Each month, the principals of Gilroy and Christopher high schools choose a total of four students (two from GHS and two from CHS) to spotlight. GHS junior Jailene Arellano, 16, is this week’s Student of the Week.
College Plans: My dream school is Columbia University in New York City. I’ve been working hard since elementary school to get into an Ivy League university but if I decide to stay closer to home, USC and UCLA are my next priorities.
What inspires you? Movies have played a big part in my life. When I was younger, I used to pretend I was the main character in a constantly-filming movie that was my life. It’s a weird idea, but so many actresses and actors like Audrey Hepburn and Johnny Depp have inspired me since I was young to work towards my dreams.Â
What is your favorite subject in school, and why? Definitely my Chamber Choir class. Working with Mr. Phil Robb has been one of the best experiences in high school. I found a new love for choral music and the choir program is one of the best things in Gilroy, in my opinion.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be? Ignorance. There’s TOO much ignorance in the world for us to live peacefully. It’s ridiculous that we have to debate over gay rights and womens’ rights in politics; these are people, not agendas. It’s ridiculous that people support wars when they’re uneducated about them. It’s ridiculous that there’s still SO much intolerance in the world. Why? Ignorance. Educate yourselves. That is the only way we will ever get rid of ignorance in our world.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I’d love to go to Africa and do volunteer work there over the summer. Definitely on my bucket list.
Name one big challenge in your life right now: Trying to find my first job! Someone employ me, PLEASE.Â
What is your dream job? My dream job is working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Acting, production, publicity, it all fascinates me. Politics would be cool too, but you have to be at least slightly insane to be President of the United States.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things could you not live without? Netflix, my toothbrush, and the book “How to Build a Boat.”
Favorite book: “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah is a great book about the plight of child soldiers in Africa. It was written by a former child soldier in the civil war in Sierra Leone. My freshmen Global History teacher Mr. Gonzales assigned it to us and I highly recommend it.
Something that makes you smile: Summer music festivals.
