Redwood High Alumna Honored At State Capitol

MILL VALLEY, CA — A Redwood High School alumna was honored at the state capitol earlier this week.

Isabella Heinemann was among 19 Cal Poly students recognized by the California Assembly and Senate in Sacramento for distinguishing themselves in a national industry or high-profile event.

The students were honored separate ceremonies.

They were introduced Monday afternoon to the Senate by Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), and to the Assembly by Assemblymember Dawn Addis of Morro Bay, the first female Democrat ever to hold this seat.

The students also met with Karl Larson, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’s higher education advisor.

Heinemann, a second-year mechanical engineering major, is a competitive mountain bike racer who placed third in the 2022 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships.

One of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate mountain biking events was was held in the rugged San Juan Mountains near Durango, Colorado, in October.

“I grew up ski racing,” Heinemann said in a statement.

“The mountains will forever hold an important place in my heart.”

Heinemann competed in all five events (downhill, dual slalom, cross country, short track and team relay).

Competing in the women’s club division, Heinemann placed third in the dual slalom and earned bronze in the downhill race.

The competition was held at the Purgatory Resort Bike Park, over 9,000-foot high, on trails through stands of pine, spruce and fir in the San Juan National Forest.

Heinemann said she planned to lobby lawmakers to back higher education.

“Students who feel connected to and supported by their communities will thrive and help create the innovative positive change our cities, states and country need,” she said.

Heinemann plans to graduate in 2025.

After that, she plans to “improve people’s lives and the health of our country by strengthening communities.”