Lucas is not just a director of the Boost program which prepares and supports students throughout their high school journey at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, he is also one of the kindest people who truly loves working with youth. He has become a mentor to many of his former students as well as mentors in the program. His commitment to helping underprivileged kids in the Berkeley-Oakland communities is beyond his job requirement.
Lucas has created opportunities for hundreds of low-income Bay Area students to go to college. Through the Boost program, not only do the students go to college, but he works them to ensure that they can attend the college of their choice. He fundraises to help them get laptops and he gives them gift cards for food and school supplies regularly to ensure that they don’t go without. Lucas has done this work for over 2 decades and he never asks for accolades or acknowledgement for what he does. He just does it because there’s a gap that needs to be filled and he uses his time and energy to fill it.
In addition to working with the Boost Program for over 20 years he has been a coach for the Berean Volleyball Varsity Girls Team. Lucas is a man who truly cares about making the community better and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure he has done everything in his power to make that happen. On top of all this he still finds time to be on the PTA at his children’s school and often presents on animals and such with his background knowledge as a wildlife science major. Lucas always has a positive attitude and willing to fight for the underdog.
His smile and laugh always light up a room. At six foot 5 plus, he is noticeable when he enters a room. But what you immediately notice even more than his height is his gentle kindness. That smile and laugh make everyone feel welcome and at ease. He is always willing to act as the Master of Ceremony and brings humor and joy to those events. He will even use his auctioneer skills to help charitable causes with fundraising.
Lucas is the perfect person to get this nomination. He has created pathways and changed many lives.
Lucas exemplifies what is needed in a mentor for youth, and as a very giving, yet unassuming member of his community. What an extraordinary young man!
I think Lucas deserves this award because he seems like an incredible person who has dedicated so much of his life to making his community a better place.