Each year, The Dispatch features graduates who make Gilroy High
a special place. We’re starting a bit earlier with our 2011 Senior
Spotlight features to include more GHS grads who are moving into
the future with energy, creativity and hope. Enjoy.
NAME: Colleen Tanaka
AGE: 18 GPA: 3.86
DREAM JOB: FBI Agent
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Don’t follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – George Bernard Shaw
It’s not easy making everyone happy, but Colleen Tanaka does her best “to appeal to the student body, because each individual is different.”
Be it carrying out her duties as Associated Student Body president, co-president of the Interact Club, History Club president or lifeguarding in Morgan Hill, this year’s homecoming queen is all over the map.
“That was unexpected,” she said of being crowned. “It was a lot of fun, though.”
Should Tanaka pursue her field of interest, however, she might ditch the tiara for a holster.
During her junior year, Tanaka attended a leadership program that focused on criminal justice, and she’s been interested in law enforcement with the FBI ever since.
“We’ll see when I’m 23,” said the senior, who will attend Saint Mary’s College to study communications. “That’s the youngest you can be to apply to be an agent.”
NAME: Vania Espinoza
AGE: 18 GPA: 3.72
DREAM JOB: Something in biotech research
FAVORITE QUOTE: “There’s always room for improvement.”
By the time first period starts, Vania Espinoza has already attended church seminary at 6 a.m., followed by a visit to the animals at Gilroy High School’s farm.
“What do I do on the weekends? My homework and sleep,” laughed Gilroy High School’s National FFA Organization president.
The FFA Herdsman is responsible for taking care of sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and a steer on various mornings, afternoons and weekends.
“Working with animals was always very interesting for me,” she added.
Be it vaccinating, trimming hoofs or public speaking, Espinoza says the skills she’s honed in FFA align with her job responsibilities at the Gilroy Veterinary Hospital.
When she attends Brigham Young University in Utah, Espinoza will miss adviser Heather Nolan the most.
“It’s because of her that I’m actually where I am right now.”
NAME: Marciela “Mari” Olmos
AGE: 18 GPA: 4.11
DREAM JOB: Pediatrician or ultrasound technician
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Just live life with whatever words you can say.”
Mari Olmos is as bubbly as they come, which fits her duties as Gilroy High School Link Crew leader.
“We break the myths that freshman get canned or egged,” she said, explaining each Link Crew member takes a ninth grader under his or her wing. “We call them, check up on them and throw events for them to make them feel involved.”
When Olmos trots off to the University of California, Davis, next year, the only problem she’ll run into is not having enough hours in the day. Doctors Without Borders, traveling abroad so she can reinforce her Spanish major, medical studies, photography, joining “tons” of clubs such as Inner Tube Waterpolo – Olmos literally wants to do it all.
She’s geared to go, having already made UC Davis friends via Facebook.
“Social media has changed how we work and meet people,” says the seasoned Gilroy Garlic Festival volunteer. “It’s really awesome.”
