January 14, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

Gabriela Silva (Gaby) personifies all of the qualities one would hope for a high
school student. She is a natural leader, kind, charismatic, self-driven, responsible, Riley Johnson
reliable and a motivated student. She is personable, involved, intelligent, Principal
E: rjohnson@newtechhigh.org
conscientious, and has a totally wholesome personality. I can’t think of a more
qualified person who has served at the Boys and Girls club, I have encountered in Susan Miller
my career at New Technology High School, to represent Napa as the National Youth Assistant Principal
E: smiller@newtechhigh.org
of the Year. I believe she is a deserving candidate to serve as an ambassador for
the Boys & Girls Club. It is with great honor that I write this letter on her behalf. Maria Guadalupe
Martinez-Ramirez
I have personally witnessed Gaby’s leadership and supportive personality during the School Counselor
past four years. She leads by example while possessing the ability to be a team lramirez@nvusd.org
member. Other students gravitate towards Gaby when they need extra support or
encouragement. She empowers other students to stay motivated and be the best 920 Yount Street
Napa, CA 94559
versions of themselves. A quality that she has embraced and was modeled to her by
the Boys & Girls staff, while growing up and benefitting by this amazing organization. P: 707.259.8557
Fast forward to the past few years, Gaby has completed a full circle of receiving and F: 707.259.8558
giving love and support to other students through the Boys & Girls Club, at New
Technology High School, and in our community in Napa.
www.newtechhigh.org
Gaby is very modest and humble. She will be the first one in her family to graduate
from high school and attend a four year university. I have been so impressed with
her maturity level and emotional strength in addition to her strong work ethic. Her
kind personality, determination, and responsible character traits have earn her the
respect of her peers and teachers.

Gaby is an inspiration to other teens and people around her. Her story of
perseverance, endurance, leadership, academic excellence, and service is
admirable. Her academic journey at New Technology High School is inspirational to
her peers and to other first generation college students.

Gaby has excelled academically. She has maintained a 3.56 GPA at New
Technology High School. She ranks 16 in a class of 82 students. Gaby has
completed 250 credits while most Napa Valley Unified School District 12th grade
students have completed about 180 credits.

New Technology High School (NTHS) is the most rigorous high school in the Napa
Valley Unified School District (NVUSD). NTHS has additional graduation
requirements for students to earn a high school diploma, in comparison to the other
local high schools. In addition to the 220 credits, all students need to complete at the
other high schools, to earn a NVUSD diploma, NTHS requires students to complete
12 CSU/UC transferable college units, an internship, a digital portfolio, 10 hours of
school service hours, and 20 community service hours.
New Technology High School is a school of choice; the students who choose to apply and attend our
school know that the academic rigor that will be expected from them exceeds what they would be expected
to fulfill at one of our other “mainstream” high schools in the district. Gaby chose to apply to New
Technology High School with the understanding that she would be challenged academically, to her highest
potential. She absolutely has risen to this challenge. Choosing to apply and attend New Technology High
School is the perfect example of how Gaby is willing to take on challenges and give her best effort. This is
her natural tendency as a person. She sets and achieves high expectations.

When it comes to decision-making, Gaby does the right things. Whether they are educational, social or
ethical, her personal set of values enables her to make proper choices. She is totally solid and I am certain
she will be successful in graduating high school and attending a four year university. I know Gaby will come
back and give back to her community, in any way possible. Her biggest struggle will be her economic need.
However, she will always find a way to overcome any obstacle that comes her way. I know nothing will stop
her from obtaining her goals! Her resiliency and personal set of values will make this possible. I believe
these traits make her the ideal candidate for the Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year Award.

It is without reservation that I give Gabriela Silva my highest recommendation for the Boys and Girl’s
National Youth of the Year Award. She has impressed me both personally and professionally, in the time I
have been working with her as her high school counselor. She is a solid, resilient, giving, sweet, intelligent,
hardworking, dedicated, self-directed student, and an amazing person. She leads and inspires by example.
She gives hope to others who may question if they can achieve a goal they have set for themselves. I am
exceptionally pleased and honored to be able to write this letter on her behalf.

Should you need further information on Gabriela Silva please do not hesitate to contact me at (707) 259-
8557 x 2302.

Sincerely,
Maria Guadalupe Martinez-Ramirez MA, P.P.S.C
New Technology High School Counselor