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Name: Andrew Cruz
Age: 17
High School: South High School
GPA: 4.28
Community and School Involvement: ASB, swim, cross country, band, church, Leo’s Club
College: University of California Irvine
Major: Biological Sciences

Q: Who has been your inspiration academically and why?
A: “I have been academically inspired by all of my teachers; however, I can honestly say that Mrs. Kim Woolf has been a true inspiration to me during my stay at South High. She has devoted all of her time in order to see her students excel and succeed in life. Mrs. Woolf has taught me that in order to get what I want, I have to work for it. I can remember a particular day when she pulled me aside and made sure that I was making my academics a priority over the various extracurricular activities that I’m involved in.”
 
Q: What has been one of your most memorable high school moments?
A: “In high school, I have had many fun and great times with those who are close to me. I can’t choose a particular moment in time, so I’m going to say that all of the field trips that I have gone on in high school. Being with my friends when we go to the beach after college campus tours or cross country meets that are out of town has certainly been memorable to me. I will forever remember the small inside jokes that my friends and I have.”

Q: What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
A: “In five years, I see myself enjoying the life of a college student. I would have already received my BS in the field of biological sciences, and I am on my way toward medical school. Hopefully, with much practice and dedication, I can ‘walk’ onto the UCI swim team. Participating in sports allows many opportunities to receive scholarships; therefore, being on the team in college can reduce the financial burden of my education.”
 
Q: And 10 years from now?
A: “Although it is hard to imagine myself in 10 years, I see myself at the completion of the education needed to become a doctor. I hope to receive an internship with a hospital and gain the hands-on experience needed to become successful in my profession.”
 
Q: How do you plan to duplicate your success in high school at the university level?
A: “Dedication and commitment are key factors to how I hope to achieve the most out of my education in Irvine. I have trained myself to be involved with many activities in school, so I know the responsibility needed to become an adult. I have taken to heart something that my swim coach Leslie Jackson has said time and time again, ‘It is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.’ Although it was said for swimming, I have applied this to all aspects in my life. I believe that if I go into the university with a positive mindset, I can be as, if not more, successful as I am in high school.”
 

Name: Estephanie Garcia
Age: 18
High School: Arvin High School
GPA: 4.3
Community and School Involvement: Chamber Choir President, Leo’s Club, French Club, Drama Club, Academic Decathlon, honors/AP classes
College: New York University in Florence, Italy
Major: International Affairs
Other: Minor in Drama

Q: Who has been your inspiration academically and why?
A: “My inspiration academically has always come from my family, friends, and educators. I owe them all for having always believed in me.”

Q: What has been one of your most memorable high school moments?
A: “My most memorable high school moment was placing fourth, along with all the members on the constitution team, at the state competition.”

Q: What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
A: “Five years from now I envision my life to be full of job opportunities and plans for traveling around the world.”

Q:  And 10 years from now?
A: “I expect to come back to Arvin High for my class reunion. The people that I have spent the last four years with will always hold a special place in my heart. So I expect to see them all in 10 years.”

Q: How do you plan to duplicate your success in high school at the university level?
A: “I will never be afraid to ask for help and I will be sure to use all the resources that are available to me. Participation and passion will guide my success during my years at the university level.”