Selecting students for the Morgan Hill Times’ 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 2014.
James Gabbard, 18, Live Oak High School
What are your plans after high school?
I’ll be studying at the University of Southern California next year (Fight On!), pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in music performance. After that, I may or may not attend grad school, and with a lot of work and little luck I hope to find a job as an engineer!
What is your favorite subject?
Band, by far. It’s been my elective for six years, and I’m close with my band director Mr. Locsin, as well as nearly every single student in the class.
What was your biggest challenge?
Right now, my biggest challenge is figuring out what to do with my life. I’ll be at USC for the next four years, but afterwards there will be a lot of decisions to make. Even while I’m studying, I’ll need to start preparing for a career and seeking out internships with prospective employers.
What is your dream job?
A mechanical engineer. I like mental challenges, messing around with power tools, and working with real, tangible materials. A mechanical engineer incorporates all three, and gives me the opportunity to confront a lot of the challenges that our society is facing today.
What is your advice to freshmen?
I’m always inspired by my peers, especially my fellow students at Live Oak High School. Watching band members and track athletes decide that they want to succeed, and then put in the work to accomplish that, makes me want to do the same.
What inspires you?
Playing music with my friends. Whether it’s a brass quintet with the senior Live Oak brass players or a bluegrass jam with Sam Kennedy and Ryan Miller, music is a great way to relax, get creative, and feel productive at the same time.
What are the three most played songs on your iPod?
• Harvest, by John Mackey
• Paranoia in B Flat Major, by the Avett Brothers
• Symphony #2 in C Minor, by Gustav Mahler
Jessica Yanez, 17, Ann Sobrato High School
What are your plans after high school?
In the fall, I will be attending the University of California, Santa Barbara as a computer engineering major. This summer I plan to volunteer as a Mariachi Teacher at the Alum Rock Union School District. I will also be traveling to Mexico to help remodel a local elementary school.
What is your favorite high school memory?
In high school, I founded the peer tutoring program that serves over 60 students on campus. I recall one day during math class, my teacher pulled me aside and told me that another math teacher appreciated the time and effort I have put into the program. Seeing the impact of the peer tutoring program at Sobrato has been a fulfilling experience.
What was your biggest challenge in high school?
I found the AP Calculus and AP Physics courses to be the biggest challenge for me in high school. Both courses were rigorous and I had to seek additional help to ensure that I understood the materials. At the same time, these courses were extremely engaging and they challenged me to bring my best foot forward as I prepared for the AP exams.
What extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
My extracurricular activities include peer tutoring, mariachi instructor, a variety of clubs on campus, the school swim team and a summer volunteer violin teacher.
What inspires you?
I come from a proud Mexican-American family where hard work is rewarded and success is shared. My family matters most to me because they have provided me with the platform to realize my full potential through their sacrifices, and have instilled in me the importance of making an impact in the lives of others. My father came to California at the age of 18. After many years and with little schooling, he established a successful business. His story inspires me to use education as a launching pad to aim high.
What is your dream career?
Through my courses in biology, physics and calculus, I have been intrigued to learn about the world before us. I joined my high school robotics team where I was able to use software and hardware engineering to build a robot with my peers. Our hard work even earned us first place in the Tech Challenge at the Play Space competition in Santa Clara County this year.
During the summer of 2013, I joined 74 other students from across the country to participate in a rigorous engineering immersion program at MIT. This experience further confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in engineering.
What will you miss most from high school?
Over the past few years, I have formed many great memories at Ann Sobrato High School. I have also built many great friendships with my classmates. Next year, I will miss seeing these familiar faces every day. I will also miss the support from my teachers and counselors who have helped me along the way.
What is your advice to freshmen?
Try something new. No matter how different and weird it may be, there will always be someone there to be weird or different with you.
Jesus A. Calderon, 18, Central High School
What are your plans after high school?
After high school I plan on working until I start De Anza College to study astronomy.
What is your favorite high school memory?
My favorite high school memory was leaving Live Oak High School junior year, to enroll myself at Central High School.
What was your biggest challenge?
There are hardships for everyone. Despite going through many myself, I still managed to graduate on time.
What extracurriculars did you participate in?
Freshman year I dabbled in rugby, and I regret for not staying for the whole season.
What do you use for inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from independent artists that started their own companies from the ground up. Day by day the stress that comes from school, disappears as soon as the bass line from a song hits.
What is your dream career?
I always wanted to do music but reality showed me that music is a hobby. I want to study the stars and work on research projects while on my way to becoming an astrophysicist.
What is your favorite subject?
I always enjoyed English, how you can play with words and manipulate them.
What will you miss most from high school?
Not the food, that’s for sure. The whole experience from waking up to dragging my tired body to school and meeting all the random encounters that I have will live on in my memories.
What is your advice to freshmen?
All the friends you have right now won’t (always) be there, as harsh as it sounds. Don’t be distracted when the floor is wet, or you’ll slip. There are going to be a chosen few that you’re going to decide that are truly close. Watch them especially.
