Valley People: Kudos and news about local folks

Scotts Valley High mock trial grabs second
The Scotts Valley High School mock trial team finished second in a hotly contested countywide competition Feb. 15.
After missing out on the finals the past three years, the team came close to unseating defending champion Santa Cruz High School.
In addition to the team’s second-place finish, many Falcons received individual awards, including Hannah Levy (best portrayal of a character witness), Tyler Edwards (best portrayal of a detective), Capella Yee (best closing argument by an attorney) and Natalie Piazza (best portrayal of a character witness).
Yee and Maiya Moncino led the group as team presidents, and Ellen Campos supported and guided the team as attorney coach.
Local poet appointed to arts commission
Longtime Scotts Valley resident and poet Trish Melehan has been appointed to the Scotts Valley Arts Commission by City Councilman Dene Bustichi.
Melehan was a teacher for more than 20 years and has sat on the board of directors for Scotts Valley Performing Arts the past several years.
The commission continues to look for new members. Those who are interested can call the city offices at 440-5600.
Airman finishes training
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michelle Cepeda has completed basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Cepeda completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.
Cepeda is the daughter of Scotts Valley’s Eddie Cepeda and Marlene Cepeda of Santa Cruz and a 2006 graduate of Bishop Quinn High School in Palo Cedro.
Bonny Doon professor receives accolades
Avril Thorne of Bonny Doon, chairwoman of the psychology department at University of California, Santa Cruz, received the 2010 Henry A. Murray Award for the study of lives from the American Psychological Association’s Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
Thorne’s research looks at the development of a sense of self and identity in the context of telling one’s life to others, especially to family members and friends.
Thorne will receive the award and deliver an address at the annual APA meetings in San Diego, Aug. 12 through 15.
• Submit items about accomplishments and celebrations involving local people to pb******@pr*********.com.