Liberty High School Senior Chris Leyen receives congratulations for the outstanding commitment to excellence he has demonstrated throughout his high school career. The son of Liberty dance teacher Shannon Leyen, Chris has received many academic and athletic awards, from Principal’s Honor Roll every term to Most Improved and Most Inspirational Student. He has earned an overall 4.04 GPA, ranks third in his class of 396 seniors, and was honored as a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. He also played on Liberty’s varsity football, varsity wrestling, varsity swimming, and track teams. This year alone, Chris qualified for the CIF State Wrestling Championships, and received the 2008-09 Contra Costa County National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award, the NCS Athletic Director’s Academics Award and the Lion Award for Academics and Citizenship. Chris also excelled in music at Liberty and performed with the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers and “JAG,” Liberty High School’s Barbershop Quartet. He received superior ratings in the California Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Competition for Bass Solo in 2007 and for Tenor Solo in 2008, and was selected for Central Region and All-State Honor choirs. Chris hopes to attend Stanford University next year, and begin wrestling for the Cardinal.

– Contributed by Sarah Singrin