Christopher M. Villanueva

Christopher M. Villanueva was born on January 11, 1997 in San Diego, CA. He is the second child born by his parents Robert and Cynthia Villanueva. He was raised in Chula Vista, where he attended Fred H. Rohr and Parkview Elementary Schools. He then moved on to attend Rancho del Rey Middle School and then Otay Ranch and Bonita Vista High school – where he graduated with honors as a CSF Life Member.

Academically, Chris was always a high achiever. Throughout his school years, he was in Gate, Honors and/or Accelerated classes. His favorite subjects were math and science, but his writing style was very eloquent – deep, with a hint of poetic flare and conciseness. In his spare time, he loved to read books: Brent Weeks, E. E. Knight, Christopher Paolini, and Serway & Jewett.

When Chris was young, he loved to catch and play with little creatures, basically anything he could get a hold of – which was a lot because the kid was quick with his hands. The thought of getting stung or poisoned never would come across his mind. If it moved, it was fair game. He kept this fascination for creatures even as he grew older, and he became more bold and adventurous by trapping or simply picking up things with that were wiggly, slimy, and just down right strange looking. One good thing about Chris was that he rarely brought his little friends home; and that’s what they were... friends.

In middle school, Chris took up lacrosse, a strange sport where the players use sticks with a tiny net to catch and throw this hard and heavy ball at each other with the hopes of scoring a point. And they use the sticks to hit each other with – like a weapon of sorts. The good thing about this sport was that the players did not have to be tall or big in stature to be good or be effective. You see, Chris was tiny for his age, a disadvantage in some sports. Imagine him playing defense as the smallest player on the football team? Well, that’s exactly what he did – probably the reason why he played football for only one season. But the most spectacular play Chris ever made while playing football, was when he caught the ball… with his helmet – the ball was lodged in his face mask! It was truly amazing. Going back to lacrosse, the positions that he played was midfield and attack. He enjoyed the sport so much that he continued to play all the way through high school. At the age of 14, Chris was baptized in the San Diego Church of Christ Teen Ministry. His newly found relationship with God shaped his life into becoming involved with people at a much deeper level - this will become evident as you read on.

Christopher liked to be active. In high school, he joined the wrestling team and competed in the 105 and 114 weight divisions. Once again his weight and size did not put him at a disadvantage. It was a rough start as he worked on learning moves and endured getting rolled multiple times at matches. He always had good balance and he was good at reversals. Chris took home an individual Junior Varsity First Place metal in the Mesa League 105 weight division in 2013, his team won First Place in the Mesa League in 2014, and he won an individual Varsity First Place metal in the Mesa League 114 weight division in 2015.

In the Hope Youth Corp, Chris was able to travel to Hawaii in 2012. It was at this venture where Chris was able to serve the orphan children on the island. He enjoyed being their friends, playing, and doing special things for them. He was also involved in a conservation project where he cleared lilies from the water - to help ensure a constant flow of water to balance the ecosystem in the area. I’m sure he would rather have been playing with children than to clear foliage in dark murky waters, but he did the work regardless. In 2013, Chris participated in Hope Youth Corp in Jamaica. Once again, he got to do what he loved, clear

foliage… I mean being in the company of underprivileged children that needed love, friendship and attention. His genuinely giving personality had such an impact on the children that they cried when it was time for him to leave. The children asked about him when the next group came to serve a year later. Chris was indeed an altruistic person as each individual he was involved with can attest to.

Chris also had a love for the ocean. At Otay Ranch High School, he formed the first Urban Surf-4-Kids Club. The club events were geared towards introducing orphans to stand up paddle boarding and surfing. He once said that one of the teens, from Arizona, had never seen the ocean before. This was an amazing experience for both Chris and his new friend. His friend did not only touch and play in the waves, but was able to use a board to enjoy the exhilaration of being pushed along by its mighty power. Chris was delighted and ecstatic to see the joy and excitement in her face - for Chris loved to make the people he is with feel special. He was blessed to be able to do two things that he loved so much - being in the water and with friends. Chris continued to volunteer for Urban Surf-4-Kids even when he was in college.

For work, Chris had a part-time job at Nestle Toll House during his senior year in high school - working the register, preparing great drinks, and baking all of the yummy treats! His family and friends got to reap the benefits of his job skills as he frequently made desserts for us all - something he did even before working at Nestle Toll House. This job was perfect for him because he now got paid for doing something he already loved to do. Chris also loved photography and he was good at it.

After graduating from high school, Chris was accepted to UCSD majoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. His first experience with the campus was through the Oasis Summer Bridge Program, where he stayed in the dorm, ate college food, sat in lectures, and had real homework assignments that had to be turned in. Being a participant in this program gave him a head start in knowing the layout of this big intimidating campus and most importantly cultivated friendships that only a “Bridge Kid” can identify with. He spent his first year at UCSD living in the dorm comprised of other Bridge Kids in his suite. Not long into the school year, he pledged and was accepted into the Psi Chi Omega Fraternity. Chris’ peers quickly noticed his giving and selfless personality. He had a knack for making people feel special by intently focusing on just that one individual at a time, and doing everything possible to make that person smile or feel loved. After all, he was used to this as he spent time with underprivileged children.

While attending UCSD, he worked on campus for the UCSD Special Events Parking Services and then as a shuttle bus driver for the UCSD Transportation Services.

Despite his outer strengths and beliefs, Chris sometimes struggled in his efforts to see the world as completely positive. He always hoped for the best and worked hard towards that end, but sometimes wasn't prepared for some of life's disappointments. Chris was deep, opinionated, sensitive, eager, driven, quiet, selfless, loving, caring, stubborn, and very talented - an individual who impacted so many people around him… and thus will be missed by so many people as well. Chris will always be in our hearts - we love you very much.