SCVUSD honors Taekwondo national champion and art award winner; administrators report enrollment and fall sports start

The Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 35 recognized student Sofia Yocafizio and teacher Michael Mack at its Aug. 26 meeting and provided a brief operational update on the start of the school year and fall athletics.

Sofia Yocafizio, a student at Calabasas (identified in the meeting as one of the district's student office aides), was introduced by district staff and congratulated by board members. Yocafizio told the board she “first started . . . when I was around 7” and that she enjoys sparring; board members praised her discipline and representation of the district at the national tournament in Ontario, California.

The board also recognized Michael Mack, a district art teacher, after his exhibit won best-in-show at the Tubac Center of the Arts. School and board speakers described Mack’s influence on students and colleagues and noted additional upcoming local exhibits.

District staff reported operational updates: the first 10 days of the school year have passed, sites have held open houses, and fall athletics (including volleyball and football) are underway. The transcript records a specific reference to a Nogales High School home football opener “on the fifth” (as stated at the meeting) and a middle-school league the district has developed to expand participation.

Why it matters: recognitions highlight student and staff achievements; the operational update gives parents and the community a quick snapshot of enrollment and athletics at the start of the year.

Board members encouraged community attendance at events and expressed appreciation for staff and volunteers.