Alyssa Gervasoni Editor’s note: Senior standouts are compiled from questionnaires filled out by the students themselves.

Alyssa Gervasoni

Senior class president Alyssa Gervasoni, daughter of Ed and Connie Gervasoni, was involved in leadership throughout her time in high school and because of her dedication was voted “Most Valuable Leader” by the leadership class.

As a sophomore, Alyssa was secretary, community and staff committee chair, and Royal’s Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) representative. In 11th grade she was ASB secretary and this year she was the homecoming float committee chair.

In addition, she was a peer leader for the youth ministry at St. Peter Claver Parish.

Alyssa also kept busy as a member of the school’s varsity diving team, serving as team captain for the past two years and earning the Scholar Athlete award all four years.

Cody Buckel The 18-year-old will be attending Loyola Marymount in the fall and will major in history, her favorite subject. The former peer tutor said her work as a swim instructor and lifeguard with Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District— which she’ll be doing again this summer—motivated her to work with children and become a teacher who “inspires her students.”

In 10 years, Alyssa hopes to have completed graduate school, be married and thinking about starting a family. But she also hopes to travel, to be working toward her life goal of visiting all 50 states.

“I still have a long life ahead of me. I just see myself happy and enjoying life and my career,” she said.

Cody Buckel

Cody Buckel, son of Bryan and Jane Buckel, was a baseball star at Royal, earning more than a dozen awards for his athletic achievements.

Lyndsy Szymanski He was named Gatorade’s Freshman of the Year in 2007. In 2009, Cody was selected as All Ventura County Pitcher of the Year, All Marmonte Co-Pitcher of the Year and ESPN All State Underclassman.

This year, Cody, 17, was a member of Royal’s Marmonte League-winning baseball team and was named the league’s Player of the Year.

In addition, Cody played on the USA National Team twice, earning the gold medal both times: at the Pan American Games in Mexico in 2008 and in Venezuela in 2009.

Cody was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the Major League Baseball First- Year Player Draft two weeks ago.

Honored with the Scholar Athlete award all four years of high school, the accomplished pitcher also took time out to volunteer with the Miracle League and Christ First baseball clinics and to contribute to Strikeouts for Troops.

Travis Edwards When asked who has had the biggest influence on his life so far, Cody listed his parents, grandparents and Highlanders head baseball coach, Dan Maye.

Looking toward the future, Cody hopes to pursue a career in professional baseball or sports broadcasting.

Lyndsy Szymanski

Lyndsy Szymanski, daughter of Paul and Jana Szymanski, danced her way through the past four years.

The 18-year-old is a dance teacher at Simi Dance Center and is a senior dancer on the center’s Elite Competition Team. In 2008, she was recognized for fifth-best lyrical dance at the Kids Artistic Revue National Dance Competition and last year she won first overall lyrical solo at the Headliners Regional Dance Competition.

In addition to her creative endeavors, Lyndsy was also involved in leadership, serving as freshman vice president in 2007, student director of activities for 2008 and 2009, and ASB vice president this year.

Alyssa Moore Voted “Most Exceptional English Student” in 2008 and 2010, Lyndsy said her favorite subjects in school were English and history because “English explores the truths of human nature while history portrays the effects of these truths on society.”

This fall, Lyndsy will attend the honors program at the University of Washington and pursue a double major in English and political science. Later, she plans to attend law school and have a career in the legal field.

The accomplished teen said her parents have had the biggest influence on her life, instilling in her the value of hard work and the importance of community and family.

“While they have provided this foundation for my life, they have allowed me to make my own decisions, providing me with a sense of guided independence,” she said.

Travis Edwards

Travis Edwards, son of John Edwards and Stacy Edwards- Adrian, and stepson of Nelson Adrian, excelled in both sports and academics at Royal.

Travis maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher in high school while running cross-country and track and field all four years. He was selected as Marmonte League’s Cross County Athlete of the Year for 2009-2010 and received the U.S. Army Reserve Award for excellence in academics and athletics this year.

The 17-year-old said his favorite subject in high school was AP calculus, taught by his favorite teacher, Tammy Newbern. He said Newbern taught him well but also challenged, inspired and supported him. Plus, she’s a fellow Green Bay Packers fan.

He also spent time volunteering. Travis said one of his favorite memories is packing lunches with his best friends and passing them out to the homeless at Venice Beach.

This fall, Travis is headed to his dream college, Stanford University, where he will be competing in Pac-10 NCAA Division I cross country and track.

Looking ahead, he has big goals for the future.

“I can see myself in 10 years being an engineer and working to refine technology to help increase its efficiency and eco-friendliness and to make it more economically viable,” he said.

Travis credited his parents for his success, saying they gave him his roots and helped him become the person he is today.

Alyssa Moore

Alyssa Moore, daughter of Kevin and Debra Moore, juggled numerous extracurricular activities at Royal and even founded a new organization: the Recycling Club.

While serving as president of the Recycling Club, Alyssa, 17, also studied for AP classes, served as a peer tutor and was a member of the Interact Club, Key Club, Christian Club and Rotary Club.

In addition, she acted as secretary of the National Honor Society and president of the California Scholarship Federation.

With all these commitments, Alyssa somehow found the time to compete in varsity track and cross country. She also received the Scholar Athlete award and Coach’s award.

A self-described “science nerd,” Alyssa said her favorite class in high school was AP chemistry because it is “full of tangible facts.”

As a result of all her hard work, she’ll head to the Ivy League’s Yale University in the fall.

Looking 10 years down the road, Alyssa has no plans of slowing down.

“I will be pursuing a career that I enjoy in the field of science, perhaps working at a cancer research center. I will also be a stock-market tyrant. Finally, I see myself surrounded by my lovely friends and family and just being a magnificent person,” she said, adding, “and married to a hunky beast.”

She also hopes to have completed graduate school, finished a year serving in the Peace Corps and still be training for marathons.

—Carissa Marsh