Valley People

Resident wins film award
Scotts Valley High School student Alex Boostani has won a prestigious Award of Merit from The Indie Fest.
The award was given for Boostani’s animation “Blinded by Love,” recognizing its strong cinematography and use of a musical score.
The Indie Fest acknowledges film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, as well as those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change.
Boostani’s work was shown on Community Television in Santa Cruz County. He is the son of Mason and Laura Boostani of Scotts Valley.
For information: http://communitytv.org.
Local students awarded
Freshman Claire Gregory, of Scotts Valley, received Gold Cord Honors by earning a GPA of 3.8 or higher at Santa Catalina School in Monterey for the spring semester.
Senior Rae Gregory, also of Scotts Valley, made the honor roll with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Local woman earns degree
Hannah Pfister of Ben Lomond recently received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simmons College in Boston. Pfister, who graduated with a degree in English, made the dean’s list with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
SLV alumna completes university
Ashley Lynn Verbin of Ben Lomond graduated from University of California, Los Angeles, with a bachelor’s degree in history this past month. She will attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in the fall.
Verbin graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School in 2007.
Recent grad heads to Naval Academy
Boulder Creek’s Timothy Steinberg, a 2011 San Lorenzo Valley High School graduate, accepted one of seven nominations by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, to attend a U.S. service academy. Steinberg was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., where he will attend in the fall.
Local sheriff’s deputy promoted
Jim Hart, a Scotts Valley resident, was promoted to chief deputy from lieutenant within the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Hart, 46, has spent 23 years in law enforcement with the sheriff’s office. He was a Harbor High School graduate before attending University of Nevada, Reno, where he was a standout Division I basketball player.
Hart is a graduate of Sherman Block Leadership Academy and an alumnus of Leadership Santa Cruz County. He is an adjunct faculty member at Cabrillo College and also taught at Bethany University.
Upon his promotion, Hart will be assigned to the Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau in the main jail.
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