Scotts Valley Community Awards Gala

Friday, April 14th — A Few Tickets Left

Join us on Friday, April 14th as we celebrate the leaders in our Community at Roaring Camp Railroads Bret Harte Hall. The space is a 6,000 square foot rustic barn with wrought-iron chandeliers, twinkle lights, and decorations.

Through massive doors, the indoor space opens to a covered outdoor reception area and a beautiful meadow. This year’s Theme is “Back to the Future”.

Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite decade or character in the movies.

The evening of celebration will begin at 5:00 pm with dinner catered by Bruno’s Bar & Grill, desserts by the Hot Pink Box

Kendra Kannegaard Woman of the Year

Kendra Kannegaard is a proud product of the Scotts Valley School District and loved her time there so much that she decided to make a career of it. After graduating from SVHS in 2012, Kendra began working as the after school director for the plays at the high school, which sparked her love of teaching and became her true calling.

She attended Cabrillo College where she earned an AA in Theatre Arts. She then transferred to San Jose State where she received her BA, also in Theatre Arts, followed by a Teaching Credential in English.

This is her fifth year at Scotts Valley High as the drama teacher, her third year as a freshman English teacher and her eleventh year as the director of the drama productions.

She is grateful every day to have the best job in the world and to be surrounded by such amazing, kind, driven and talented students.

In addition to teaching, Kendra is also on the board for the Scotts Valley Community Theatre Guild and has served as a member of the Scotts Valley ADA Committee. Last summer, she married her high school sweetheart,

Luke, who she met at her very first drama audition at SVHS.

Kendra is honored beyond words to have been recognized with such an incredible distinction and would like to thank the community for their unending support.

Dessert Company, and dancing until 10:00 pm. Cheryl Rebottaro will be returning again as this year’s Master of Ceremonies. There will also be live music with the Joint Chiefs Band, many raffle items, and a brief live auction conducted by Chamber Ambassador and Auctioneer Kevin Anderson.

Opportunities to showcase your business by becoming a sponsor are available now!

Contact Executive Director, Danny Reber at dreber@scottsvalleychamber. com or 831-588-9392. Tickets to attend the gala can be purchased via the Chamber’s website scottsvalleychamber.com

Roger Snyder Man of the Year

Roger and his wife Michele were always active in their four daughters’ schools. Roger served as chaperone on five 6th grade Yosemite science camps, and worked to pass three local measures to provide funding to rebuild our Middle School and increase teacher salaries.

Roger has served on the Scotts Valley school board since 2016. As board president for 2 years, he helped lead the schools through the challenges of COVID-19, and began addressing diversity issues. He now serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Steering Committee to continue this important work.

Roger also led the countywide trustees association for two years, fostering communications and collaboration across the county.

To advocate for improved school funding, Roger joined the California School Board Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly in 2020. He has met with our state and federal representatives, and advocated for the need for special education funding reform.

Why is Roger so passionate about public education? “If we can educate our students to be compassionate and curious about the world and people around them, they can reduce divisions, solve problems, and lead us all to a kinder, better world.”

This year Roger was appointed to the board of directors of CSBA, now advocating for the needs of public-school students across Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Roger also serves the community through San Agustin Catholic church, cochairing the annual Fiesta for six years, and serving in the food pantry.

Roger is forever grateful for the support of his wife and daughters. On Saturday mornings, he can be found on Its Beach with them and his goofy dog Gus.