Queer Youth Leadership Award – Awardees:
ASH R. IMMOOR | Awardee
he/him/his
Student, El Nido School | Student Trustee, Santa Cruz County Board of Education
A student at El Nido High and a Student Trustee on the Santa Cruz County Board of Educa- tion, Ash has emerged as a profound leader and advocate for improved LGBTQIA2S+ inclu- sion, respect, and outreach. At his first Community Outreach and Legislative meeting, Ash proposed that the United Against Hate Resolution be expanded to include bullying as a form of hate. The long-standing adult committee agreed, and after Trustee Imoor created and presented the motion, it was quickly and unanimously adopted. As the first student trustee to attend the board’s annual retreat, he also changed the course of discussions, raising concerns about board performance and pushing them to consider more inclusive language, especially regarding students with academic disabilities or challenges. Trustee Immoor has also worked to improve student outreach initiatives, personally visiting several Alternative Education schools, speaking with students about common issues they’ve faced, and relaying their experiences to the board. A proud trans youth representative, Ash has advocated for gender affirming care at Sacramento’s Advocacy Day and served on the “Why YOU Should Care About Gender Affirming Care” panel, emphasizing the importance of affirming care, from medical intervention to respecting one’s pronouns.
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EVEREST VASQUEZ | Awardee
any pronouns
Student, Harbor High School | Member, Queer Student Union (QSU)
A student and steadfast leader at Harbor High, Everest cares deeply for their peers and queer community, demonstrating a unique and transformative blend of quiet strength and fierce conviction. He consistently shows up ready to make a difference, uplifting peers with affirmations, providing project support, and promoting queer visibility with his designs. As a leader in QSU, Everest designed two of their logos and is currently develop- ing a Queer Youth Survival Guide, a resource intended to support LGBTQIA2S+ students with tools, guidance on bullying, historical context, and peer empowerment. She also played a pivotal role in creating QSU’s School Climate & Inclusion Survey, transforming abstract concerns into actionable data on student safety and shaping county-wide policy discussions. A youth panelist at the LGBTQ+ Symposium, Everest also spoke publicly on complex topics regarding school environments. Their advocacy has even led them to offer public comment on federal legislation regarding gender-affirming care and, more recently, speak with Sacramento state representatives in support of inclusive LGBTQIA2S+ policies. Everest’s unwavering vision and heartfelt advocacy for a more equitable world make them an exemplar of what it means to lead today and into the future.
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JASPER ALBRECHT | Awardee
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, Cypress High School | Member, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club
Jasper is a student leader and advocate at Cypress High School who embodies actionable activism, fiercely protecting student rights regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. If a fellow student is being treated unfairly or discriminated against, Jasper doesn’t hesitate to speak up, even if they are the only voice, demonstrating an inspirational fearlessness. Overcoming his own challenges with mental health and mobility, Jasper has been there for other students, listening with an open heart, offering support and validation, and advocating for change, whether it’s instilling confidence and self-worth in others or making the campus more wheelchair accessible. For the past two years, Jasper has been a leader in GSA, facilitating meetings, planning events, managing logistics, creating flyers, and organizing discussions to help students process today’s political climate and national issues, including the Supreme Court’s ruling to sustain a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Jasper was also essential in organizing events like Coming Out Day, the Gender Affirming Clothing Swap, and the more somber Transgender Day of Remembrance. Jasper is a powerful activist whose intellect, empathy, and leadership have benefited and will continue to positively impact their local and national community.
NAYELA SOLEDAD REYNOSO | Awardee
he/him/his & they/them/theirs
Student, Anzar High School | Intern, The Diversity Center | Founder, Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) Club |
Founder, Pride Club | Member, Queer Student Union (QSU)
Soledad is a powerful student leader at Anzar High School whose courage, creativity, and deep care for his community are not only helping build safe, affirming spaces for others but also actively shaping a more visible and joyful future for queer youth. As the founder and leader of Anzar’s QSA and Pride Club, Soledad took the initiative to organize outreach and events, such as The Trevor Project fundraiser, to ensure students have access to queer-affirming spaces and representation. An intern at The Diversity Center, Soledad is also responsible for designing the cover art for The Rainbow Reader magazine, volunteering at senior luncheons to provide care and connection to LGBTQIA2S+ elders, organizing and moderating a queer author event, and, as a member of the Queer Prom Planning Committee, helping select themes for the queer proms. Soledad has also co-facilitated youth workshops at the Rainbow Conference, attended the Queer Youth Summit as a workshop leader, helped develop a Queer Youth Survival Guide as a member of QSU, and contributed to the MAH’s Threads of Love exhibit. Soledad models the power of living authentically and unapologetically as a trans activist, fearlessly stepping into leadership roles and relentlessly advocating for queer visibility, inclusivity, and representation.
Queer Youth Leadership Award – Nominees:
AALIYAH A. ARELLANO | Nominee
she/her/hers
Student, Watsonville High School
Aaliyah is a dedicated and hardworking student at Watsonville High School whose positive energy and willingness to help others have made her a strong role model amongst her peers. Aaliyah proudly embraces her identity as a gay individual and queer advocate, inspiring others to be their authentic selves. Aaliyah collaborates with classmates, communicates effectively, and dedicates herself fully to projects. A student in the automotive program, she’s also never afraid to get her hands dirty, confidently taking apart and working on small engine components. Aaliyah’s skill and determination have made her an asset and natural leader on the basketball court and in her school’s flag football team. As team captain, Aaliyah leads by example, motivating her teammates and directing them through high-pressure situations with a level head and unparalleled determination. Despite facing setbacks, Aaliyah has remained resilient and pushed herself to succeed, turning her challenges into opportunities to persevere and prove her capabilities. Aaliyah is an authentic, self-assured, compassionate student who models how to stand proudly in who you are and create a space where others feel valued and accepted.
BRYCE GROSSMAN | Nominee
they/them/theirs
Student, Santa Cruz High School | Founder, We Will Not Be Erased March
Bryce is a student at Santa Cruz High School as well as a passionate advocate and formidable community leader who not only has the vision to dream of a better world, but the tenacity to build it. In eighth grade, Bryce approached Mission Hill Middle School’s principal with a bold proposal: organizing local action for the National Transgender Walkout. While the principal couldn’t endorse a school walkout, Bryce, undeterred, spent the following months partnering with local organizations, securing sponsorships, and coordinating a massive coalition that culminated in the We Will Not Be Erased March. The 2025 event saw a massive turnout with Bryce and other inspiring young activists taking the stage to speak on behalf of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and in defense of trans rights. Bryce is also an active leader in their former middle school’s GSA club, Santa Cruz High School’s Rainbow Alliance Club, and the Superintendent’s Advisory on Race and Equity, playing a foundational role in launching a district-wide initiative to eliminate hate speech in schools. Bryce’s powerful call for visibility, empowerment, and community strength has demonstrated that leadership is not limited to singular events, but rather a sustained, daily commitment to institutional change.
DESTYNI HUGGINS | Nominee
she / her / hers & they / them / their
Student, Branciforte Middle School | Vice President, Muskequeers Student Club
Destyni is a uniquely kind and wise student leader at Branciforte Middle School who listens to others’ experiences without judgment and bridges the gap between students and professional support, personally guiding peers to seek help from the counseling office or Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. As the former Secretary and current Vice President of the Muskequeers Club, Destyni has helped promote Queer Skate Night, create and distribute pronoun pins, and construct an educational umbrella for Trans Awareness. She is also a member of the District Race and Equity Committee, advocating to end the use of slurs and proposing ideas to make her school safer at the LGBTQ+ Task Force forum. Destyni is incredibly involved in their school and local community, joining ASB, leading campus tours as a “Beekeeper” or school ambassador, attending creative writing classes, reading poetry at Book Shop Santa Cruz’s Out Loud event, contributing to the MAH’s Threads of Love and Relationship Green Flags exhibits, and creating runway-ready designs for the FashionTeens program. Destyni’s enthusiastic involvement, intellectual depth, strong work ethic, and empathetic outreach have made them a natural leader and role model at their school and in the wider community.
FARLEY BLACKMUN | Nominee
he/him/his
Student, San Lorenzo Valley Middle School (SLVMS) | Member, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club
As a student and leader in San Lorenzo Valley Middle School’s GSA Club, Farley has consistently been a model for the community, turning adversity into opportunities for per – severance and positive change. Despite facing challenges, Farley continues to advocate for himself and his fellow students, pushing for greater activism at his school and in the broader community. While his honest leadership helps drive GSA meetings and ensures his classmates remain productive and focused, Farley’s heartfelt and enthusiastic involvement is simply infectious. Farley has spearheaded GSA outreach and recruitment efforts and organized events like the Know Your Pride Flag Contest, in which participants learn about different pride flags and spin a wheel to randomly select one they need to describe. Farley also founded the Love is Love Rally—a Valentine’s Day event to spread positivity regardless of identity or sexual orientation—securing sponsorships, establishing event dates, and enthusiastically sharing his ideas with community members and classmates until they came to fruition. Farley goes above and beyond every day to create a safe space at SLVMS, fiercely advocating for inclusivity, educating peers and staff, ensuring future generations of LGBTQIA2S+ students are accepted, and inspiring others to do the same.
KATHERINE “KATE” FIGUEROA | Nominee
they/them/theirs
Student, Pajaro Valley High School | Member, Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) Club
Kate is a natural performer and leader at Pajaro Valley High School who never fails to bring a fun, dynamic, and charismatic energy to every SAGA meeting. Kate began their activism as young as fifth grade when they joined the GSA Junior Club, quickly growing into a core member of their middle school’s GSA. During this time, Kate participated in classroom presentations to educate students and staff on how to support the LGBTQIA2S+ community. They led discussions around queer identities, peer education, bullying prevention, respecting one’s pronouns, and the importance of promoting queer visibility and displaying pride flags in classrooms. Kate has also been involved in the Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA) for several years, and previously worked with their middle school to host a special reception for nominees and awardees. Their enthusiastic engagement and out – going nature ensured all attendees felt valued and celebrated, earning them a place on this year’s QYLA planning team. Although Kate’s identity hasn’t always been accepted or respected, their courageous activism, confident style, and proud visibility as a musician and performer will, undoubtedly, continue to have a positive impact on their community and everyone they meet.
MARK, ADEL MENDOZA LUENGAS | Nominee
any pronouns
Student, Pajaro Valley High School | Member, Raíces y Cariño PRISM Club
A student at Pajaro Valley High School, Mark, Adel has been involved in social justice activism since middle school, joining QSA and earning the role of Club President by eighth grade. In that time, they led school-wide events like National Coming Out Day and Day of Silence, and bravely presented ways in which their peers and teachers could be good allies. For three consecutive years, they’ve spoken at the Harvey Milk Day event and, in 2024, spoke at the PVUSD LGBTQ+ Committee meeting about the need for all-gender restrooms, explaining the daily stresses trans and gender diverse students face regarding bathroom safety and use. Mark, Adel has also been an active member and role model in Raíces y Cariño’s PRISM Club since its inception, and this year, their leadership, drive, and academic achievement culminated in an invitation to join the prestigious Watsonville Ivy League Project (WILP). Mark, Adel was instrumental in this year’s WILP fundraiser, organizing the benefit, recruiting performers, mentoring students about ticket sales and donations, and performing in the show himself as a band musician and folklórico dancer. Mark, Adel is an inspirational leader and dedicated social justice activist whose advocacy has led to better inclusion, understanding, and visibility for the queer community.
MIREYA “MJ” REYNOSO | Nominee
they / them / their
Student, Anzar High School | Member, Raíces y Cariño PRISM Club
MJ has grown as a community leader, not only dedicating their creativity, kindness, and support to Anzar High’s LGBTQIA2S+ community but also to youth programs across the Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Monterey Bay areas. Mireya has been involved in The Diversity Center’s youth programming for several years, and for the past two years, has served on the Queer Prom Planning Committee, designing posters, creating decorations, and helping set up and break down the Rainbow Realms and Slay the Night Away Queer Proms. They’ve also volunteered their artistic talent as a member of the Raíces y Cariño PRISM club, designing one of the lotería tablas to be used at Drag shows and Pride Lotería events. MJ’s commitment to cultivating environments of inclusion is also evident in their involve- ment in Monterey County Rainbow Connections programming and in their co-facilitation of youth workshops at the annual Rainbow Conference. MJ has demonstrated their kind leadership skills and unique ability to build joyful, welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ youth as an attendee at GenderVentures and CampOUT, approaching discussions with open curiosity and actively reaching out to shy or first-time attendees to ensure they feel supported, included, and cared for.
PETRA KING | Nominee
she / her / hers & they / them / their
Student, San Lorenzo Valley Middle School (SLVMS) | Member, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club
A student at San Lorenzo Valley Middle School, Petra is a model of compassionate leadership and resilient activism for the community, never hesitating to lend a helping hand to classmates, even to those who would judge her. As an indispensable member and leader in GSA, Petra brings endless enthusiasm while recruiting participants, planning events, and ensuring classmates remain focused during meetings. Despite leading an overworked GSA, Petra’s focus, organization, and drive have been crucial to brainstorming, planning, and enacting any GSA task or event. One such event was the Know Your Pride Flag Contest in which students could learn about the different pride flags, spin a wheel, and explain the randomly chosen flag to win a prize. Petra also organized, created signage, and advocated for classmates to attend the Valentine’s Day Love is Love Rally, promoting positivity regardless of identity or sexual orientation. They’re also responsible for improving and promoting LGBTQIA2S+ visibility as the editor of the school yearbook. Petra consistently steps up to help others, advocates for change, and seeks opportunities to expand the inclusive community beyond SLVMS’s campus.
WREN HARMON | Nominee
she / her / hers
Student, Santa Cruz High School (SCHS) | Member, Queer Student Union (QSU)
Wren is a thoughtful and engaging youth leader and student at Santa Cruz High School who brings insight and humor to every role she undertakes in the queer community. As a member of QSU, Wren helped create the School Climate & Inclusion Survey, gathering youth perspectives about safety, belonging, and inclusion at local schools. She is also helping create a QSU Queer Youth Survival Guide with tools, guidance, and community resources to support LGBTQIA2S+ students. Wren has demonstrated great initiative and creative leadership as a proud trans woman, assuming a lead role in her school’s theatre department and showcasing her talent as a powerful public speaker and storyteller at the first annual LGBTQ+ Symposium, where she bravely shared her personal experiences and challenges navigating school environments. She has also advocated for more inclusive and affirming spaces for the trans community, traveling to Sacramento for California’s Advocacy Day and meeting with legislators to discuss and dispute legislation that could negatively impact queer communities and their access to gender-affirming care. Wren’s humor, creativity, and courage in the face of adversity make her an inspiring voice among queer youth leaders.
YUDIT “ALEX” RAMOS | Nominee
she / her / hers
Student, New School | Junior Staff Member, Food What?!
A student at New School, Yudit quickly established herself as a queer youth advocate and leader at FoodWhat?!, earning her one of the highly competitive Junior Staff positions. Yudit joined the Food What?! Spring program just last year, bringing a unique sense of fun, confidence, and connection to the farm. Yudit demonstrated incredible commitment and drive, completing summer school and, despite missing some team-building moments in the early weeks, entering the Summer Job program with a great attitude and natural leadership skills. Yudit easily sparks conversations with others and is unafraid to voice potentially awkward questions. In doing so, she inspires others to speak out, helps normalize curiosity, and invites genuine conversation in place of shame or stigma. By Fall, Yudit secured a culinary manager position where she flexed her artistic creativity and dedication with skillful recipe creation and presentation. When choosing new peer leaders for the Junior Staff positions, every FoodWhat?! staff member unanimously selected Yudit, confident she would be a beacon of safety for those still exploring their queerness or looking for a place to belong. Yudit is fearless, outspoken, and unapologetically herself, inspiring others to follow her lead and be their authentic selves.
ZOE McMAHON | Nominee
any / all pronouns
Student, Branciforte Middle School
A student at Branciforte Middle School, Zoe leads by example, transforming the often-stressful process of finding oneself into a beautiful, celebratory experience. While many feel pressured to have a “final” answer regarding their identity, Zoe champions the journey, normalizing identity exploration and encouraging others to feel safe and confident in their own skin. As a member of the District Race and Equity Committee, Zoe has advocated against hate speech and presented ideas for change at the LGBTQ+ Task Force. Despite facing discrimination themself, Zoe continues to turn adversity into opportunities for education and awareness. Their unwavering kindness and enthusiasm also make them an exemplary student ambassador, providing an open and accepting influence for the next generation. As the previous Secretary and President of the Muskequeers Club, Zoe rallied students and led schoolwide projects like promoting Queer Skate Night, making and distributing pronoun pins, and creating an educational Trans Awareness umbrella. Their creativity and self-expression can also be found in the MAH’s Threads of Love and Relationship Green Flags exhibits, and in the Muskequeers’ shirt design. Zoe’s leadership is rooted in unrelenting authenticity, proud advocacy, and infectious positivity, acting as a role model for building awareness and taking an active stance against injustice.
