility, kind nature, and unwavering commitment to being themselves has encouraged others to do the same.
REX OLIVIERI | Nominee
he/him/his
Teacher, San Lorenzo Valley Middle School (SLVMS) | Advisor, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club
Rex is a dedicated leader of SLVMS’ GSA Club, providing LGBTQ+ students with unwavering support, mentorship, and advocacy. When there was an increase in harassment in response to the school’s support of LGBTQ+ rights, Rex was a fierce advocate, ensuring LGBTQ+ students’ voices were heard and using inclusionary practices to help close-minded students learn, grow, and become more compassionate. Rex also facilitates projects and events centered around students’ voices and values. One such event is an ever-popular Trevor Project fundraiser in which Rex and the SLVMS Principal volunteer to be water balloon targets. The GSA’s recent growth can be attributed to the empowering and inclusive environment Rex fosters. His GSA students say he readily wants to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and is mindful of students’ situations. Rex encourages GSA members to meet regularly with the Principal and Dean of Students to address school-wide improvements. Thanks to Rex’s mentorship, students have confidently advocated for gender-neutral restrooms and an expansion of the library collection to better represent LGBTQ+ youth.
RICARDO YERENA | Nominee
he/him/his/él
Agro-Engineer | Farmer | Community Health Worker
As a father passionate about his community, Ricardo works with Raíces y Cariño to actively challenge LGBTQ+ misinformation and stigma within the Spanish-speaking community and create safe spaces for parents to learn, ask questions, and grow as allies. Through culturally mindful education, Ricardo leads support groups and parent sessions to help families move from uncertainty to acceptance, directly combating biases that harm LGBTQ+ youth. He is a fearless advocate who meets families where they are, guiding them toward understanding and equipping them with tools to support their LGBTQ+ children. He ensures queer identities are seen, understood, and embraced, collaborating with organizations like TransFamilies to build strong allyship networks and celebrate queer youth. Ricardo’s work at events like the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Parent Conference, and his leadership on the Spanish-speaking panel at The Diversity Center’s Triangle Speakers, has empowered dozens of families to break cycles of discrimination, create affirming homes, and normalize conversations about LGBTQ+ youth in a way that fosters lasting change.
TOBIN W. KELLER | Nominee
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Faculty, Cabrillo College Art Department | Co-Chair, Rainbow Council | Faculty Advisor, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club | President, Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers (CCFT)
In addition to being an art faculty member and President of the CCFT, Tobin is the faculty advisor for Cabrillo College’s GSA Club. For the past three years, Tobin has helped the GSA get established, organize offices, schedule meetings and events, raise the pride flag on Harvey Milk Day and National Coming Out Day, and host annual events like the Transgender Day of Remembrance. They have also facilitated important field trips and training including a trip to a two-spirit inclusive indigenous gathering where queer students could connect with and learn from two-spirited individuals. Tobin has also advocated the GSA’s seat on the Cabrillo Rainbow Council, a task force of administration, faculty, staff, and student leaders who ensure Cabrillo integrates LGBTQ+ resources, programming, curricula, and training into existing programs and services. As a Rainbow Council leader, Tobin has played a pivotal role in developing and instituting support for the annual Lavender graduation and Queer Prom which serve to uplift, inspire, and celebrate Cabrillo’s LGBTQ+ community.
ZAK KEITH | Nominee
they/them/theirs
Advisor, Staff & Peer Group Facilitator, The Diversity Center | Co-lead, Queer Student Union (QSU)
Zak is a radically positive and authentic role model who has united many community organizations like the Diversity Center, Safe Schools, Santa Cruz Pride, and Raíces y Cariño to collectively advocate for queer youth. As a doctorate candidate studying queer youth culture and identity at UCSC, Zak is creating youth groups to pass along their knowledge and demystify the non-binary identity journey. One such group is Genderventures, a monthly gender-diverse group that hosts discussions and creative activities to explore how gender informs their life experiences, and another is Prismatic Gathering, an adventure program with safe, welcoming spaces for youth to connect and decompress. In addition, Zak serves as Co-lead of the QSU and has taken the initiative to identify which Diversity Center queer youth activities are the most effective and why, establishing the Diversity Center’s “Theory of Change” to reallocate the center’s time, resources, and spending. Zak also performs drag as Rogue Roulette, volunteering their time and talent to Queer Prom, Drag Story Time, and Drag Bingo.
