Still, even a bright pink leg cast couldn't stop the energetic Los Gatos High School senior from hobbling to the podium to accept the Los Gatos Lions Club's Ted Simonson Scholarship on June 9.

The award is fitting for Sally, since she seems to embody many of the same characteristics as the award's namesake, longtime Los Gatos High School teacher and administrator Ted Simonson.

Simonson worked at Los Gatos High for 47 years—20 as the principal—without a sick day. He described Sally as having a "Reagan-esque" appeal, meaning she's well-liked and relates well to all segments of the Los Gatos High student population. Sally and Simonson share the same work ethic, integrity, infectious enthusiasm for life, sense of humor and natural ability to serve as leaders. Sally has served as a student body spirit representative and as the president of many clubs on campus.

Sally graduated from Los Gatos High on June 11 with plans to attend Harvard University in the fall. Even though Sally's high school cumulative grade point average is 4.24, she's not a straight-A student. But her well-rounded personality, myriad activities and community service involvement make her the perfect choice for the Simonson award.

"They are both positive risk takers," said Simonson's longtime friend and business partner Patti Hughes. "They are willing to try. If they commit, their word is their bond. Once they start something, they are there to the bitter end."

Sally said she's especially grateful for the scholarship since Harvard—being an Ivy League institution—doesn't offer them. Sally has, however, received some financial aid­based grants to attend the university.

"I was excited," said Sally, when she learned she'd been awarded the scholarship. "It's one of the most prestigious awards at the school, and everybody knows [Simonson's] reputation. He's a cool guy."

Sally was on the high school's track and field team; she was a pole vaulter and hurdler and ran relays. She also played soccer from sixth grade through her sophomore year of high school. She is planning to pole vault at Harvard and has aspirations of going to the Olympics to compete in the sport.

Hughes described Sally as a person not daunted by failure and an ideal candidate for the Simonson scholarship. Simonson said Sally seems to have a good heart, proper motivations and strength in all areas, from serving on a diversity-awareness club to coaching gymnastics.

"She just seems to be an all-around superior person," Simonson said. "I'm really pleased the Lions Club gives that scholarship in my name."

In her scholarship application, Sally wrote: "I often hear people talk about how all teenagers have to conform in order to 'fit in.' I have made it my goal to prove these people wrong and show that I can have fun without drinking or smoking, have friends without putting others down, follow the rules without being a pushover or a compulsive pleaser, and be myself in a world that is constantly pressured to be like someone else."

Sally also lists her future, first-choice occupation as a senator, with her second choice being a teacher.

"Boy, do we need people like her in Washington, D.C.," Hughes added.

Sally, who lives in the Los Gatos mountains and attended Lexington Elementary School and Raymond J. Fisher Middle School, is the daughter of Tom and Maureen Stanton. Simonson said that in his 47 years as an educator, he's always promoted scholarships for students like Sally.

"It isn't just the money," Simonson said. "The important thing is that someone says to these kids, 'You've done well,' and it needs to come from outside the family."

The Los Gatos Lions Club also awarded an additional 10 scholarships for $1,000 each to Los Gatos High seniors. Recipients include Sarah Yuki, the Wedemeyer Scholarship for female sports; Matt Martini, the Wedemeyer Scholarship for male sports; Megan Christofferson for the female language arts scholarship; Marc Helleboid for the male language arts scholarship; Laney Chinn for the female performing arts scholarship; Brandon Silberstein for the male performing arts scholarship; Jen Lee for the female science and technology scholarship; Bo Zheng for the male science and technology scholarship; Emily Walton for the female community service scholarship; and Cody Salfen for the male community service scholarship.

Los Gatos High Principal Trudy McCulloch spoke to Los Gatos Lions Club members at the June 9 scholarship awards ceremony.

"The students you've met today have not only done well academically, but you've seen them at practically every event on campus. The class of 2004 is one of the finest classes I've worked with in my career," she said. "We've had probably one of the best years you could ask to have. I can easily say that's because of the students and the incredibly talented staff."

Sarah will be attending Princeton University and has plans to play field hockey and major in pre-medical studies. Matt will head to Pomona College, where he plans to play football. Megan will be going to Stanford University, while Marc plans to attend UC-Berkeley, majoring in chemical engineering and computer science. Laney will attend UCLA, and Brandon will go to Stanford. Jen is off to Stanford to major in biology and minor in music, while Bo will be attending Stanford to major in engineering. Emily will attend San Diego State University in the fall and has plans to major in sociology and minor in photography. Cody is planning to attend San José State University, majoring in criminal justice and minoring in Spanish.