Laguna Blanca’s Seth Judson will be attending Stanford next year after a phenomenal high-school career. He currently holds a 4.64 GPA with a course-load including AP Calculus BC, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, AP Biology, Greek and Illustration. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the Cum Laude Society and receipient of the Yale University Book Award.

Judson has played varsity soccer and lacrosse all four years of high school and also played two seasons of football and ran cross-country as a freshman.

“He’s been a tremendous leader to his peers. He definitely has respect and leads by example. He’s just a quality individual,” said Laguna Athletic Director Mike Biermann.

Cate School senior Mackenzie Walsh

Walsh, who hails from Montana, ranks as the fourth-fastest girls runner in Cate history and is also one of the most active students on campus. She carries a 3.9 GPA taking classes including AP Spanish, AP Comparative Government, AP Calculus, Genetics, Orchestra and more.

Outside of the classroom, she has recorded a personal-best time of 19 minutes, seven seconds in cross-country and has been the team MVP three times. She is the captain of that squad as well as the captain of the lacrosse team, and will likely participate in both when she attends Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. She plays violin in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and is the editor on the school yearbook.

“Hamilton College is getting a good one with Mackenzie,” said athletic director Wade Ransom in the understatement of the millennium.

UCSB’s recipient of the award is Katie Voigtlander, who is currently the top 3,000-meter steeplechaser in the Big West Conference. The cross-country and track star is a senior, carrying an impressive 3.86 GPA as a Business Economics major with a minor in Sports Management.

On top of the grueling steeplechase, she is ranked ninth in the NCAA West Region in the 5,000-meters and is also an avid downhill ski racer. After graduation, she will be working with Deloitte in San Francisco assisting in auditing practices for clients such as Williams Sonoma and the San Francisco Giants. For the past three years she has been on the “Gaucho Round-up” Committee, planning the team’s annual fundraiser and meet, and she has also organized a youth meet for students at Isla Vista Elementary School.

“I take what I’ve learned on the athletic field, on the track and the cross-country course and I really apply it to my everyday life with my friends, family and school. Thanks you so much for this,” she said.

He has a particular interest in economic development in Latin America, and is a member of the Dean’s List at Westmont.

“I began racing in seventh grade and haven’t stopped since,” he said.

He said that it’s been a blessing to work with coaches like Russell Smelley, who put more emphasis on character and personal achievement than winning.

Sean Adams

But that’s just when she’s playing sports.

She carries a 4.27 GPA and is taking three AP classes. She’s a member of the National Honors Society, and plans on studying Medieval History at Notre Dame.

She is a Bishop Diego Ambassador and has amassed over 600 hours of community service.

Coach Ray Vazquez taught her in history class during her sophomore year and spoke about her academic prowess.

“She asks those intriguing questions that sometimes as a teacher you have to say “Well, let me get back to you,’” he said.

Melissa Georgi

“She’s not very big, but she buzzes around all over the place and makes everyone smile,” said Ward, who is also the school’s athletic director.

Dunlap’s mother was there to watch proudly. Unfortunately, Dunlap’s father, who spent numerous years coaching her in athletics, passed away in 2006.

“Shelby’s made all the right choices since then, and she’s living her father’s legacy,” said Ward.

Added John Moore later: “I would be proud to be your dad, Shelby… He would be very proud of you.”

Scholar Athlete of the Year Amanda Burch, mentioned previously as a key scorer for the Carpinteria girls basketball team, also scores off the charts in the classroom. She carries a 4.67 GPA, and there are no fluff courses on her menu (AP Claculus, AP English, AP Chemistry and AP Government).

She is ranked fourth in her class, and she also finds time to tutor her peers. Athletically, she is accomplished in hoops, track, tennis, cross-country and even roller hockey.

She volunteers with the Special Olympics among many other activities.

“Well, they just don’t come any better,” said coach Dan Mercer.

Amanda Burch

Shelby Dunlap

Bellefeuille has a 3.87 GPA (unweighted) and is a lifetime member of the National Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She was a first-team all-Channel League selection last year and volunteers as a referee for AYSO.

She plans to play soccer in college, with some of her early choices being Cal Poly, Azusa Pacific and Biola. She aspires to work with athletes and sports injuries in the future.

Jenny Ann Martinez

San Marcos’ recipient this year is Jenny Ann Martinez, who received the Phil Womble Ethics Award as a junior last year. Martinez is a two-time all-league selection on the soccer team who carries a 4.5 GPA.

She took AP Chemistry as a sophomore and is currently taking AP Environmental Science and AP Economics. She hopes to major in medicine or kinesiology in college, and is considering such schools as Stanford, Westmont, Pepperdine and UCLA.

She is in the top four percent of her class and is a recipient of the AP Scholar Award. She is involved in the SMHS Link Crew Program, the Fellowship Club, Earth Club and the Santa Barbara chapter of Assisteens.

“She’s a pillar of selflessness,” said soccer coach Christy Lozano.

Rebecca Neilsen-Robbins

The Santa Barbara High senior was honored as her school’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon, and her list of accomplishments make her one of the most worthy recipients you’ll find.

The softball star carries a 4.8 GPA, taking four AP classes as well as college-level Astron
omy at SBCC. She is Editor in Chief of the SBHS student newspaper. She is a National Merit semifinalist and recipient of the Wellesley Book Award. She volunteers at Cottage Hospital and hopes to go to Stanford, where she’ll major in English and then apply to medical school.

She’s a pretty good pitcher too, earning MVP honors for the Dons the past two seasons. She batted .351 last year with an ERA of 2.43 and was an All-Channel League first-teamer. Her highlight was leading the Dons — a program which has struggled mightily for many years — to their first league win 10 years last season, a 6-1 victory over San Marcos.