Courtesy of Tanya De La Cruz and Michael Boitz
Senior Nicole Hao and staff member Takako Hasegawa pose with the Board of Trustees for the Roaring & Soaring Board Recognition on Sept. 18.One is a student who started out too shy to speak in class. The other is a staff member who prefers to let her work speak for her.
At the Sept. 18 district board meeting, both senior Nicole Hao and music office technician Takako Hasegawa were recognized for the same reason: They make their school better because they care so much for it.
The pair were recognized as part of the Roaring & Soaring Board Recognition Award Program. At every regular board meeting, one staff member and one student who both go above and beyond to make their SHS and Los Gatos High a better place.
Hao was recognized for her art projects and dedication to share her art with the community. As president of the Art Club, Hao led the painting of the school’s newest mural outside of the journalism room last year, among other projects in different clubs she is active in. Hao is also an editor-in-chief for Soundings, the school’s literary and art magazine; president of the 3D Print and Design Club and Ethics in Technology Club; and vice president of the Game Production Studio Club.
Initially, Hao said she was surprised when she heard she was nominated for the award as she was also selected for the district’s Student Spotlight Award in her junior year. Hao believes that her work in the school community and her leadership in school clubs were key factors contributing to her nomination.
“The community at Saratoga High is really nice,” she said. “We have dedicated teachers. Every student here is so interesting and passionate for what they do, and so [art] is just my way of contributing my skill into the culture.”
Across campus, on the second floor of the music building, Hasegawa, who has worked in the district since 2009, doesn’t stand on stage or teach in a classroom. Instead, she handles scheduling, logistics, paperwork and communications for all facets of the music department, tasks that don’t draw attention but are essential to keeping things running.
When Hasegawa moved to Saratoga almost 20 years ago, she became a devoted parent volunteer for the music program while both her sons were involved in music. Although it’s most common for parent volunteers to bid farewell to the school once their student graduates, Hasegawa chose to stay involved with the community and become a hardworking administrative assistant.
One of Hasegawa’s closest colleagues, music department band director Jason Shuian, recalls seeing her working extra hours, although not expected of her, this is her way of giving back to the community. A true act of kindness and commitment to support the many students in the program shows exactly how she goes above and beyond for the school.
Hasegawa’s long-term commitment to the music program and her unwavering support make her a deserving pillar of the community.
“She’s given so much of her life dedicated to helping the music program, and still continues to do so even when she doesn’t necessarily need to, but she’s chosen to be a part of this [community], and continues to give back,” Shiuan said.
