The Phoenix Youth and Education Commission announced the winners of the 2007 Outstanding Young Man/Young Woman (YMYW) of the Year program at the annual awards luncheon held at the Arizona Club earlier today. Rudy Calderon, a senior at Metro Tech High School, received the Outstanding Young Man award and Amy Stabler, a senior at Thunderbird High School, received the Outstanding Young Woman award.

In addition to the two overall winners, 14 council district winners also were selected. This year, the YMYW awards program also recognized the teachers who made the greatest impact on these students’ education.

Calderon has volunteered at the Phoenix School for the Deaf, Burton Barr Central Library, and St.Vincent de Paul. He organized a blood drive at school with more than 120 participants and helped raise more than $80,000 at a Rotary 100 auction. In addition to volunteering, Calderon is involved in many clubs at school including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the National Honor Society. Calderon said his teacher from elementary school, Mrs. Steinbeck, is the educator who inspired him to get involved in community and school activities.

Stabler is active in her community and school. She has volunteered at the Life Care Center of North Glendale and tutored her peers and students at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. She is a member of the Brain Bee Team, Science Club and National Honor Society and credits her history teacher, Jonathan Parker, with having the greatest impact on her education. “It was a privilege to be in his class,” she said.

Calderon and Stabler each will receive a $1,500 scholarship. They were selected from the group of council district winners.

The district winners, who will receive $250 scholarships, follow:

Council District 1

Aaron Shauinger, a senior at Barry Goldwater High School, and Tiffany Son, a senior at Thunderbird High School.

Shauinger has tutored students at Paseo Hills Elementary School for the past few years and participated in school sports. Linda Bochansky was Aaron’s SAGE reading teacher in elementary school; he says she influenced him the most.

Son excels in academics, volunteers with the Mayo Clinic and assisted in raising funds for the American Cancer Society. She selected calculus teacher Scott Kaye as the teacher who made the greatest impact on her education.

Council District 2

David Dulberg, a junior at Horizon High School, and Raquel Goya, a junior at Pinnacle High School.

Dulberg is vice-president of his junior class and has volunteered for Teen Lifeline for many years. Fifth-grade teacher, Candace Wise, influenced him the most.

Goya is editor-in-chief of her school newspaper and a Key Club member. She also is a longtime volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has served on the Kids for a Wish executive board. Longtime friend and third-grade teacher, Charlie Littrell, had the most impact on Goya.

Council District 3

Ryne Barry is a senior at Thunderbird High School. Barry volunteers for various community service projects through his church group and school. Barry is an excellent student and plays baseball. History teacher Jonathan Parker was his biggest influence.

Council District 4

Ana Lujan, a senior at Central High School, is a member of the National Honors Society and Unitown. She has volunteered at school, the YMCA and Andre House. Lujan also plays volleyball and softball. Lujan’s civics teacher from middle school, Cathy Johnson, has made the greatest impact on her.

Council District 5

Efren Martinez-Bernal, a senior at Alhambra High School, and Jennifer Duran, a senior at Trevor G. Browne High School. Martinez-Bernal excels in academics, volunteered at Phoenix Baptist Hospital and has been captain for the Academic Decathlon team. Martinez-Bernal said his psychology teacher, Jeff Davis, had the greatest impact on him.

Duran enjoys participating in badminton, basketball and tennis at school. She also was a participant of the Valley Teen Leadership Program. Honors English teacher, Jacque King, inspired her most.

Council District 6

Christian Vasquez, a senior at Camelback High School, and Teri Yu, a senior at Desert Vista High School.

Vasquez is a thespian, a member of the Drama Club, the National Honor Society and the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). He has volunteered at St. Agnes Catholic Church and the St. Vincent de Paul homeless kitchen and thrift store. Marketing teacher Julie Bourdo had the most impact on Vasquez.

Yu is president of the Arizona Asian American Association youth division, teaches dance to 9 to 12 year olds, and is actively involved in many school organizations. She served as an intern with Congressman Ed Pastor and says English teacher Erik Dominguez impacted her education the most.

Council District 7

Pablo Sandoval, a senior at La Joya Community High School, and Angelica Hernandez, a senior at Carl Hayden Community High School. Sandoval gives back to his community by volunteering at Sun Canyon Elementary School, Habitat for Humanity and the KAET telephone drive. Sandoval also is a member of the National Honor Society and winner of the Congressional Art Competition. Sandoval’s first language is Spanish and his sophomore bilingual English teacher, Judy Ferguson, has made the biggest impact on his life.

Angelica Hernandez volunteers at St. Mary’s Food Bank and Andre House. She also mentors the Pueblo Del Sol Middle School “Lego Kids” and is vice president of the Robotics Club. Fredi Lajvardi is the teacher who left a lasting impression on Hernandez.

Council District 8

Jose Torres, a senior at South Mountain High School, and Diana Resendiz, a senior at Camelback High School.

Torres is a participant in the Sculpture Magnet Program. He also has participated in many art shows and sold some of his sculptures. As a member of the National Honor Society, Torres has volunteered at shelters, daycare centers and hospitals. Grade school teacher Maggie Vasquez has made the greatest impact on Torres.

Resendiz is part of the Youth Volunteer Corps Council. Through this agency she has served as a “Reading Buddy.” Resendiz is involved in many school activities including student government, DECA and the National Honor Society. The teacher who made a positive impact on Resendiz is her current government teacher, Jay Edelson.

Editor’s note: Photos of the individual winners are available by contacting Claudina Echeveste at 602-262-7783.