ABOUT ME

VOLUNTEER / COMMUNITY SERVICE

While in High School I participated in the following volunteer / community service activities.

Saint Junipero Serra Parish - Life Teen Leader 

2019-Present: Attended weekly leadership planning meetings. Led discussions and activities for weekly high school Life Teen meetings. Attended City of Saints Teen Conference

Saint Junipero Serra Parish - Crew Leader

2014- Present: Assisted director in setting up decorations, making props, building sets, and organizing crew bags. Assisted station leaders in activities, led small groups (preschool - 5th), and helped create activities related to the day’s topics. 

ExCEL Therapy Services - Volunteer

2018-Present: Assisted Speech Therapist in creating therapy material, and clerical duties (i.e., laminating, shredding, maintaining files, cleaning).

Girl Scouts - Volunteer

2014-2018: Volunteered at Grace Resources serving hot meals. Organized, built and created a sustainable library for AVC’s Childhood Development Program. Organized a toy drive for the children at AV hospital.  Level Cadette (Silver Award - highest honor a Cadette can achieve)

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Q&A)

Below are some Q&A reponses that might not have been covered in other areas of this website. If you have other questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

What is your proudest academic or personal accomplishments?

Taking four AP courses this year has been challenging. I learned a lot about myself in the process. I learned that hard work and wanting to do well is not enough to pass a test or get a good grade on a DBQ. It takes perseverance, accountability, willingness to hear criticism, and most of all, a bit of stubbornness to keep working when you don’t get the results you want. This year I have learned to think differently such as analyzing evidence and sources, arguing effectively, and interpreting, comparing and integrating information.There is such a thing as “brain fatigue” and I can honestly say that my brain has never felt this overworked. What I have accomplished these last two years in my AP classes is my proudest academic accomplishment. I have always had a difficult time explaining my thoughts and interpreting information. I have also been a very literal thinker since I was young - which may or may not have resulted in a couple of embarrassing situations. The fact that I struggled these past two years, was able to maintain a 4.0, but also gained something from my experiences, makes me extremely proud and more confident in my abilities as a student.

Tell me about yourself?

Many people will tell you that I am an introvert, perfectionist, competitive, and extremely hard working. Yes, I can even be a bit shy, but I have an outgoing, quirky, and goofy side as well. I love to spend time with family and friends, playing sports, traveling, and experiencing new things. A few fun facts about me: I’m very picky when it comes to my pizza and hot chocolate, and I stand by my word when I say that Starbucks has some of the best hot chocolate out there. I also have a knack for remembering odd and sometimes useless facts as well as collecting Christmas ornaments from places I’ve visited, Funko Pops, and snow globes.

What will you contribute to our college community?

I would contribute to my college community with my energy, enthusiasm, and passion for not only learning, but in any organization that I join. I am very supportive to my friends, so I feel like I would be the student who would stay up late with friends studying, listening to them when they need to talk, or motivating them to do their best in school.

Tell me about a challenge that you overcame?

Even though I am still working on it, I had to overcome my fear of failure and competing (specifically on the soccer field). I have accomplished this through continuing to work hard, being open with coaches, trying new things at practice where mistakes are sure to happen, and enrolling in an 8 week mindset program for female athletes.

What do you do for fun in your free time?

I like to draw, read, listen to music, play video games, learn about animals and watch video game theories.

If you could do one thing in high school differently, what would it be?

Even though I learned a lot, I probably should not have taken 4 AP classes at one time. It was challenge taking 4 AP classes, volunteering, and playing 2 sports. I think it is important to have rigorous classes, but I also think balance is needed. I think lack of sleep can impact one’s overall health and ability to enjoy and perform well.

What do you want to major in?

I want to major in biology. Majoring in biology allows for me to explore different career paths. At this time, I am leaning toward marine biology since I am interested in marine life and the ocean.

What book do you recommend?

The books I read for high school can be very deep, thought provoking, pessimistic, and controversial. When I read for myself, I tend to want to read the opposite (you know, for my mind’s sanity). I like to read Geekerella because it is a modern Cinderella story where the characters are into sci-fi and are a bit nerdy.

What did you do this summer?

This summer, I took an online drawing class, took an online animal course that had lectures on individual species, took virtual tours of college campuses, participated in webinars, and enrolled in an 8 week course on positive mindset. I also participated in virtual conditioning and soccer trainings with my Club soccer team, and enrolled in private martial arts lessons. COVID-19 has put a halt on my summer plans; however, my family and I managed to take a road trip to Park City, Utah over the July 4th weekend. I took advantage of this time to connect, via zoom, with family that I haven’t met and also to stay connected with my grandparents.

Who in your life has most influenced you?

My parents have influenced me the most. Both of my parents have gone to college, acquired degrees, and work in jobs they both love. They have managed to work full-time while raising my brother and I. They have instilled their values and morals to my brother and I.

How do you define success?

I define success as being satisfied with what you have accomplished.

Why do you want to go to college?

I want to go to college to continue learning. I’m excited to learn from professors and be with other students who also enjoy Biology. I won’t lie, the idea of living in the dorms and having some independence excites me as well. I know that going to college will help me obtain a job that will hopefully allow me to live a comfortable and happy life that would permit me to travel.

Tell me about your family?

My mom’s parents are from the Philippines, while my dad’s parents moved to California from New York. In high school, my parents were high achieving. My dad was captain of the football team (quarterback) and my mom was the captain of the cheerleading squad. My dad went to Kent State, where he received his master’s degree, and became an engineer. My mom went to Howard University, where she also received her master’s degree and works as a speech language pathologist in the public school system. My mom and dad are very professional when they need to be, but they are both extremely goofy and fun. I am the oldest child in our family. I have a younger brother, who is now in eighth grade. He likes to play soccer and basketball, but he is trying martial arts since group sports are on hold here in southern California. He is really smart and and has a unique sense of humor. Him and my dad are really good with electronics and computers. My family is very close, and we do a lot of things together. My mom and I like to sit outside together, shop, and watch Hallmark movies together. My dad and I like to workout and watch the Simpsons. My brother and I like to play video games, watch YouTube, talk about video games, tv shows, Pokemon, and other things like that. As a family, we enjoy traveling, going to sporting events, and sitting on the couch watching movies.

What do you do best?

I am able to recall hundreds of useless facts (Did you know that the condors pee on themselves in order to cool off) that make people laugh at how random I can be sometimes.

What historical figure do you most admire?

To be honest, I admire Jesus Christ. This may sound a bit cliché, but I admire the fact that he was able to keep his composure when people questioned, contradict, and acted violently against him. He did not even back down or lash out. He also died even though he would have preferred not. I think it is really admirable to sacrifice yourself for the love of others, and not succumb to the pressure of others.

What high school experience was most important to you?

During my freshman year, I was very frustrated with soccer. After the soccer season ended, my mom forced me to try out for the high school swim team. I tried it, ended up loving it, and took a break from club soccer. Swimming helped me gain confidence, achieve another level of fitness, and allowed me to reset my head. When I returned to club, I was a more confident person and a better soccer player.

Who helped you get to where you are today?

My parents are definitely big contributors to where I am today. They have supported me throughout my life and have always been there to help me during a situation, to reassure me, to encourage me to grow, but most of all, to love me. Also, Mrs. Debra, a family friend, has helped me a lot. She has picked me up whenever my parents couldn’t, and she has acted like my second mom. Whenever my parents could not be there (not that they did not want to), she would be there. My tutors have especially helped me. They made sure that I received help on content that I didn’t understand and/or that I missed due to athletic events or illness.

Tell me about your community service?

Being a Life Teen and VBS crew leader has allowed me: (1) To give back to my faith community, as well as the youth in the Antelope Valley (2) Be able to work with adults, other teen leaders, and the youth in our church (3) To develop skills like planning, organizing, and collaboration (4) To feel more comfortable with leading discussions and being a better listener (5) Helped me step out of my comfort zone.

Being more visible makes you more accountable as well. I think accountability, service, and kindness is essential especially in the world today. In addition, I have volunteered hours doing clerical duties for ExCel therapy services, worked with the Girl Scouts to create a sustainable library at a child development center, served and fed the homeless, organized a toy drive for the sick children at AV Hospital, and collected and sorted clothing at a homeless shelter. In addition, my swim and soccer teamates volunteered at elementary school carnivals and collected food and clothing for the homeless in our community.

My swim coach had a saying, “If you are going to be leader….you must be willing to serve others first”. Helping others, whether your family, strangers or teammates, is the greatest gift you can give. Volunteering allows you to feel apart of a community, causes you to become appreciative of what you have, and humbles you. 

What High School subject was the most challenging?

Calculus was the most challenging subject for me. I am not great at math to begin with, but calculus has a lot of hard concepts that I didn’t really grasp and had a hard time trying to apply. I am a lot better at Algebra. 

What are five adjectives that describe me?

1. Accountable - I really dislike disappointing myself and others. For that reason I strive to be my best. I do not make excuses for my inactions or things I do wrong. I value honesty and take criticism well. I believe in being punctual, prepared, open to learning, and others' ideas. Being accountable also means that I keep myself in the best shape mentally, emotionally, and physically that I can.

2. Faithful - I am extremely loyal and reliable to my family, friends, teammates, and most importantly, myself. I am also faithful in terms of my spiritual beliefs. Because of this, I believe in doing what is right even when no one is looking or when it is unpopular.

3. Grateful - I appreciate all the people in my life who have helped me to become the student, teammate, friend, and daughter I am today. Every situation, good or bad, has shaped who I am. I believe that being appreciative of what you have changes how you think, feel, and see the world.

4. Inquisitive - I may be quiet but my mind is always active. “Things” naturally pique my interest (literally anything and everything) so I tend to ask a lot of questions or use technology to find additional information. I love learning, exploring new places, trying different things, and learning about people and animals.

5. Tenacious - To me, goals are what keeps life interesting and what keeps people accountable and motivated. I will not give up or stop trying until I accomplish a goal. I will use every resource to help me get there.