To thine own self be true. Shakespeare’s adage holds true: success is something we each must define for ourselves based on our own unique gifts and how we imagine contributing them to the world. First we must begin to know ourselves, and school can provide just the environment to nurture this experience. Summerville provided a wonderful foundation for me to develop as a person and look toward the future not just with blind ambition, but with heart, with knowledge of my own gifts, and with role models of what it means to contribute to others impactfully.
Looking back at my time at Summerville, I have countless fond memories, especially those centering around the many friends and incredible people I met there. Firstly, Mr. Gibson introduced me to Connections Academy, and his enthusiasm for the arts and the vision of the school were alluring and ultimately resulted in me changing plans from attending Sonora High to Summerville in order to have the opportunity to be a part of Connections. I remember auditioning for choirs as a freshman and being so nervous to sing on my own in front of others. By the time I graduated, I not only felt comfortable singing solo, I actually savored it. As I look back at Summerville, I see how in combination, it prepared me for life beyond it intellectually, artistically, and athletically. In addition to this broad range of experiences, I felt at home at Summerville and as though I was valued and supported as a member of the community.
As far as athletics, I did varsity cross country, basketball, track, and tennis. I ran all four years with Coach Terry Miller for cross country and was team captain my senior year. Accomplishments included winning MLL league all four years, as well as winning the Sierra Invitational three times (one time setting a course record), the Flame Invitational twice, subsections, and running in the state meet three different years. The cross country team was like a family that looked out for each other and made me feel welcome in a school where I did not initially know very many people. Like many athletes, I got injured, which affected me continuing to compete (I had hoped to run in college and very much identified as a runner), but eventually recovered and have since gotten back into running, as well as mountain biking and skiing. I even spent a summer in college leading mountain biking trips for teenagers and got a few scars as proof! Furthermore, I have developed a deep curiosity for nutrition and health and did a year long program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia where I studied pre-medical classes as a preparation for numerous health fields. In determination to improve my own health, I have poured through research to understand biochemistry and physiology. I am hopeful that one day I can use some of this knowledge to help others who have endured similar hurdles in athletic and life pursuits.
As far as academics, I graduated high school with a 4.25 GPA. I was also the top placing student on the Academic Decathlon team for the year I did it. I took Spanish all four years (thank you, Mrs. Banks and Mrs. Dieste) and pushed myself to do AP Spanish my senior year even though I was only one of two students who was allowed to take it and had to read piles of Spanish books during the summer to earn a spot in this class. I’m glad I did as I felt it prepared me even more for a last minute addition of a Spanish major in college. Countless teachers gave me an excellent foundation in their disciplines – Mr. Atkins and Mrs. Shaw in English, Mr. Hohn and Mr. Bixler in the sciences, Mr. Krueger and the Degeneros in math are some that come to mind. Mr. Heldstab, Mr. Urqhart, and Mrs. Harford were each present and encouraged me in my college aspirations.
I was part of the Concert Choir for three years and Jazz@8 for one year. All throughout this time, I was able to accompany the choir on piano for some songs and had a blast collaborating with Mrs. Young to do this. For my senior project, I put on various performances at nursing homes, teaming with another student to play piano and sing lively music for the residents. Other arts classes I took included ballet, dance, band, art, and drama, each of which helped me develop creatively.
After graduating, I attended the University of Portland where I studied mathematics, secondary education, and Spanish. As a reprieve from my busy schedule, I learned to play guitar and have performed at various places singing and playing since then (including in Sonora!). I was able to study abroad two of the summers in Costa Rica and Spain and live with host families while studying intensive Spanish. Furthermore, I was involved in an archaeological dig in Spain, where I not only excavated 2000 year old human remains, but also conducted a research project with my professor. Throughout my undergrad, I presented at many conferences, including presenting a Spanish essay about Don Quijote in LA at an international conference. I overcame my fear of public speaking through my experience teaching, presenting, and working with international groups, and I survived mathematics classes despite the intellectual challenge.
Studying mathematics substantially changed my views in surprising ways. For instance, many people think that math is the most dry and factual discipline, lacking creativity, ruled by simplicity, rules, and facts. However, upon deeper investigation, it is revealed that math is this way because the opposite is the case in reality. Life is not linear; rather, it is changeable, chaotic in a perfectly ordered way, governed by principles that are often beyond our comprehension. We have developed tools that help us understand and make predictions and decisions concerning observed (and abstract) reality, but there remains so much beyond our comprehension. This lesson has helped me approach life in a similar way – taking in the facts but remaining curious about what each and every situation can teach me.
Summerville taught me to remain present to how fortunate I am in every moment. One thing that happens as I grow older is that time seems to pass more quickly and I can even be tempted to look at past events or times as the “good old days” and yearn to be back in them. However, I have begun to practice imagining myself in the future looking back at this present moment with sentimentality, as a way of forcing myself to cherish and find perfection in the present moment. Moving through life this way makes things flow and difficult situations easier to endure and even appreciate.
I am unbelievably humbled and honored to be part of this year’s Hall of Fame. Summerville was a pivotal shaping point in my life and helped inspire me to believe that I could do great things in the broader world. My achievements at Summerville made me proud but ultimately led me to believe that truly winning is following our intuition, our internal guidance, with integrity – which is a lifelong practice. Some of us are successful at the outset and some take longer to “marinate” and blossom in our own unique way, but no matter what, we are here for a reason and a purpose and it is important to remember that amidst the pressures of the world to prove ourselves in ways that may not truly fulfill us.
Although I graduated ten years ago, I am still in this process of defining what I will offer to the world in each season of life. Through my own failures and successes, I have learned that life is meant to be enjoyed, and while we can take great pride in our accomplishments, the true accomplishment is being healthy and vibrant in mind and body to live a long and eventful life that uplifts those around us. Every action we take, may we do so to the best of our abilities, with a positive attitude, and with all our heart, and with faith and trust, continue forward. Just as many of us in Tuolumne County have grown up climbing mountains, that same fortitude, consistency, and patience will inevitably lead to excellence and valuable influence on others.