2024 Foothill High School Hall of Fame Class

  Christopher Silvas, a proud graduate of Foothill High School’s Class of 2003, made his mark as a dedicated four-sport athlete, excelling in Soccer, Football, Track and Field, and Wrestling. He was Foothill’s first pole vaulter in over 30 years, but it was in Wrestling where Christopher truly found his place. Wrestling became his passion, and through it, he developed a strong connection to the school and its community. Christopher also took part in the Army JROTC program, where he was a member of the Raider Platoon, a team that tested leadership, mental resilience, and physical endurance. It was this program that first sparked his dream of joining the Army and pursuing the elite goal of attending Ranger School. 

After graduating, Christopher, like many of his wrestling teammates, chose to serve in the military. He joined the Army as a 19D Cavalry Scout and was repeatedly recognized for his achievements, including earning the prestigious Ranger Tab after successfully graduating from the Army’s Ranger School. His service also included completion of Airborne and Air Assault schools, along with qualifications as a Squad Designated Marksman in a Scout/Sniper Platoon. Christopher completed two combat deployments in Baghdad, Iraq, from 2005-2006 and 2008-2009. During his first deployment, he was wounded by an IED on January 17, 2006, and was later awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in combat. 

After nine years of distinguished service in the Army, Christopher transitioned to a career as a firefighter. He returned to the Sacramento area, where he earned his Associate of Science in Fire Technology with honors from Sierra College. Over the past 12 years, Christopher has risen to the rank of Fire Captain with the Richmond Fire Department, serving as both a Rescue and Engine Captain. He continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration, Summa Cum Laude, and recently completed a Master of Science in Executive Fire Leadership – Emergency Service Management, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. 

Christopher remains deeply connected to his roots at Foothill High School, regularly volunteering his time and medical expertise at the Tim Brown Invitational wrestling tournament, an event held in honor of his former teammate, Tim Brown, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. His commitment to paying it forward to the wrestling team and the program that shaped him reflects his enduring dedication to the Foothill community. 

Today, Christopher resides in Rocklin with his wife and three sons. He continues to give back to the school and the tournament that means so much to him, humbly acknowledging this recognition while reflecting on the special bonds formed with the Class of 2003. Go Mustangs! 

  Kula Koenig has deep roots in advocacy and community service, a passion that began as early as junior high school when she organized her apartment complex to raise money for UNICEF. A proud Foothill Mustang, Class of 2002, Kula’s commitment to social justice is reflected in her current role as Chief Program Officer for Public Health Advocates, where she spearheads policy initiatives aimed at dismantling white supremacy and racial injustice through a public health lens. 

Kula is also the founder of the Social Justice PolitiCorps, an organization that mobilizes Sacramento residents in the fight for social justice. Her extensive career includes serving as Senior Director of Impact at United Way, where she led efforts to end poverty in the region, as well as Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, and District Director for Assemblymember Roger Dickinson. 

Her diverse background in community organizing, policy advocacy, and strategic outreach has led her to manage successful political campaigns, secure millions in funding for water accessibility in California, pass heart-healthy legislation, and advocate for organizations to shift focus from charity to social justice. 

Kula’s dedication to her community extends to her active involvement with the Sacramento chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), where she served as chapter president for four years. She is especially proud of supporting fellow Mustang Crystal Harding-Jenkins in her successful bid for a seat on the parks board. 

Kula holds a B.A. in English from UCLA and an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business. A true force in both her personal and professional spheres, she enjoys deadlifts, big earrings, and her mom’s Liberian cooking, all while raising a family with her husband and three children in the community she calls home. 

Michelle Rivas has deep roots in the Foothill Farms community, where she spent her formative years attending Frontier Elementary and graduating from Foothill High School. Her lifelong connection to the area is evident in her decision, along with her husband Rick, to raise their own family in the same community that shaped her childhood. 

Michelle's involvement in public education began when her eldest son, Anthoni, attended Frontier Elementary and Foothill High School. Her dedication continued as her second son, Matthew, went on to attend Frontier and West Side Prep. Through her active participation in local schools, Michelle has had a lasting impact on the educational experiences of many students in the Foothill Farms area. 

Her commitment to public education expanded beyond her own children’s schooling. Michelle played a pivotal role in addressing policy issues within the Rio Linda and Grant School Districts, ultimately helping to create the Twin Rivers School District. As the longest-serving President of the school board, she demonstrated her unwavering dedication to educational excellence and governance. 

In her professional life, Michelle advocates for healthcare through her work in government relations with the California Pharmacists Association. Her experience in both education and government affairs reflects her deep commitment to building a strong, supportive community. Michelle’s passion for improving educational opportunities and her enduring connection to her hometown continue to drive her impactful work, both locally and professionally. 

   Kevin Kelly has deep roots in the basketball community, starting his journey as one of the top players at South Lake Tahoe High School. His passion for the game led him to Sacramento in 2002, where he immediately found ways to share his love for basketball. That same year, Kevin joined the Foothill High School Boys Basketball coaching staff, where he has remained ever since, becoming one of the longest-tenured coaches in the school's history. 

Kevin’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport were instrumental in guiding the Foothill Boys Basketball team to remarkable success. Under his leadership, the team secured its second state championship in 2003, followed by Section Championships in 2003 and 2012. Beyond his coaching achievements, Kevin’s caring nature and dedication earned him the respect and admiration of every player who passed through the program. 

Kevin's commitment to Foothill High School extended beyond the court, as he successfully procured over $40,000 for the athletic programs, providing essential equipment and resources to support the teams. His unwavering dedication to the school and its students continues to make a lasting impact on the Foothill community. 

 Tiffany Hunt is a lifelong member of the Foothill Farms community, where her childhood home remains central to her family. A proud graduate of Foothill High School’s Class of 2003, Tiffany attended Pioneer Elementary and Foothill Farms Junior High before her time at Foothill, where she was active in student government, danced with the Hilltop Stompers, and played JV/Varsity Softball. She has stayed deeply connected to her classmates, organizing both their 10-year and 20-year reunions. 

For over 13 years, Tiffany has been an educator in the Twin Rivers Unified School District, dedicated to supporting students and families from the same communities she grew up in. As a Program Specialist in the Student Services Department and the state-recognized Foster Youth Liaison for the district, Tiffany has been a tireless advocate for equitable outcomes, particularly for students in the Child Welfare System. She played a key role in developing the Foster Youth Services Program in Twin Rivers and at Foothill High, where she has positively impacted thousands of foster youth by addressing their educational, social, and emotional needs. 

In addition to her professional work, Tiffany serves as the Membership Chair for the Foothill High School Alumni Association, frequently volunteering on campus to ensure the legacy of FHS is passed on to current and future Mustangs. 

Tiffany is a proud mother to a 10-year-old daughter and has been married for 14 years to a fellow FHS alumnus. 

  Bill Lum has deep ties to both New Jersey and California, where his lifelong dedication to wrestling and education has left a lasting impact on many. Born and raised in Passaic, NJ, Bill grew up in Cedar Grove, attending Memorial High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. His high school years saw him crowned District Champion in 1977 and 1978, with further accolades as a Regional Runner-up and State Qualifier in 1978. 

Bill’s passion for wrestling continued to flourish at Columbia University in New York City, where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in Economics. As a member of the Columbia wrestling team, he achieved notable success, becoming a three-time Ivy League Champion from 1980-1982 and earning medals at several prestigious competitions, including the East Stroudsburg Open and CW Post Open. His exceptional achievements with the 1980-1981 team earned him a place in the Columbia Hall of Fame. 

Beyond college, Bill’s wrestling career expanded to include Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, where he secured titles at the Middle Atlantic Region Open and the NYAC Christmas Tournament. He was also a finalist in the 1980 Olympic Trials and took multiple top-three placements in various regional and national tournaments. 

After retiring from competitive wrestling, Bill continued to contribute to the sport as a wrestling official with the Northern California Officials Association (NCOA) from 1982 to 1993, serving as both an officer and president. His coaching career began soon after, with assistant coaching stints at Elk Grove, where he helped guide the team to Delta League Team Championships, and eventually at Foothill High School, where he became the head wrestling coach in 1996. During his time at Foothill, Bill mentored numerous State Qualifiers, Masters Placers, League Champions, and one State Finalist, Coach Michael Lowman.  

In addition to coaching, Bill also earned multiple League Coach of the Year honors and served as a league representative to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Wrestling Committee. He has made significant contributions to the wrestling community by organizing and hosting numerous tournaments, including the prestigious Tim Brown Memorial Tournament and the Foothill Frosh-Soph Tournament. His dedication to the sport culminated in his role as President of the Blood Run’th Orange Wrestling Club in 2024. 

Alongside his coaching career, Bill has had a distinguished teaching career, spending over two decades at Foothill High School, where he taught World History, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Government. His leadership extended into athletics as well, serving as the athletic director for 24 years. 

Bill’s commitment to both education and wrestling continues to inspire generations of athletes and students alike, leaving a legacy of excellence and dedication in every community he has touched.