We’re introducing a new trivia series called, “Guess the San Josean,” where we give you 3-4 hints about influential leaders, business owners, artists, and other local movers and shakers in our community.
Before we get into it, we’d like to note that the term “San Josean” doesn’t just apply to people born and raised here. Any individual who has made an impact in our beloved city or has contributed to the diverse, amazing spectacle that is the great 408, we consider them a San Josean.
Are you ready? Get set, guess.
San Josean #7
Clues:
- This San Josean ran for a major public office, and when elected, she was the first woman to hold the position.
- Through her leadership, San Jose would become known in the 70s and 80s as the “feminist capital of the world.”
- She focused on growth in San Jose’s downtown core, running on the slogan, “Make San José better before we make it bigger.”
You think you’ve got it? Make your guess.
San Josean #6
And the mystery San Josean is... Apple pioneer and tech wizard Steve Wozniak.
While some readers were quick to guess his former Apple partner, Steve Jobs (and at least one person guessed another computing pioneer, David Packard), most of you were right on the mark. Born in San Jose, Woz isn’t just a titan of the tech industry, his many philanthropic endeavors have touched the lives of San Joseans, valley-wide.
The clues we provided:
- This San Jose-born inventor began developing one of the most influential computers in 1975.
- They received the national medal of technology in 1985.
- Inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame in 2000.
- One of the founding sponsors of the Tech Museum, the Childrens Discovery Museum of San Jose, and Silicon Valley Ballet.
San Josean #5
And the mystery San Josean is... Silicon Valley Pride’s Chief Diversity Officer Sera Fernando.
This particular local seemed to stump many of you. If you can recall, we previously talked a little about Sera in our local LGBTQ+ activists story. She continues to stay involved with queer + transgender youth rights and advocates for more transgender and nonbinary representation in Santa Clara County’s workforce. Her Instagram is a great place for all the resources she provides to underrepresented groups in our San Jose community.
The clues we provided:
- Born + raised in San Jose, this transgender Filipino woman now works for SV Pride
- Involved with organizations like Lesbians Who Tech + Allies, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Billy DeFrank Center
- If you remember, we briefly talked about her along with other local LGBTQ+ activists
San Josean #4
And the mystery local is... pro-skateboarder Bob Schmelzer.
A few of you mistook the owner of Circle-A Skateboards and Coffee for legendary pro skateboarder Steve Caballero — a good guess, because Bob also dominated the local skating scene. After shredding around the country in the 1980s, he decided to set up shop in the town that gave him his start. Since 1997, Circle-A has been a staple for the skateboarding community + recently moved into a larger space in the SoFA District next to Mama Kin.
The clues we provided:
- Originally from Orange County, but lived in San Jose since the late 1970s
- Became a professional skateboarder who toured the US three times from the late 1980s to the early 1990s
- Was a stunt double for Eric Stoltz playing “Marty McFly” (before Michael J. Fox was cast) in “Back to the Future”
San Josean #3
And the mystery local is... artist Alyssa Wigant.
The San Jose native is often found in creative corners all over the city. The famous San Jose mural in the graphic above? She painted it. The Quakes’ AAPI shirt given to 1,000+ fans last year? She designed it.
Alyssa currently resides in the South Bay and works as an interactive experience designer for Apple. Her latest work can be found at the utility box on the corner of Third and William streets — inspired by a few of her favorite things.
The clues we provided:
- A San Jose-born and raised visual designer, artist, and illustrator
- Her work can be found all over town — whether it be on utility boxes, in the SAP Center, on the backs of Quakes’ fans, or spanning large walls in downtown San Jose.
- She goes by “Pinay Envy” with the Silicon Valley Roller Derby.
San Josean #2
And the mystery person is... District 3 Councilmember Omar Torres.
Last fall, Councilmember Omar Torres was elected to City Council to represent the greater downtown area — securing 66% of votes. Formerly, he was on the Board of Education as a trustee representing the San Jose, Evergreen Community College District. He comes from a working-class background, where both his parents + grandparents worked at the Del Monte Canneries. You can catch him speaking at the Holistica Arts birthday celebration this Sunday, June 25, 12-2 p.m., at 855 S. Fifth St.
The clues we provided:
- A San Jose native + SJSU alum who grew up in the Guadalupe-Washington neighborhood
- Helped bring Biblioteca Latino-Americana Branch Library + Washington Youth Center to his neighborhood
- The first gay Latino to sit on any City Council in Santa Clara County
San Josean #1
And the mystery person is... reporter Robert Handa.
Currently, Robert hosts “Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa,” for NBC Bay Area News, and resides in Morgan Hill with his family. He’s been honored with “Reporter of the Year” from The Associated Press, collected several Emmys for his investigative reporting, and gathered various distinguished alumnus awards from Sunnyvale High School, De Anza College, and San Jose State.
The clues we provided:
- A South Bay native who attended De Anza College and San Jose State University
- Became the first Asian American reporter at KNTV Channel 11
- Is currently a reporter for NBC Bay Area and host of a weekly talk show highlighting local Asian American communities.
