Students in the Spotlight

Melesio Arambula

Born on May 17, 1988, I come from a very large family of thirteen people. Often referred to as “Mel,” I have always had an innate instinct of curiosity for the mechanics and functions of the things that revolve around me. Because of this, Mel has grown to have a passion for the fields of mathematics and science. One of the most significant goals that I desire to obtain in the future is to earn a degree in the aeronautical and mechanical fields of engineering. One of my many passions is to build and repair devices in order to learn how they operate, which satisfies my curiosity. I also like to learn and play songs on my acoustic guitar in order to stimulate and relax my mind and body. Maybe the most valuable characteristic that I possess is my initiative to learn new processes and gain new and many skills in different fields. While attending the University of Southern California, I will attempt to hone my craftsmanship skills to my maximum potential in order to contribute to our society’s needs.


Leanne Ayan

Two of the most outstanding and life changing experiences in my life that have molded me into the person that I have become are the unfortunate battles both of my parents fought with terminal illnesses. My mother contracted Hepatitis C and needed a transplant by the time I was fourteen, and my father was diagnosed with cancer when I was sixteen. Having personally experienced the happiness and gratitude for the redemption of my mother and the indescribable pain of the loss of my father has transformed my outlook and aspirations in my life. Seeing the limitations and capabilities of medicine has compelled me to use my experience and apply it toward my goal of becoming a physician so that I may treat patients and ultimately support them through their physical and mental recovery. I was placed in the position where I was no longer a child, but an independent adult who had to care for her parents. Yet instead of allowing the pain to destroy me, I am motivated to help the terminally ill and help their loved ones through the challenges and struggles that they may endure. I know that the emotional pain is just as deadly as the disease, and I wish to also counsel and ease the pain for the children and relatives of the patient to the best of my abilities. Through these unfortunate events, I have found my true passion in life: saving all, because everyone deserves a fighting chance at life, and I wish to ensure that.


Alexandra Braun

I am currently a senior at Santa Ana High, and hope to attend the University of California San Diego this fall, where I will study marine biology and work toward becoming a veterinarian for aquatic animals, which has been a lifelong dream. I have always strived to succeed in school so that it would be possible for me to go straight to a four-year university. As well as being a very dedicated student, I have been involved in extracurricular activities throughout high school. I am a freshman mentor at Santa Ana, belong to the Surf Club, and am the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club. Always an active and energetic young lady, I am part of the varsity water polo and track & field teams, both of which I am very passionate about. It is a goal of mine to keep playing water polo after high school, and possibly become part of UC San Diego’s athletics program. Overall, the past four years have been a busy but amazing experience for me, and I hope that the next step in life will be just as enlightening as my years at Santa Ana High.


Noemi De La Torre

I’m seventeen years old and I attend Santa Ana High. I’m the oldest of two, and I will be the first in my family to attend a university. At Santa Ana High, I have been a member of the Bible Studies Club, the Ballet Folklorico and the California Scholarship Federation for four years. I help out in my church’s AWANA Club, where we teach children about the Lord. Next fall, I will attend the University of California, Los Angeles and I will be majoring in chemistry. Eventually I want to go into pharmaceutical chemistry and be able to research and develop new treatments that will help people with terminal illnesses lead a better life.


Donna Lek

I am the oldest of three children in my family, and the first generation to attend college. Being the first in my family to be going to college motivates me to work harder, to achieve good grades and be a good role model for my younger brothers to look up to. During the past four years of high school, I engaged myself in many challenging advanced-placement and honors courses. At the same time, I try to get involved in as many activities in school as possible. I am involved in many clubs and extracurricular activities such as Key Club and Academic Decathlon. After high school, I am planning to attend the University of California, Davis. Ever since my freshmen year, I have always wanted to become a biochemist in the future and conduct research about cells in animals and plants. My goal in life is to become a successful biochemist professor teaching at a university.


Byanka Mexia

I currently attend Century High School. I live with my mom, my eight-year-old brother, and eleven-year-old sister. I currently hold a GPA of 4.287. Achieving this was not a walk in the park; it was long hours of work, dedication and commitment. I am involved in cross-country, soccer, track and field, all in which I have qualified for CIF. I am also in the Model United Nations program in which worldwide issues are debated and tried to be solved. I hope to attend UC Berkeley with a major in engineering. It’s expensive, but I know that I will come up with the sum to pay for it, and this scholarship is a start.


Anamaria Munoz

I am currently attending Cesar Chavez High School. The fact that I am a teen parent is central to who I am. Being a teen parent has given me a lot of leadership skills, the most important of which is being highly organized. The demands of feeding my daughter, bathing her, and putting her to sleep at specified times, on top of completing my schoolwork, have taught me to plan and organize, two essential skills for a leader. Another essential leadership skill is commitment. I am committed to improving my community. I’m volunteering at Esqueda Elementary School on a yearlong commitment to help kindergartners with what they need. I plan to go to Santa Ana College and major in business with an emphasis in marketing. I know that not only will I benefit from going to college, but my family and my community will benefit as well.


Breonna Carrera

I am currently attending my sixth and final year at Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA). Through OCHSA’s commercial dance department, I have been able to study and train in various forms of dance, and practice the art of performance on a daily basis. My favorite aspect about dance is the feeling you get when you are on stage. It truly is a sensation beyond description. Dance is a path that has always kept me “center stage,” and a passion that will stay with me forever. Dance, education, and my family are the three things I cherish most, and they all have helped shape me into the person I am today. Next year, I plan on attending a four-year university where I can further my education and prepare for my future. I have yet to decide on a major, but my love for writing, performing, and working with people has me interested in a career in the communications field. No matter what my future holds, I know I can succeed in my endeavors by putting education first, working diligently and dedicating myself toward my goals. This will allow my dreams to become a reality.


Bonier Avila

Growing up, I knew I wanted to be successful, but I never really thought how I was going to become so. Every day I saw my mother come home exhausted from work. My father? I only saw him in the morning before I went to school. They were hard workers and stressed the necessity of working hard to excel in life. I wanted to be like them, but I was going to work harder to reach the success I desired. During my sophomore year, I decided that school was unnecessary, school was needless in my mind. I told my brother that I wanted to drop out. He gave me the best advice that anyone could have given me at the time. He told me that without an education, people could never win “in the game of life.” He advised me not to put my mind to waste, to use it to become the person I wanted to become. After hearing his words, I reminisced about my parents’ life and the struggles they went through without an education, and my sisters and their decisions to not continue studies after high school. I realized that my brother was right. Staying in school and getting the most education possible would bring me the success that I wanted in life. Due to his words and the support and help from my family, teachers and counselors, I’ am looking forward to college and becoming a successful scholar.


Dany Cortez

Coming from an immigrant family and being Mexican-American, one isn’t expected to succeed in school. Going on to high school, one didn’t know what to expect. Dropping out of high school was very common in my school and my culture. It was more likely for a Latino to drop out of school rather than to graduate. My parents stressed out a lot for me to do well in school and pursue my education by graduating high school and going to college. They didn’t want me to end up like them, working day in and day out, barely having enough to feed our family and working paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. I didn’t want to be like them, nor was I going to be like them. I saw how hard my parents would work, and that encouraged me to work harder in school and do well in my studies. I want to make my parents proud for all the hard work that they have done for me by graduating high school and going on to a four-year university and receiving my bachelor’s in civil engineering.


David Debeneditto

My childhood has been an inspiration for my success today. My parents died when I was an infant and I was placed in a foster home, separated from my brothers and sisters. I did not do well in school. It was hard for me because I didn’t have any role models to look up to. When I turned 11, my sister gained custody of me and my life took a turn. She knew how bad my childhood had been, but knew I could change that. My sister forced me to make better decisions, which ultimately led to my success. I now participate in three varsity sports and have joined several clubs. I had the honor to represent my high school at the 2005 Boys’ State, which has helped develop my leadership skills. I hope to attend the University of California, Berkeley. There, I plan to receive my masters degree in architectural engineering. I also hope to intern with professional architectural engineers to gain the confidence needed to be a great engineer. I look forward to a promising future.


Olga Martinez

I was born May 19, 1988 in Orange. My mother and father are Guillermo and Olga Martinez, and I have lived in California all my life. I currently attend Valley High School and hold the position of number one in my senior class. I am involved in several organizations at school, such as the National Honor Society, MESA club and also the California Scholastic Federation. I play basketball, run track, kick box and do gymnastics. I have performed several hours of community service at The Discovery Science Museum and at a local elementary school tutoring children. I also enjoy playing guitar in my spare time. My true desire is to play basketball in college and attend Duke or Yale University. I plan to major in biology and minor in anatomy; I plan to become a surgeon or be associated in business. In life, all I want to truly do is like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “...not to go where the path may lead; but go instead where there is not path and leave a trail.”


Johnson Co

Raised in the city of Santa Ana with three older siblings in an immigrant family, I feel fortunate growing up in my current living situation and being given the resources that shaped me into the kind of person I am today. Throughout my life, academics have been my strength. Interested in the idea of learning and being successful in class, I have become a dedicated student who is motivated by curiosity and dedication. I have proven, especially to myself, that devotion to strong academics is well worth the effort. Being in southern California for all of my life, the next step is to leave my comfort zone and venture into the outside world to experience what life has to offer. I hope to graduate from a prodigious university, and my future plans include traveling to different parts of the world and visiting far-off places—destinations I have read only about and dreamed of discovering. I have always been willing to learn more about the mysteries of the world, and so exploration in new areas is my new goal. The motto I live by is, “Time will tell what ends up happening in the future,” and whether it brings welcomed surprises or not, I look forward to seeing what life has to offer me.


Raul Duran

I am 18 years old and I attend Saddleback High. My previous schools consist of Hoover Elementary, as well as Villa and MacArthur Fundamental. I am currently a member of our student body counsel and have participated in clubs that include: CSF, MESA, Red Cross Club, Key Club, EAOP and the Future Leaders of America. I was selected as the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador my sophomore year. Sports have been a vast part of my life and therefore I have played baseball since I was 5 years old. In addition to baseball, I was also a wide receiver and defensive back for my school. Some of the honors I have been able to obtain include Student of the Month, Scholar Athlete, All League Awards, Who’s Who among American High School Students and Excellence in Foreign Language. Regarding my future, I plan to study either psychology or sports medicine. As for college, I wish to attend UCLA or UCSB. Where I go to school will determine whether I live at home or move out. I would not be where I am without the support and motivation my parents have allotted throughout my studies. Furthermore, it is only fair to thank all my teachers for the knowledge and advice they have issued, not only in school but primarily in my life.


Rafael Gallardo

Ever since I began school at the age of four, I have been a dedicated student who has always been committed to learning. I was identified as a gifted learner by the GATE program when I was in second grade, and since then, most of my classes have been honors or advanced. Next year I hope to attend University of California, Irvine, where I plan to major in civil/electrical engineering. My situation at home has really motivated me to be successful, and I will be one of the first in my family to attend a university. I am just grateful for the support I have received from my family, friends, teachers, but above all, God. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without any of them.


Ryan Goins

I am a senior at Saddleback High. We all are what events around us have forced us to become. Throughout my life, I have dealt with issues from the past, and they have shaped me into a better person. My parents were drug addicts who let me down every time I really needed them. I raised my siblings. I am continually plagued by these events of drugs, guns, and abuse. I am no longer living at home, and now juggle three AP classes along with a part-time job and theatre. I plan to attend college and double major in business and theatre. Acting has become an emotional outlet for me, and I love it. Due to budget cuts, drama class was cut, so I started a club on campus. We just finished one of the best productions this school has ever seen. I have succeeded where many fail, due to my determination. Driven by demons from the past, I strive to be better then my parents. I work hard so that my future children will not suffer my fate. I am eternally grateful for all the people in my life who have made this possible.


Priscilla Gonzalez

I am a senior at Saddleback High School. I was born in Santa Ana and raised by my mother, Arcelia Gonzalez. My mother motivated me to take my education seriously from a very young age. She took me and my sisters to every school meeting and college seminar she knew about. Her effort paid off. Both of my sisters went to college, and one just began law school. As for myself, I have been very involved since junior high. I have maintained good grades while serving the community and managing a busy schedule. This fall, I plan to attend a four-year university where I will study political science. It has always been important for me to help others and to stand up for those who do not have a voice. Whether I become a politician or political journalist, my life goal is to inform the public and speak out when someone or some group is being treated unjustly.


Francisco Guereca

Life is full of many opportunities and wonderful experiences that we get to live through. I am a senior at Saddleback High. I grew up with my mother and my two brothers, because my father passed away when I was four. We have struggled economically, because my mom injured her shoulder about four years ago, and we have done our best to get through. As I started school, I did not realize what good it was making until I started high school. I have decided to make school my foundation that will lead me to a greater future. Now I am working part-time at a law firm where I am developing many skills necessary in the business world. I am involved in a couple of clubs and in a soccer team to learn skills such as teamwork and leadership as well as careers. With much needed help, I know that school is the way that will lead me to a future that I would enjoy. Being the first generation in my family to have the opportunity to attend college gives me the strength to show my younger brother that it is possible to strive for a career or a profession. I hope to attend college and study civil engineering and make myself an engineer. I plan to go to a four-year university and work to make something of myself and to help out my community.


Beatriz Hernandez

A cry of a newborn is heard throughout the hospital corridors of Riverside General Hospital. To many, it is merely the beginning of another life, but to my parents, it is the beginning of a new journey—a journey that would help me discover who I am and what my mission in life is. In this journey, I would realize that life is a difficult place in which a person must be strong and have faith in order to overcome all obstacles and succeed. I come from a low-income family, and my parents are always by my side, protecting me and guiding me in every possible way. They do not have a lot of money, but their generosity and selflessness suffice. My parents molded my character through my culture, religion, and the arts. Dance and music are my forms of expression, my stress relievers, and my life. My culture and religion form the foundation of my life by giving me morals to guide me. Life as I knew it ceased to exist when I my pediatrician diagnosed me with asthma. My parents and pediatrician consoled me, and advised me to volunteer in a hospital so that I could learn to live with my asthma. Volunteering in a hospital helped me learn to live with asthma and helped me realize that I wish to become a pediatric surgeon and devote my life to helping others, because that is my mission and what my heart desires.


Joseph Hernandez

I am a senior at Saddleback High. I am photo editor of the yearbook, senior class president, Renaissance president, and lighting technician for Tech Crew. All of my achievements would be pointless if it weren’t for the important role models in my life who gave me the inspiration and ambition to achieve my goals of becoming a better person. My idols are Maria Hernandez, my mother who was recently diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis, and my best friend who suffers from a mental disorder where she inflicts pain on herself for an outlet of stress. Not being able to cure them of their diseases and feeling debilitated by that flaw has driven me to incorporate my achievements and support from my role models into the confidence to move onto higher education. I want to become a doctor to free myself from the ties that bind me of not being able to help those in need, like my mother and my friend. A degree in psychology and a medical license are my ultimate goals, so that I will be able to help those in need, to teach them how to heal to prevent them from creating scars on their bodies and souls.


Kathy Julian

Raised in a blessed family of six and being the oldest of four children, I am currently a senior attending Saddleback High. For the past four years, I have worked hard and dedicated much effort to earn a high ranking in my graduating class. I have taken available honors and advanced placement courses offered at Saddleback, and achieved top scores to maintain an above-average grade point average. My plan after high school is to attend a four-year university, majoring in the medical field. My ultimate goal is to become a missionary doctor traveling to third-world countries in search of unfortunate individuals to assist. I was inspired by my father, a pastor who does missionary work. His occupation intrigued me to pursue a similar profession where I can offer back to the world with the abilities God has given me. Besides academic involvement, I am well rounded with extracurricular activities. I hold leadership roles as vice president in KEY Club, as well as secretary in the California Scholarship Foundation and the National Honor Society. I am a proud member of the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement organization and the Vietnamese Student Association. In addition, I have been involved in church activities all my life. These different groups have given me countless opportunities to serve my community through many volunteer projects, and given me memorable experiences.


Hugo Sierra

I am currently attending Saddleback High, where I rank top ten in my class. Being the first generation of a Mexican-American family has made me appreciate the motivation my parents have given me. I have been able to take advantage of educational opportunities my parents never had. In high school, I began to develop skills throughout many of the courses. I realized mathematics was my strong point. One of my main goals has been to be part of extracurricular activities. I am currently a member of National Honor Society, Renaissance, photographer of Yearbook, and treasurer of LULAC. Becoming part of these clubs has been a major force in my life, because it provided me with an opportunity to transform from a shy, reserved student to an outgoing, confident, and concerned individual. I recently tutored a high school student from Mater Dei High School and helped him with his mathematical skills. As a result of my persistence and strong passion for math, I intend to pursue a career in mathematics. I will be graduating and receiving my high school diploma in June, 2006. I am planning to attend Chapman University this fall where I will major in liberal studies. After receiving my bachelors degree and teaching credentials, I will become a math teacher in a public high school, where I will help young adults succeed in this complex subject. I believe in myself, and I believe that I will succeed in life.


Jeffrey Vuong

I attend Saddleback High, where I am ranked at the top of my class. I have a full class load, including several AP and honors classes, and also write for my school’s newspaper. I plan to spend his next four years pursuing an undergraduate degree in English, and then apply to law school to fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer. Not only do I excel academically, but I divide my extra time playing for my school’s varsity tennis team and volunteering to help my community through various organizations. Currently, I am president of both the Saddleback chapter of the California Scholarship Federation and the Vietnamese Student Association, and also the project chair of my school’s KEY Club. Along with these clubs, I have been a Boy Scout since I was eight, and am currently working on the rank of Eagle. Throughout my high school career, I have committed over 200 hours of my spare time volunteering through KEY Club and my Boy Scout Troop.


Edgar Rodriguez

I was raised in Santa Ana, in a wonderful family. As the firstborn child in my family, I must set an example for my younger brother and sister. I feel proud of being raised by such great parents. Although my family is not rich, we have much greater values which we uphold and a sense of righteousness. My family has done so much for me, and I feel like I must do my best to show their help will not be in vain. My future goals involve gaining more than just a high school diploma. I plan to attend a community college and then transfer to a university. I believe that gaining more knowledge is never a bad idea. Coming from a low-income family, the goals which I have set are not immediately achievable, but with persistence, I believe I can achieve them. With the help of scholarships such as the one I have received from the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, my goals should be attainable. I am grateful for the help which has been given, and am honored to be a Chamber of Commerce scholarship winner.


Brenda Ramirez

I have participated in Santa Ana High’s yearbook and journalism staffs. My junior year, I was the news editor for Santa Ana’s award-winning newspaper, “The Generator”. I have been a part of the California Scholarship Federation for the past three years, and am graduating as a seal bearer. As part of my community service, I have volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at Heninger Elementary. I am ranked in the top four percent of my senior class, and have qualified for the University of California ELC program. I enjoy traveling, and would like to visit Australia, Spain, and Venezuela in the future. I would like to attend USC or UCLA, and earn a degree in communication-law or become a high school counselor.


Luciano Rodriguez

I am the third person in my family to attend college, but the first to go to a four-year university. My family consists of my parents, an older brother, and a sister. My parents have been living in the United States since April of 1975, and have been able to provide for their family by working in multiple jobs. They raised me to be determined, honest, proactive, and caring, as evident in my academic record and interest in helping my peers in various subjects. I am currently captain of both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams, senior representative of the California Scholarship Federation, and vice-president of the bowling club. In addition, I am part of Freshmen Mentor Program, where I assist seven freshmen with their high school experience and their preparation for college. I volunteer at my school as a peer tutor for math, and I participate in school events to aid the community during the holidays. Through helping others, I have learned to care for my peers and for my community as a whole. Next year, I plan to attend University of California, Los Angeles to pursue a career in mechanical engineering so I can return to Santa Ana and aid the community.


Renato Vazquez

I am currently a senior at Santa Ana High. I am the oldest of three children, and the first person in my family to have plans to pursue a higher education. I am currently the Senior Section Editor for the yearbook, a member of the Freshman Mentor Program, and the CSF treasurer at my school. I am also ranked in the top ten students with regards to G.P.A. at Santa Ana High. I hope to attend the University of Southern California or Chapman University and get a degree in accounting. Through hard work and determination, I plan to make a reputation for myself in Southern California and become a successful businessman. The main reason why I try as hard as I do is so I can make my parents proud and show them that all their sacrifice paid off, to be a good role model for my siblings, and to have a very good future ahead of me.


Joshua Cortez

I am currently a senior at Mater Dei High School. First, I would like to give the biggest “thank you” to my parents for always supporting me and really pushing me to be the best that I can be. Without them, I wouldn’t even be able to walk on God’s green earth. I will live my life and go to the grave owing my parents, because I will never be able to repay them. They also got me into playing sports, which is by far my favorite thing to do. On my free time, I enjoy going out and hanging out with my friends. I am very competitive in all the things I do because I strive to be the best. I am hard-working and consistent, which is what I believe will get anybody far in the real world. I plan on receiving my bachelor’s degree (hopefully at USC!) at a fantastic four-year university, as I am on the path to hopefully becoming a successful civil engineer. I am grateful for being given the life I have and I wish to thank my parents, Jesse and Norma, and the Lord our Father for making my life possible. I would also like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for granting me a scholarship. I look forward to a fun and exciting future!


Brian Oliva

I am currently a senior at Valley High with a GPA of 4.2 on a weighted scale. I am ranked sixth in the entire class of 2006. There has been much for me to overcome in my lifetime, and my hard work has paid off as I keep on working hard every day. In school, I am involved in clubs including MESA Club, in which I am the activities director, Math Club, and the ACE Program which is for students who enjoy architecture of engineering. Each club is helping me be more responsible and preparing me for what comes next in my life. I try my best in class and do whatever I can do to be the best, and it has paid off. I get good grades and have almost all AP classes. Apart from being in competitive and college-level classes in school, I work in the afternoon daily for a law firm. I work directly after school and get to work, where I do file clerk duties such as filing, copies, mailing letters, arranging data into the computer system, and other duties. Also, I do community service whenever possible and I am involved in a Ballet Folklorico Renacimiento dance group that does traditional shows that include dances from all over Mexico. Practice is held twice a week, and whenever I have other community service to do, I do that as well. I am a dedicated student who looks forward to succeed and works very hard to get there.


Jeraldy Vega

I am a senior at Valley High, where I am actively involved in various clubs and sports. I am president of the National Honor Society and Math Club. Last year I was selected for Girls State, and this year I am captain of the girls varsity soccer team. I believe that everyone should take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available, because a good education will get you far in life, and a strong education will lay a solid foundation for your future. I am interested in mathematics and engineering. Something that keeps me motivated is my goal to be a good role model for my family and my friends; I want to inspire them to reach their fullest potential, and to persevere when they feel like giving up.


Xing Liu

I came to the United States two and a half years ago from China. Currently, I am a high school senior at Middle College High. During my study at MCHS, I had a unique educational opportunity, which empowered me to grow academically and socially. I enrolled in rigorous college courses such as calculus, chemistry, and physics at Santa Ana College to develop academic stamina. These courses challenged me to develop my higher-order thinking skills, and built a strong foundation to support my interest in the sciences. I intend to major in chemistry when I go to a university, and I hope to earn my bachelor’s degree in less than three years. After graduating from the university, I plan to go to medical school and earn an M.D. degree. My career goal after I finish my education is to become a general surgeon and open my own clinic to serve the people and community.


Priscilla Luviano

The greatest fortune of my life has been my parents, who have supported, motivated, and steered me in the right path. They will forever be the core of my motivation to do well in school and life. Because of them, I have had many incredible experiences. Since I was very young, I have always enjoyed singing. I have participated in events such as the Santa Ana “Children’s Christmas Day” and the Los Angeles Aerospace Corporation “Hispanic Heritage Month Event.” Through music, I have been able to share special moments with my family and learn unity, discipline, and hard work. Middle College High at Santa Ana College has been my greatest educational opportunity. Entering my sophomore year, I started taking high school and college courses. I have accumulated 36 college units, maintaining a 3.4 grade point average at my high school and a 3.7 at the college. I also play for Santa Ana College’s tennis team. After graduating from high school, I will attend a four-year university, study psychology with a minor in Chicano and Chicana studies. I plan to receive my masters in psychology and either pursue a Ph.D. in forensic psychology or apply to law school. I view education as a tool for endless possibilities. I will study and work hard, take advantage of the possibilities, and better myself and my community.


Marisol Castaneda

I am a senior at Century High School. I have been fortunate enough to grow up and receive my education in the great city of Santa Ana. My education is one of the greatest priorities in my life, and I will take this priority on to the University of California, Irvine. My goal after receiving my computer engineering degree is to establish a company that creates new and advanced computer software and programs for businesses. I have learned that throughout life, nothing will ever come easy, and the only way to be successful is to want it yourself. I have strived to be the best in everything I do and allow for little mistakes. I am aware that perfection is impossible; however, there is no harm in trying it, which will lead to a minimized chance of failure. I am thankful for the help and support I have received from my parents, friends, and school, which is why I will do nothing but succeed in any obstacle that comes my way. Soon, I will begin a new journey that will lead to lifetime of triumph.


Susie Flores

I’m Senior Class President for Century High. For the past 12 years of my life, I have matured into a dedicated, responsible and accomplished student who has nothing on her mind but future goals and strict priorities. I’m a well-rounded student who’s been involved in varsity softball, varsity volleyball, Model United Nations, United Student Body, Key Club, Talent Search, EAOP, Advanced Placement and honors courses while maintaining an overall G.P.A of a 3.9 and managing a job part time. I work hard in everything I do, and as a result I’ve received much recognition such as Honor Society, Student of the Month, Scholar Athlete, First Team All League and Honorable Mention. Next year I hope to be attending The University of California San Diego or San Diego State University and begin to work on my intended major, psychology. There are many people who have helped me throughout the past 12 years; however it’s been my self-motivation and drive that have gotten me to be what I am today.


Julissa Florido

I am currently a senior attending Century High. Academics have always played an important role in my life. With the support of my friends, teachers, and most importantly, my parents, I have been able to accomplish many of my goals, and I know that I am on the right path in my life. A big part of my life has been being involved in school activities. I have been a part of the Model United Nations program at Century for four years, and I am honored to have received the position of Secretary General for our conference this year. With this position and being co-captain on the water polo and swim teams, I have learned great leadership skills and how to work well with others. I want to pursue a career in medicine at the University of California in Irvine, and I have been volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) to help guide me and help me realize if this is the right path to my future. I have always been told that I can accomplish anything I want if I work hard and set my mind to it. Going to college, choosing a career and giving back to my community are definitely things I have set my mind to. I want to make everyone proud—my parents, my friends, but most importantly, myself.


Adilene Guerrero

I’m currently attending Century High. Throughout my life, my parents have shown and demonstrated how important school is. It is because of them that I strive to succeed in school and in life. While at Century, I’ve been offered many learning opportunities, all of which I have taken full advantage of. I participated in the Model United Nations, a program that has helped me in many ways, for four consecutive years. I have also participated in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Mentorship program (ACE) since my sophomore year. Through this program, I was able to explore the profession I plan to pursue. After graduation, I will be attending a four-year university where I plan to obtain a degree in civil engineering. I know that with hard work, I’ll be successful in all my endeavors.


Jeanette Garcia

I am currently a Senior at Santa Ana High. Education has been a big priority in my life as well as in my parents’. I have maintained my GPA as high as possible, and throughout high school I have also participated in various extracurricular activities. Since my freshman year I have been involved in the concert and marching band as well as in CSF. I have also participated in the Academic Talent Search, speech and yearbook. In these activities, I have held leadership positions such as section leader and drum major for the marching band, president of the speech team and editor in the yearbook. I have also devoted a lot of my time to my community to show my appreciation for everything it’s done for me. I have volunteered at our local soup kitchen and at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana during various occasions. At my high school, I volunteer as a tutor for students who need help in troubled areas. I plan to attend the University of Southern California next fall. I want to pursue a major in accounting in order to become a chief financial officer in the future.


Steve Heng

I currently attend Santa Ana High, where I am a club editor for the yearbook and a speech captain. I will be the first person in my family to attend a university. I hope my brother and sister will surpass me when their times come to decide on colleges and their career choices. I aspire to become a surgeon so I can save lives and expand society’s lifespan. Ever since the age of seven, I have always wanted to become a surgeon. What inspired me to make a difference is when I saw people my own age get pulled out of the rubble of the Oklahoma City Bombing. Ever since that incident, I have always wanted to help those in need and put a stop to unnecessary deaths. I cannot imagine a greater joy than seeing a person recovering and gaining enough strength to say “thank you.” For these two words, I am willing to overcome any obstacle to become a surgeon. As I pursue higher education at Harvard or Columbia University, I plan to major in pre-medicine and archeology. Besides learning how to heal, I feel it is also my duty to learn about humanity’s vast civilization, so I can link past and present together to become a better human being. As I pave a path to my goals, I continue to feel grateful for the individuals I have met. With their help, I have gained enough strength to move towards my goals.


Bryan Hernandez

Born and raised in the city of Santa Ana, I am currently a high-achieving student at Santa Ana High. I’m looking forward to graduating high school in June. Education has been a priority for me since I was a child. and I know that all my hard work will soon pay off. I am one of the five individuals that make up my family, and a role model as the oldest of my siblings. I am involved in school as Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook, president of the Outdoor Science Club, member of the California Scholarship Federation, and participant of the Upward Bound Program. I feel that being involved in extracurricular activities has made my high school experience more fulfilling. I plan to attend a university in the striving economies of Los Angeles or New York City, where I hope to learn about and experience the real business world. I will strive to pursue a degree in Business Administration from a prestigious university in which I will learn skills required to gain a career in the business field. I look forward to one day holding an executive position for a major corporation, and also dream of establishing a successful business of my own in the city of Santa Ana.


Noel Macias

I come from a family of five brothers. I am the fourth of those five children. I was born at Fountain Valley Hospital, seventeen years ago here in Orange County. Although I was born in Fountain Valley, I have been raised in Santa Ana all my life. My education has been through the Santa Ana Unified School District, and I am very proud to say that. With the encouragement of my family, teachers, and counselors, I have been able to accomplish what I am today. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers, cars, and how they work. I would take things apart to see how they were put together, but then I wouldn’t be able to put them back together again. I would get in a lot of trouble because of that. It was about eight months ago, with the help of my computer science teacher, that I was able to put together my first computer. It has been one of my biggest accomplishments yet. Now that I am in my senior year at Santa Ana High and have been accepted to several universities, I am looking forward to pursue my career in engineering. My goals and dreams are to become a mechanical or civil engineer, come back and serve in my community. I would like to encourage other students to follow their dreams and not to take no as an answer. It is not an easy road, but without the support of all the groups like the Chamber of Commerce, it wouldn’t be possible for many of us to achieve our goals.