Selecting students for the Gilroy Dispatch’s annual senior spotlight honor is no enviable task. That’s why we make the principals do it (and they resent us for making them narrow it down to one!) These students have navigated the labyrinth of high school hurdles and we are inspired by their optimistic outlook, refreshing attitudes and heartfelt honesty. We celebrate them, their families, their mentors and all the graduating seniors in the Class of 2013 for their accomplishments and wish them the best of luck and a fulfilling future.
DR. TJ OWENS EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY (GECA)
Nestor Fernando Lopez, 18
What are your plans after high school?
I am attending UC Davis in the fall as a political science major and will earn Juris Doctorate to fulfill my dream of becoming a judge. It will be a long journey in school, but thanks to the GECA program I have been able to shave two years off of my undergraduate study due to the amount of units I have already accumulated with Gavilan College. Law school will be daunting, but I am certain that I will be able to make it through and earn my degree. Judgeship takes some time to attain, so in order to expose myself to law, I will try to pursue a job as a prosecutor. My goal is to leave society better than when I found it. I want to be the change in America, I want to make this country better for future generations. On this journey though, I plan to enjoy my life as much as I can, to always appreciate the people around you, and to remember that life is short, so make it count.
Favorite high school memory:
This a rather difficult question…but I would have to say it was when my school’s Academic Decathlon team went to the state championships in Sacramento this past year. I was proud to be one the nine Decathletes on the team who spent all year learning the history and culture of Russia. We had a great coach who taught us everything we knew and who was able to maximize our trip to Sacramento. We stayed in a beautiful hotel, met some great people, toured the city, had some fine dining, participated in the competition, had two of our Decathletes medal, and the whole team was able to bond and continue to affirm our friendships. It was such a fun experience. If I could I would do it again.
What was your biggest challenge in high school?
Trying to balance my studies with the time set aside for outside activities. Many times when my friends would ask if we could do something, I would have to say I couldn’t because of my studies. Other times, I had a hiking trip that I had planned months in advance, only to be possibly thwarted by schoolwork. It was tough choosing what to do at times, but in the end the schoolwork always got done and I managed to somehow have a good time.
Extracurriculars:
I was in Boy Scouts from the age of 6 as a Cub Scout and up until I turned 18; now I am an adult leader in Troop 711. I have also finished all the work to become an Eagle Scout and I am waiting for the paperwork to be processed and to have my final board of review to earn the coveted rank.
-I was a member of my schools Academic Decathlon Starting 9 team
-I was a Gavilan College Cheerleader this past year!
-I was vice president of my schools Film Club
-I was the Chief Justice of my schools Honor Code Tribunal. This is a body of students that handle any infraction against the school Honor Code and asses guilt or innocence. If found guilty, the proper consequences are put in place. However, Tribunals purpose has never been to punish, it has been to help students learn from their mistakes. It was honor to serve on Tribunal and I hope that other schools can follow its example.
-I was in Interact, the Rotary Club based community service organization.
-I helped to found the Gavilan College Model United Nations club.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by many things. I’m inspired by works of literature, films, music and nature. When it comes to films, music, and literature, the majority of times I prefer works that require the audience to think about the material that is presented to them. I’m inspired by the philosophical questions of what it is that makes us human, what is right and what is wrong, and who we are as a society. I’m inspired by the beauty of nature and of life; it’s something I want to preserve for future generations and will work hard to do. These sources of inspiration help keep my mind active and help guide me in times of trouble. They help to lift my spirits, open my mind to new ideas, and find solutions to problems I may have.
What’s your dream career?
To be a Justice on the Supreme Court. I feel that even though it is the least recognized of the three branches of government, it is the most important. It is the heart and soul of America, they are the branch that decides what is permitted under the Constitution, they defend the Constitution, and they defend the rights of the people. It would be an honor and my dream to contribute to the United States in this way.
Favorite subject:
Of the traditional subjects, history and government are my favorite subjects. I love to read about the past and draw parallels to modern times. I love to read about other great civilizations, different cultures and learn more about our culture. Government is so complex that I find it intriguing. I find it amazing how government works, how it has helped people, but also how it has failed people. Non-traditionally, my favorite subject is political science. Since Gavilan College offers courses in political science, it allowed me to be exposed to the subject and I fell in love with it because it encompasses history and government. It’s intriguing to compare different governments, study the War on Terror, analyze the foreign affairs of the United States, and trying to understand why certain events in the world happen.
What you’ll miss the most:
I’m going to miss my classmates most. My class was very small, consisting of only 39 students. Because we were so small we all knew one another quite well. The people I was with these past few years were incredible. They are some of the smartest, kindest, most caring individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone was always happy to lend a hand to another person in need, you could always find a friend. I’m going to miss them, but I know that we will see one another again someday.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
My advice to the incoming freshmen would be to relish the time you have. Don’t procrastinate, it will come back and strike you. Time is valuable, the time I had at GECA was incredible, but it seems like it went by very quickly. Take the time to enjoy yourself at the school, enjoy your friends, enjoy the wonderful staff, enjoy your life! These years will go by quickly and by the time you appreciate what you have, it will be too late. So please, use your time wisely and make sure you slow down to smell the roses.
*****
MT. MADONNA HIGH SCHOOL
Alfonso Valverde, 18
What are your plans after high school?
After high school I am doing an internship at a Four Square Ministry Camp called Old Oak Ranch up in Sonora, California. After that I plan to go to Gavilan College to take some extra math classes and computer classes so I can hopefully go to Full Sail University in Florida and major in Game Design.
Favorite high school memory:
I guess I would have to say the softball tournament we got to play in against other continuation high schools. I liked it because we don’t have any school sports so it was really nice to get a team together and play softball against other schools. Not only that but we took first place with a record of 3-0 and the team itself was pretty happy about that especially since we got first place medals.
What was your biggest challenge in high school?
The biggest challenge in high school for me was staying on top of my homework. I had trouble doing my homework because I felt like I didn’t need the extra practice to learn the material. My test and quiz scores definitely showed that I didn’t need the extra practice. Ask my past teachers and they will tell you I was always a smart student that understood the material.
Extracurriculars:
My freshmen year I played football for Christopher High School as a wide receiver and cornerback. However, with the lack of passing game on the team I mostly played defense. I also helped out the wrestling team for CHS. I am a wrestler myself and I love the sport and bringing out the potential in other wrestlers. I played little league baseball for nine years and tried out for the baseball team for CHS but got dropped because of my grades. After finishing school at Mt. Madonna, in early April, I continued to go to school to help out and participate in the P.E. class that is taught by Mr. Davis. I like adding to the competitive feeling you have when you are in 6th period P.E.
What inspires you?
I guess the slight possibility of being someone else’s inspiration is my inspiration. Knowing that there is a slight chance of myself inspiring someone to complete their goals and dreams is a good enough reason to inspire me.
What’s your dream career?
My dream career is to own my gaming franchise that will be stationed here in Gilroy and in Silicon Valley.
Favorite subject:
To be honest it is really hard to pick a favorite subject because I am so easily amused and fascinated by just about everything. However, I would have to say it would have to be a tie between history and math.
What you’ll miss the most:
I guess I’ll miss the teachers and staff the most. All the teachers and staff at Mt. Madonna are really great. The teachers are really great and they really do care about every student. The staff is kind of like students themselves. A lot of the students get along just fine with the staff, like myself. If I could I would write a paper on each teacher and staff member just to prove why I’ll miss them the most.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
My advice for incoming freshmen is to just be you. Don’t try to fit in with the “in crowd”. Stick to your roots but don’t be afraid to try new things also, but don’t go overboard. As much as I dislike the fact of homework make sure you do it! Most importantly have fun in high school. It will be the last time to have fun as a “kid” before you leave high school and enter the world as an adult.
*****
CHRISTOPHER HIGH SCHOOL
Kyle Kwong, 17
What are your plans after high school?
I plan to continue my education in the fall as an undergraduate at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Favorite high school memory:
My favorite high school memory was the senior trip to Magic Mountain. Spending the night there with some of my best friends was so much fun, and I would do it again a thousand times over if I could.
What was your biggest challenge in high school?
TIME MANAGEMENT! While in high school, I tried to involve myself in so many different extracurricular activities that it was really difficult to balance them out with my academic work. And, of course, I suffered from the disease that plagues so many students: senioritis. Symptoms include apathy to schoolwork and chronic procrastination. It was really awful. Luckily, things worked out for the best. I think.
Extracurriculars:
I’ve participated in the ASB / Student Government class all four years of high school. I was class treasurer in my freshman and sophomore years, class president in my junior year, and ASB vice president in my senior year. I was also co-president, along with one of my greatest friends Veasna Khay, of the Interact Club and the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), which are both clubs focused on community service. I also played varsity tennis for three years and participated in marching band for two years. Outside of school entirely, I also play the piano (12 years and counting!).
What inspires you?
People who genuinely enjoy what they are doing, unmotivated by rank or salary, inspire me the most. In particular, this applies to public school educators, who are known to make very little in comparison to those with other jobs that require at least an undergraduate degree. They have the ability to take other jobs that could potentially pay more; instead, they have used their education to give back to communities by providing education to students who are often apathetic about school and their teachers. They teach because they really love teaching and inspiring students, and even if they cannot reach every single student, they use every resource possible to try their best and that inspires me more than anything else in the world.
What’s your dream career?
Currently, I plan to study computer science at Harvard, and I would like to be a software engineer in the future; however, I also hope to one day teach in a public school system (preferably high school). While in college, though, these plans may change, as I plan to keep to an open mind and may change my interests.
Favorite subject:
My favorite subject is definitely math! I can’t say which math class in particular, since one of my math teachers is going to kill me if it’s not her class.
What you’ll miss the most:
I’m going to miss the accessibility of the staff and the students that I’ve had the privilege of calling my friends these past four years. At most large universities, staff are often swamped with their own work and don’t really have time to always answer your questions and help you with any problems you may have. At Christopher High School, the staff has been so accommodating and helpful. I know that without them, I could have never accomplished what I have. As for the students, I’ve met some of the greatest (and worst) people at Christopher High School. While the student body is not perfect, everyone is ambitious, chasing their own dreams whether or not those dreams are academic, and they inspire me to always keep moving forward. I honestly can’t imagine not being able to see them on a daily basis, and I plan to keep in touch with many of them as we move onto college and other post-high school plans.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
Please, please, PLEASE DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! I am such a hypocrite for saying so, but learn from the master: procrastination does not pay. I’ve spent so many sleepless nights with so many cups of tea that I would be surprised if my body were not permanently damaged in some way. Yes, I know, your favorite TV show is on and it’s the freaking season finale, but go do your homework. Seriously. Most importantly, don’t make your academic work the primary focus of your entire life. Find other interests that actually interest you. That’s not to say you should totally disregard school though; please earn good grades and try your hardest in your classes. But please remember that there’s so much more to life than your grades, or getting into your college of choice, or getting that perfect, high-paying job. They are means to an end, and it is up to you to find out what that end is. Find out what makes you work so hard, what makes you willing to stay up all night for because that will be the strongest driving force (even stronger than your parents!) in your life. Remember that you’re capable of doing great things for the world, but you’re also capable of doing great things for YOU. Remember that you’re important too, and I hope that you find happiness in whatever you decide to do. Good luck, and have fun!
*****
GILROY HIGH SCHOOL
Mariesa Mazzone, 18
What are your plans after high school?
I plan on attending Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts to study Forensic Anthropology.
Favorite high school memory:
Going to CCS for field hockey in my junior year. We beat Los Gatos in double overtime and double strokes. It was amazing.
What was your biggest challenge in high school?
Keeping up my grades in my AP classes but it was worth it in the end because I was accepted to my number one college choice, Mount Holyoke.
Extracurriculars:
My favorite extracurricular activity is Field Hockey.
What inspires you?
My family inspires me because they always encourage me to do well. They are very supportive and they have taught me to reach for the stars.
What’s your dream career?
My dream career is to be a head scientist in a forensics department.
Favorite subject:
My favorite subjects are Anatomy and Biology.
What you’ll miss the most:
I will miss my friends, my teachers, and my field hockey team the most.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
My advice to incoming freshmen is to do your homework, don’t procrastinate, always pay attention in class and take your studies seriously. Don’t take your four years for granted because four years is not a long time, get involved and have fun!
