Haleigh Dalke, a 17-year-old senior at GHS, is this week’s “Student of the Week.”
What inspires you?
A lot of things inspire me, but most of all my mom inspires me. She is the best mother I could ever ask for, and she balances a lot between owning a business and ensuring my sisters and I are happy. She challenges me to do better and encourages me to carry on when times get tough. I admire her success in life. I only hope I can be as successful and as great of a person as she is. Other people who are more talented, smarter, or nicer than I am also inspire me to become a better person and work harder.
What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
I have always liked math because it comes naturally to me. I am currently in AP Calculus AB, and oddly enough love it. I have an amazing teacher, Mrs. Pham, who explains everything clearly and makes class fun.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?
This is a tough question for me. I guess I’d want to change (or rather want everyone to experience) a camp or program similar to the camp Gilroy Rotary sponsored me to go to. The camp, RYLA, promoted values such as service above self and being kind to one another while emphasizing leadership skills. It was probably the best experience of my life because the program created an environment where you could truly be you, and not have to worry about any form of judgement or bullying. I made hundred of friends all over the Bay Area through the short one week program, and I am close to every one of them. It would change the world if everyone could experience what I experienced at RYLA because it would eliminate bullying, racism, and sexism, while promoting peace through service, love, and friendship. The world would be a better place if everyone held those same values.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
The South of France. Ever since I took French in school, I have always wanted to visit the beautiful coasts and culture-filled towns.
Name one big challenge in your life right now:
Balancing my activities and time management! I am so involved that balancing school, clubs, ASB, dance, and a social life gets very complicated. I have to make a lot of sacrifices, and I often get little to no sleep because I simply don’t have time to sleep.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is becoming a professional dancer and dancing alongside a famous singer like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, ect.
What are your three favorite things?
My three favorite things (to do) are dancing, baking, and hanging out with my close friends.
Favorite book:
“HUNGER GAMES” TRIOLOGY BY FAR. I am obsessed with the series and I’ve read each one three times. I also own “The Hunger Games” and have seen “Catching Fire” three times in theaters.
What do you want to do after high school?
After high school, I hope to go to one of my top colleges like NYU, University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, or UCLA and study dance (preferably) or engineering.
Something that makes you smile:
Pretty much everything makes me smile. I am naturally a smiley person and I love making people around me laugh and smile too. However, dance always makes me smile because it’s my passion and I love it so much.
Top three most played songs on your iTunes or iPod:
I tend to get tired of songs quickly, so no song ever stays on my playlists for long. But if I had to choose it would be these: 1) “Say Something” by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera, 2) “Pompeii” by Bastille and 3) “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry.
