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Sophia K VanKlootwyk-Forde

Biography

Profile: Sophia VanKlootwyk-Forde was home-schooled and had just started eighth grade when she first enrolled at Cabrillo College at the ripe old age of 14.  If you were to describe Sophia in one word, that word would be “activist.”  She doesn’t stand in the crowd and chant...she leads the cheers and the charge. A born community organizer, Sophia graduated from Cabrillo with honors and made her presence known on the campus in Aptos, CA.  Take for instance her work on the "Textbook Committee", a campaign that provided free or low-cost books to students in need.  As a co-founder, Sophia helped start a rental system, make an info-documentary and lead a workshop at a state-wide student conference.  She continued working to address the needs of low-income students as community college outreach director for an Assembly campaign in Palo Alto, CA.

Inspiration:  There are two history teachers at Cabrillo College who have a special place in Sophia’s heart, Michael Pebworth and Michael Mangin.  Professor Pebworth “gave me the tools and skills I needed to succeed in college.”  Professor Mangin “was an incredible teacher, counselor and friend...and encouraged me to succeed through thick and through thin.”

Aspiration:  Sophia traveled from her home to the Cabrillo College campus by either bicycle or public transportation and this, coupled with skills she learned on political campaigns and community planning, laid the groundwork for her desire to study Urban Planning in college.

Making a Difference: When Sophia was just 15, she was elected President of the Cabrillo College Democratic Club.  By the time her term was completed, the club grew in size three-fold. “Many of the new members came from backgrounds like mine.  We grew up disenchanted by politics, protesting the Iraq War and sending letters of dissent to Washington.  We also shared the bond of community college students in that we were putting ourselves through school and balancing jobs and family.”

Accolades:  She was awarded the Cabrillo College General Scholarship and also earned the Associated Students of California Community Colleges Leadership Award.

Interesting Fact:  Sophia lived part-time on a sailboat for over seven years with her dad and brothers.

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