5 standouts in this year's TOHS senior class
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks.

Carly Bracco Carly Bracco plans to sing her way to the musical theater stages of New York City's Broadway. An alto/soprano, Bracco's had plenty of practice singing in front of audiences. Last fall she sang the national anthem at the opening of the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Last year she performed at a benefit for California State Superintendent Jack O'Connell. Most TOHS events over the past two years, including football and basketball games, have begun with Bracco singing the national anthem. At graduation next week, Bracco will sing "Gold," by Linda Eder. "I's rather sing than eat or sleep," she said. Bracco's talents extend beyond music. For four years she served on the school's site council-one of six student representatives-along with several teachers and administrators. In that role, Bracco helped create student bylaws, including new student election rules. "I like to know what's going on, why certain programs have less money than others," Bracco said. She also works as a waitress at Mimi's Caf in Thousand Oaks and as a voice teacher at a local summer camp. Bracco will attend Cal State Chico, which she says has a renowned musical theater program.

Randolph served as junior class president at school, helping to plan the prom and other activities. She was also Associated Student Body president, planning the homecoming football game half-time show and dance. To aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, Randolph helped organize a blood drive that raised $10,000.

friends," Rosenblum said. Apparently, UCLA agrees, not only accepting Rosenblum but also awarding him an academic scholarship. He's not sure what he'll major in-possibly sociology. The key to his academic success, believes Rosenblum, is the way he approaches studying. Rather than memorizing material, he views tests and studying like a puzzle that must be understood in order to figure out. "I thought of it as a book that I was reading in my free time," Rosenblum said.

Through the church group, Randolph will help build a house in Mexico this summer. During spring break she traveled to New Orleans, spending

Kyle Skahill Kyle Skahill is a team player. As assistant editor-in-chief of the TOHS yearbook, Skahill helped design, write, edit and lay out the school's 260-page, full-color book. Work began on the yearbook last summer, with Skahill and the rest of the staff working long hours to meet nine deadlines. He estimates he spent about 16 hours a week on the yearbook. "It's the closest thing to having a job," Skahill said. "I enjoyed working on a team." In between studying for AP classes and working on the yearbook, Skahill competed on the varsity cross country and track teams, serving as a mentor to younger students. He's also has done acting and print ads for GAP, Eddie Bauer, GQ, Vanity Fair, BMW and Mercedes. The money Skahill earned allowed him to buy a car. After spending the summer traveling through Europe with two friends, Skahill will attend Soka University in Aliso Viejo. He's considering several majors including business and psychology, possibly going on to study law.

five days clearing out ruined furniture, clothing, carpeting, appliances and food from houses so that federal emergency provisions could begin.

Palomino spends Wednesday evenings overseeing the clinic. As student manager, Palomino signs patients in at the front desk, guides new student volunteers, handles emergencies and makes sure the clinic is flowing smoothly. She's also taken patients' vital signs, assisted in the examination room and served as an English/Spanish translator between doctors and patients. She wants to continue helping the low-income, working poor because she says that's the community she sees, not only through her volunteer work but also at home. Her parents are Peruvian immigrants. Her father is a gardener. "They are the hardest working sector in our community. It's so unfair," Palomino said. "They work so hard and are at such a disadvantage. They're just trying to survive." Her interest in helping others extended to her school activities. As a writer and editor for her awardwinning school newspaper, Palomino covered the growing need to help students deal with such issues as self-mutilation, drug use and eating disorders. A member and officer of the Latino Connection club, Palomino reveled in the variety of students involved who were all different yet connected through their common heritage. She hopes her accomplishments show others the many opportunities in life. "I'm one of many," Palomino said. "All you have to do is reach out to people." With a 4.3 GPA, Palomino has been recognized for her volunteer work and academic achievements, earning a variety of awards. Palomino credits others for her success. "I didn't consider myself to have potential. I had amazing adults in my life to encourage me," Palomino said. Palomino is the first in her family to attend college. She'll attend Wellesley College in Massachusetts on a full scholarship and may pursue social work, possibly working for a nonprofit or starting her own organization.

"It's a big task for one person to do. You put everything out on the street and a big dumpster truck picks it up," Randolph said.

Katelynn Randolph When her best friend was killed after a drunk driver hit the van her church youth group was riding in two years ago, Katelynn Randolph decided to make sure her life had meaning. "It was a horrible lesson to learn, but that's probably why I'm so into everything," Randolph said. "I threw myself into life." She became active in school and in her youth group at the Conejo

Randolph will attend Abilene Christian University, a private school in west Texas and sister school of Pepperdine University. Her parents and relatives went to Pepperdine, and her sister is a junior at Abilene. Randolph plans to study public relations or marketing.