Student Bios
Jose Pablo Gonzalez Ordoñez is a 10th grader at Fremont High School
in Oakland, CA. He believes to change the world around us, we must
understand ourselves, our history, and how our ancestors would have
wished us to be and to act. Jose Pablo enjoys drawing and painting
landscapes on canvas. He cooks family recipes he learned from his
grandmother, Matilde Lopez Hernandez.
Karen Rojas is a 12th grader at the NEA Community Learning Center in
Alameda, CA. She believes that through embracing the cultures of others
with love and understanding we unify our personalities and become our
more noble selves. Karen enjoys dancing, practicing crystal healing, and
meditation.
Kayla Millheim is an 11th grader at Oakland Technical High School in
Oakland, CA. She believes coaching relationships are essential to
receiving constructive feedback. Kayla likes babysitting, debate club,
writing, and baking.
Kei Yamamoto believes in taking action on the issues most relevant to our
community and world. Kei likes to read historical nonfiction and fiction,
and plays soccer.
Liam Ryals is a 12th grader at Oakland Technical High School in Oakland,
CA. He affirms that being a part of the Freedom Center is a method of
social and political participation where he is motivated to change himself
and his community. Liam enjoys debating with the Bay Area Urban Debate
League at school.
Mabel Minney is a 10th grader at the Alameda Science and Technology
Institute in Alameda, CA. Mabel appreciates engaged and meaningful
relationships based on deep concepts that help develop social consciousness.
She enjoys hands-on learning with Oaktown 4H.
Nalani Hall is a 12th grader at Kentwood High School in Kent, WA.
Nalani highlights the importance of defending human rights as well as
practicing personal transformation to become one’s nobler self. Nalani
runs track, hikes, draws, sings, writes songs, and bakes in her free time.
Natnael Berhanu is an 11th grader at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley,
WA. Natnael believes in taking collective, community action to fight for
what is right. Natnael likes to play sports, especially football.
Rosa Cardenas is a first-year student at Chabot College and is from San
Lorenzo, CA. She urges us to appreciate various cultures and traditions
through learning more about values and using our voices. Rosa enjoys
cheerleading and is interested in becoming a teacher’s aide for special
education students.
Sarahi Delgado is a 10th grader at San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo,
CA. Sarahi believes we often fail to act on opportunities to use our voice to
make a change in our community. She wants to change that. Sarahi enjoys
trying new recipes and sketching.
Sarina Rye is a 12th grader attending Sacramento Country Day School
in Sacramento, CA. She values the opportunity to have classes outside of
school that push us to be serious coaches for our own self-development
and the development of those around us. Sarina is on the Sacramento
Youth Commission and plays the violin and ukulele.
Semhal Abera is a 10th grader at Oakland Charter High School in Oakland,
CA. Semhal values learning and discussing hard-hitting issues that affect
us all. She accents the significance of keeping in touch with her Ethiopian
culture through learning and practicing traditions.
Trinity Ponce is a 12th grader at Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep in
Sacramento, CA. Trinity trusts developing personal connections, in a way
that encourages everyone to speak up, is the key to making an impact. She
has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old.
Ursa Kaiser is an 11th grader at Oakland Technical High School in
Oakland, CA. Ursa appreciates coaching for leadership, which comes from
love, and the community responsibility that comes with it. Ursa enjoys
serving on student government and sings in choir.
FROM A KITCHEN IN THE WORLD HOUSE 61