New authority

Margie Matthews was recently sworn in as a director on the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority board, replacing the late David “Mike” Flaugher to represent District 2 until Dec. 4, 2026, the remainder of Flaugher’s term. District 2 includes Milpitas.

The board unanimously voted to appoint Matthews, who served on the Authority’s interim board of directors at its inception. Over the years, she worked closely with Flaugher on open space issues.

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“I’m happy to serve in this seat to provide continuity in the coming months,” said Matthews. “The preservation of open space is an important element for quality of life in Santa Clara Valley.”

‘Be-YOU-Tiful’ winner

A Milpitas High School senior is among the winners of the 16th annual Be-YOU-Tiful Multimedia Contest held by the Campbell-based Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC).

The contest gave Bay Area middle and high school students the opportunity to creatively address their perspectives, experiences and emotions on this year’s theme of mental health, identity, self-acceptance and self-care. The goal of the nonprofit EDRC’s Multimedia Contest is to encourage students to challenge harmful body image ideals and empower them to advocate for solutions.

In “To My Past Self,” which took third place in the high school poetry category, Alina Tu writes, “If I had one thing to say to my past self, To the girl with confidence as low as the ground, I would say that there is nothing wrong with asking for help, and with every act of self-care sparks a passion, waiting to be found.”

Tu’s poem was among submissions from students attending 16 different Bay Area middle and high schools. Contest winners and their entries will be recognized at the EDRC’s Multimedia Contest reception on May 31 at the Los Gatos Therapy Center, 4850 Union Ave., San Jose.