What schools did you attend in TUSD?
Julien Elementary (starting in 5th grade), Dutcher Middle School, and Turlock High School.
What year did you graduate?
2014
What schools did you attend after high school? Major?
I graduated from UC Santa Barbara in June and majored in Communication and minored in Geography. At the beginning of my senior year, I also attended Semester at Sea, a study abroad program where I embarked on a cruise ship for four months and traveled through Europe, Africa, and Asia.While at UCSB, I was also active in Greek life as a member and officer and volunteered for a non-profit called Gray Whales Count.
What are your career goals/career? Accomplishments?
Right now, I work as a Marketing Coordinator at an event production company in San Francisco. Someday, I hope to embark on another Semester at Sea voyage as a staff member. Ultimately, my career goal is to help, empower, and educate others. I’m not sure what that looks like for me, but I feel that this is what I was meant to do.
What teachers/classes made an impact on you?
My junior year of high school, I took the first-ever AP Environmental Science course at THS with Mr. Ryan Hollister. He is a fantastic educator who gets his students excited to learn about the environment because HE gets excited about educating his students about the environment. His enthusiasm is contagious! His class made me curious about the interaction between people and the environment/space, which is how I became interested in geography and ended up graduating with a minor in Geography. If anyone knows Mr. Hollister, they know that he is witty, goofy, and a frequent pun maker. He and I share the same style of humor and when I was his student, his humor made me feel like engaging in witty banter and making puns, no matter how many people groan at them, shows intelligence and is an acceptable way to express yourself. He always stayed true to himself and I admire him for that.
Any advice for students?
First and foremost, study abroad or go abroad! America’s lens on the world can be so narrow and one-sided. Exposing yourself to and becoming curious about different parts of the world gives you an opportunity to learn about how different types of people, environments, and political and socioeconomic climates behave in a global context and gives you an opportunity to learn things you never knew about yourself.
The late Maya Angelou once said, “If you get, give. If you learn, teach.” Generosity and knowledge together can propel you to where you want to go. You are an expert in something, and you would be doing a disservice to society and your immediate community if you do not share your knowledge.
Hobbies? Things you enjoy in your spare time?
I love to explore new places, even if it means that I get lost in the process. I also like to meditate and I enjoy the outdoors, especially near the ocean. Now that I’m in San Francisco, I am hoping to attend more Broadway shows, concerts, and plays.
Anything else you’d like to share?
For all the students out there, enjoy the time you have in school, whether that’s high school and/or college. I think for many students, school is thought to be a stepping stone for their first jobs and dream careers. Enjoy this time when your friends are close by and your biggest problem during the day is figuring out what topic you’ll choose for your next paper. I frequently miss the times where I played in the high school band during Friday night football games and the times where I made spontaneous plans with my friends in college. Always cherish those moments! Lastly and most importantly, do what makes you happy. There have been times where I have felt pressured to make other people happy at the expense of my own happiness. Getting an education gives you the opportunity to develop your voice and figure out what makes you happy, so don’t let people and their opinions get in the way of that.
