Celebrating Our Award-Winning Year
Posted by Catherine Wood on Aug. 21, 2026 / Features, Our Chapter / Subscribe 0
The previous year was a difficult one for our chapter, but many of you stepped forward and helped turn things around. That renewed energy could be felt in our growing meeting attendance and events throughout the year. Now, following the Hawaii Chapter-hosted Chapters Regional Conference, our members are returning to the Bay with our progress formally recognized with the Region X Chapter of the Year title along with several well-earned awards!
Jake Saxinger served as our champion and poured his heart into everything he did. His leadership helped bring our chapter to where it is today, and we hope he is incredibly proud of leading us to Chapter of the Year. He was also honored with the PAOE Award and Special Citation.
Sarah Rock stepped in as CTTC Chair and planned a full year of engaging technical meetings, helping increase our attendance many times over. Her efforts earned her recognition as the Region X CTTC Rising Star.
Cat Wood worked tirelessly to keep our website and newsletters current so members always knew what was happening. Her work was recognized with the Francis G. Brown Award of Publishing Excellence for Best Chapter Newsletter.
Sargon Ishaya, along with every board member who participated in a STEM event this year, helped our chapter become one of fewer than a dozen in the entire Society to receive the K-12 STEM Leadership Award.
Janan Mirza organized the YEA Big Football Game with the Golden Gate Chapter, earning the FOMO Award for the YEA event most likely to create fear of missing out.
Daisy Ruiz met our RP goal in her very first year as Chair and brought home an impressive collection of honors: the Silver Treasury Ribbon, Endowed Funds, New Scholarship, Full Circle, and Goal RP Awards.
Jacob Penzo helped grow our chapter membership by nearly 10%, expanding our community and strengthening the chapter for the future.
Sigrid Derickson arranged a CRC Historical Display even though she was unable to attend in person. She also continues the important work of compiling the history of our chapter’s past presidents.
What a difference a year can make. Congratulations to our award recipients and thank you to every volunteer and member who helped bring our chapter back. These awards reflect what we accomplished together.
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