It is with sincere humility and profound gratitude that I accept inclusion into the Summerville Union High School Hall of Fame. This honor places me among an esteemed group of individuals whose accomplishments and dedication have significantly shaped the legacy of our school and community. The four developmental years I spent at Summerville played a pivotal role in shaping the person I am today. I remain deeply grateful to the dedicated teachers, administrators, coaches, and lifelong friends whose support and guidance nurtured not only my academic and personal growth, but also my development as a leader, particularly through the invaluable lessons learned on the sports fields and courts.
My involvement in the Associated Student Body (ASB) throughout all four years of high school was instrumental in developing my leadership skills, teaching me the importance of responsibility, communication, and service, while allowing me to represent and support my peers. During those years, I held the positions of rally DJ, Sophomore Class Treasurer, and ASB Vice President in my senior year. A big shout out to Alex and Megan for always putting up with me.
Throughout my years, I was fortunate to have been taught by teachers who genuinely cared about their students, the fun activities they organized, and the occasional class that allowed us to spend time with friends (I mean, classes to prepare for college). I would like to thank Mrs. Shaw for calling me out freshman year when my grades began to slip, Mr. Hohn for his chemistry class, which changed water to wine (a lesson I use in my classroom today), and Mr. Pyle for teaching me Geometry, on my second attempt. Mr. Dibble, I still know how to change a tire and change oil in a car – life lessons that everyone should know. Spending four years in JROTC, I am happy to say that we took home the Northern California JROTC softball Championship in my sophomore and senior years. You are welcome, Casey Kerns. Thanks to my involvement with JROTC, I was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars Citation and Merit Award and The American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award. JROTC would be a leading force in my career in the military. Between the early mornings for ASB, the late nights for sports, I was still able to maintain a 3.54 GPA.
Between my junior and senior years, I was selected to attend Future Leaders of America in Washington D.C. I was selected by the Kiwanis Club and spent a week with up and coming students like myself. The program focused on present day political problems, leadership, and the future of the United States.
Skill by my coaches prepared me for Friday Nights on the gridiron, the basketball courts, and track and field. Playing football for all 4 years, I was chosen as Most Valuable Player my Sophomore year, Offensive Leader my junior year, and Best All Around Player my senior Year. In my senior year, I was selected 1st Team Mother Lode League and Team Captain. Thank you, Coach Woods, you prepared me to handle Drill Sergeants; they had nothing on you. In my freshman year of basketball I picked up Best All Around Player and set the freshman record for most blocks in a season. In my sophomore year I picked up the Best Defensive Player award. I was fortunate to play on a fantastic team in my junior year that made a push for Arco. In my senior season I received the Coaches Award. Coach Heldstab gave me a valuable lesson during a game in Angels Camp that I share with my players today: “Don’t foul a guy shooting a half-court shot at half time.” Thank you, Coach Heldstab, for being a positive force in sports, but especially as my grandfather. After being talked into participating in track during my freshman year, I was able to take first place in the Mother Lode League events: 1600 meters, 800 meters, and 400 meters. My sophomore year I repeated this feat. Again, in my Junior year, I needed persuasion to join the track team. I decided to limit the distances, taking first in the 400. In my Senior year, I took first in the 400 and 4×400 in the MLL. I set the school record in the 400, a record that lasted 12 years. Fortune shined on me as well, as I was joined by Ryan Johnson, Steven Feola, and Patrick Atkins in setting the school record in the 4×400, a feat that also lasted 12 years. In both my Junior and Senior year I was awarded Most Outstanding Athlete in track. Thank you, Coach Antinetti and Coach Esque, for convincing me to join the track team on multiple occasions. In my freshman year, the baseball team needed players to fill a team for a couple of games; I was happy to fill in.
As my four years at Summerville came to a close, I decided to join the US Army as a 19K (Tanker). During my 3-year contract, I was deployed to Baghdad. In 2008, I moved to Merced to begin college, where I would eventually meet my wife, Lisa Fierro. In 2009, I re-enlisted in the Army Reserves. In 2010, my oldest daughter, Abagail, was born. My new family would move back to Tuolumne County, where I would start working for the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians at Black Oak Casino. I would eventually move over to TGA as a Surveillance Agent. In 2014, we welcomed our youngest daughter, Hailey to our family. At this time, we would buy our home in Tuolumne. In 2018, I completed my Associate’s Degree, and in 2019, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree, both from American Military University. In 2020, I took my degrees and put them to use as I began my teaching career at Columbia Elementary. In 2024, I completed my Master’s Degree in Education. I have been fortunate to be teaching and hopefully can make school as enjoyable for my students as some of my teachers did for me. Throughout my time in Tuolumne County, I have been coaching basketball at Summerville Elementary and Columbia. I have been coaching my children’s soccer, basketball, softball, and flag football teams in county competitions. Again, I aim to make a positive impact on athletes, just as my coaches did. Since 2010, I have been with the US Army Reserves and look to retire in the near future. I have made multiple mobilizations, collected awards, and made lifelong friends.
This award would not be possible without the support of my family during my years at Summerville. Mom, thanks for sewing my football jersey sleeves (I am still embarrassed) and always cooking amazing dinners. AnnaMarie, thank you for the nomination, and I still owe you payback for embarrassing me during basketball practices. Dad, thank you for pushing me to be better, even when I wasn’t listening. I’m honored to join both you and Grandpa in the Summerville High Hall of Fame. Today, I would like to thank my wife, Lisa, for supporting my crazy job changes and the long hours of coaching. To my children, Abby and Hailey: if I can be even half the father to you that Papa has been to me, I’ll consider that a success. To all my friends, past and present: thank you for shaping me with your support, competition, and camaraderie. To the committee—thank you for selecting me for the 2025 Summerville Union High School Hall of Fame.
Thank you,
Jake Heldstab
Class of 2004