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!). 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 2014.
Grace Gullen, Christopher High School
Favorite high school memory:
During my junior year, I ran for ASB President, and my friend Kristen Mank ran for senior class President. To really get the attention of the student body, we organized a 40-plus person flash mob that happened during lunch one day. Brittney Souza did a really great job of choreographing the dance, and we really surprised the student body! We had a blast dancing, and so did everyone else in the first-ever flash mob at CHS. Kristen and I won the positions we ran for, so that was the cherry on top of it all!
Extracurriculars:
I am a leader of the worship band at the South Valley Community Church High School Ministry, where we practice during the week and play on Sundays. I also attend events through my youth group that include epic mall scavenger hunts and the occasional Nerf gun war. CHS ASB keeps me pretty busy outside of school as I am usually working on decorations for an event or fulfilling a wish for Make-a-Wish. Through my heavy involvement in ASB this year, I have been able to create relationships and work on projects with various community members ranging from a Gilroy Chamber of Commerce leader to a small business owner. Living in Gilroy has given me great opportunities to connect with the community and get involved.
What inspires you?
The student’s joy inspires me because that is what matters. Maya Angelou said it best when she explained, “People forget what you said. People forget what you did but people never forget how you made them feel” The surprise on a students face when their wish is granted or the excitement that the freshmen have going to their first rally motivates me to keep working hard. In order to create the absolute best environment for students at CHS, we need students to feel genuinely cared for and appreciated. I have found that there truly is a ripple effect with kindness. If I can take any part in starting that ripple, I will do my best and hope the joy is widespread.
What’s your dream career?
My dream career is to be a Cirque du Soleil performer and travel all over the world. Unfortunately, I have no balance or flexibility, so I would love to be a doctor. Through classes at school, I have found that I enjoy speaking Spanish. This skill can eventually allow me to travel to Latin American countries in need or communities nearby who do not know English. In some parts of the world, eye drops can cure blindness, and simple vaccines can relieve severe pain. I desire to save lives in any way I can.
Favorite subject:
Any world language class is the best. There is nothing like learning a new way to communicate with others that you could not communicate with before. I have had great experiences with my Spanish teachers who are enthusiastic about the culture and in depth with the language. Learning about various cultures and ideas in these classes opened my eyes to the beauty of language and the importance of communication.
What you’ll miss the most:
I will miss emceeing rallies and Make-a-Wish the most. I feel so blessed to have had these two unique experiences in high school. Running around a basketball court pumping up 1,800 students at rallies for two years has been unbelievably fun. The sound of a roaring crowd of people is something I will never forget. My partner Ryan Kuwada (aka Ry-Dawg) is great, and I cannot imagine emceeing events with anyone else. I am honored to have been a founder of the Make-a-Wish program and watch more than 40 students’ wishes big and small come true. I am very thankful for the compassionate students who are on the Make-a-Wish team because nothing that happened this year would have been possible without them. From organizing a barbershop quartet performance to a superhero obstacle course to a slice of cake, every wish the Make-a-Wish team grants is just as unique as the student who wished them.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
BE YOURSELF! Want to make friends? Be yourself! No one in this entire universe is like you. Take pride in being a dork because I guarantee there are dorks out there that you would have a blast with. Following the “in-crowd” is no fun, so just be yourself. Be goofy. Be dorky. Be genuine. Be you!
Victor Olmos, Gilroy High School
What are your plans after high school?
I will attend Stanford University, where I will major in biology. I plan on getting a doctorate in biology and in medicine and pursuing a career in stem cell research and development. I hope that one day my research will be used to cure genetic diseases that are believed to be incurable such as my family’s genetic disease, Huntington’s disease.
Favorite high school memory:
I do not have just one memory but years of memories with people that helped shape me into the man I am today. I will always remember my wrestling coaches, Greg Varela, Jason Villarreal, Bill Fox and Dr. Sanchez for pushing me every day and helping me reach my goals. Thank you. I will never forget my lifetime friends I met through wrestling and one friend in particular that helped me become who I am today, thank you Nikko. And never could I forget the smartest person I know, my girlfriend and future rival, Caitlin Filice-Hollar. You pushed me to be my best and helped me accomplish everything I have wanted to accomplish; I know you will do great at Berkeley.
Extracurriculars:
I was on the varsity wrestling team for four years, and I am a four-time CCS finalist and three time champion, I was a member of CSF for four years and I am a life member, and I was also a member of the science club.
What inspires you?
My grandfather inspires me every day. He suffers from Huntington’s disease, and his daily struggle inspires me to be the best that I can be so that one day I can help cure him and others like him that fight the same battle to survive.
What’s your dream career?
My dream career is studying stem cells and developing cures/therapies to cure people with genetic diseases that affect the nervous system.
Favorite subjects:
Biology and chemistry
What you’ll miss the most:
I will miss the friends I may never see again, my buddies from the mat, the friendships that were just beginning, the amazing teachers that pushed me, my crazy coach and my friend for life Nikko.
Advice to incoming freshmen
My advice is simple. I didn’t achieve everything that I have by myself. If you want to succeed you have to surround yourself with people that have similar interests and also want to be successful. You must also be self-motivated and find something that pushes you to be your best and do what others won’t. There has to be some reason you are doing all of this, and once you find that reason, you have to let it fuel your flame so you can push through when it gets hard and come out of everything on top.
Bryanna Chavez, Gilroy High School
What are your plans after high school?
After high school I will be attending U.C. Berkeley, and I plan to major in molecular and cell biology.
Favorite high school memory:
My favorite high school memories are the times I spent with my friends. I’ll always remember learning gymnastics with Mariah, having bonfires at Stevie’s, going on adventures with Omar, having long talks with Haleigh and Crystal or building paper roller coasters or cardboard boats with Justin. I’ll also remember my AP Chemistry class last year that taught me how fun and interesting chemistry can be and all the friendly debates about journal prompts or interpretations in my AP English Literature class.
Extracurriculars:
This year I was ASB Secretary, Interact Vice President, a member of the Art Lit Guild, as well as a mentor for the Gilroy Foundation’s Youth Board, which I joined in the eighth grade.
What inspires you?
My parents, Cristobal Chavez and Patricia Claros, inspire me because they are both very determined individuals, and they have taught me to always pursue what makes me happy. Though neither of them has a college degree, they have both become successful through hard work and kind hearts. They have been extremely supportive and never fail to commend my achievements. I know that all they have done is to help me obtain a great future, so I always strive to make them proud and not take for granted all they have given me. I am also inspired by two of the strongest women I know: my grandmother Maribel Tinker and great-grandmother Tite. They have taught me to be independent and that I can do whatever I set my mind on.
What’s your dream career?
There are many careers I feel that I would enjoy, but I have yet to single out the one I like the best. Sometimes I want to be a pediatrician while other times I want to be a professor. My latest option is a researcher for the CDC.
Favorite subject:
I love all science and math classes, but the subject I enjoyed the most
was chemistry.
What you’ll miss the most:
I’ll miss seeing my friends at school every day. Everyone seems to be heading in different directions, and though it is exciting for all of us to start this new chapter of our lives, it’s also sad to know that we’ll be distant.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
It’s never too late to get involved. Joining clubs and other organizations made me feel more productive and allowed me to gain more insight. I recommend every freshmen find something that interests them, whether it be their freshmen year or later on. Also, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. I postponed planning what I wanted to do after high school and found the end of my high school experience much more stressful. If they begin to think about what they want their life to become earlier on, it won’t be so stressful when it’s time to apply for colleges, select a major and find scholarships.
Ryan Kuwada, Christopher High School
What are your plans after high school?
My plans after high school are to attend Sacramento State University and major in graphic design.
Favorite high school memory:
My favorite memory was emceeing the first rally of my senior year and getting 1,700 students to stand on their feet and sing “We Will Rock You” by Queen.
Extracurriculars:
I participated in boys volleyball for four years, playing on varsity and junior varsity. I was Junior Class President and Senior Class Vice-President, a local deejay and Chamber Choir singer.
What inspires you?
What inspires me are people who achieve their greatest dreams through countless hard work and effort.Â
What’s your dream career?
My dream career is to become a world-renowned DJ/Producer and travel the world making people jump to music.
Favorite subject:
My favorite subject hands-down is history. It’s the most interesting subject because it always changes everyday and shapes the world.
What you’ll miss the most:
I will miss the Gilroy culture the most: You can’t find great people or rich culture anywhere else than here. I will also miss the smell of garlic.
Advice to incoming freshmen:
Do everything you can to possibly have the most fun and interactive experience. High school is such a huge part of your life. It’s the memories you will always remember whether its bad or good—that’s all up to you, so make every moment of your high school career like it’s your last.
