Senior Interviews, Part 1

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Joseph Gemignani: California Baptist University
Emily Zelter: Chapman University
Jacqueline Cortez: Cañada College
Sarah Hosokawa: Brown University

Joseph Gemignani: California Baptist University

What is California Baptist University like?
It’s a small private Christian college in Riverside. After school I want to become a math teacher. My music pastor went there, and I visited the school and it was small and comfortable, and it has a good math program. The have teaching credentials, and they have a lot of places to sponsor teaching opportunities at other schools, and I might come back here to teach.

What profession do you plan on pursuing after school?
I want to become a math teacher because I like math and working with kids. Being good at math, I’ve found I could actually help people. People think math is hard, but it’s not when you actually look at it.

What was the process of finding this school like, and how did you decide it was the right school?
I already knew about the school before because my music pastor went there. I went to a college fair, a private Christian college fair, state college fair, and I visited other college fairs. I went to the school with my pastor, and looked at a couple other schools, and this school just felt comfortable and it just fit.

What does it mean that this is a Christian school?
They base everything not just on the education process, but it’s also faith based. It teaches you how to live out your faith in the real-world, and how to apply your faith to life.

How is the social aspect of the school?
Because it’s a smaller school, I’ll know more people. Dorms for freshman are in the Smith hall, and the people in the hallways are your group. Once a week, they’ll do something together like bible study, party or go bowling. In the 1st week, the freshmen go early on a trip with their group to start the social process and to make friends.

Emily Zelter: Chapman University

What school will you be attending?
I am attending Chapman University in Orange County.

Why did you choose this school?
I chose Chapman because it’s small, but not too small. When I went to visit over spring break, I really liked the atmosphere because everyone was so enthusiastic and welcoming. In addition, I really liked that I could receive a personable education experience, meaning I could get a lot more personal attention from professors as compared to a UC or other state school.

What will you be studying at Chapman?
As of right now, I want to pursue a double major in Business Administration and Psychology. But I also have a head for statistics, so maybe something with that as well.

What are you most looking forward to at college?
Well, for one thing I am currently taking AP Statistics and Ms. Gould’s passion for it kind of rubbed off on me. As for the Business and Psychology I was influenced by my mother who studied both of those fields in college.

What are you most looking forward to at college?
The thing I am looking forward to most in college is the ability to study what I want and have a wider selection of courses to choose from. Also, I am looking forward to meeting new people and strengthening my independence.

What does your course schedule look like?
I haven’t registered for classes yet, but I will most likely be taking five classes since I plan to double major.

How did you narrow down your college search?
To be honest, I really didn’t narrow down my college search. I applied to a ton of schools. However, that being said, I chose schools with strong business programs.

How have you changed since you started high school?
I think I have become so much more independent, and A LOT more outgoing. Also, I have learned to do the unexpected despite my physical disability.

Can you describe your most memorable experience at Aragon?
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I would have to say participating in The Producers as the Judge, my Junior Year. Specifically, taking a bow and hearing the applause. This has stuck with me because I realized that even though I don’t walk with the grace and poise of a model, I have the courage to put myself in front of an audience of 200+ people and not be self conscious about my appearance.

What will you most miss about Aragon?
My friends and the musicals!

How do you plan on keeping in touch with friends/family?
Through Facebook and other social media like Skype.

What lessons from AHS will you take with you?
The lesson I will take is that anything is possible and just do it even if you’re fearful.

How are you feeling about going off to college?
I am really excited, but also a bit nervous.

What are your plans for the future?
As for future plans, I just want to get through college first then maybe grad school.

Any advice for incoming seniors?
First semester is really hectic with all the college apps, but just remember not to get caught up in the competition. You will end up where you’re supposed to in the end. Enjoy the year, because it goes by in the blink of an eye.

Jacqueline Cortez – Cañada College

Why did you decide to attend Canada College?
I decided to attend Canada College because I wasn’t ready to leave home and embark the solo life yet. I felt like the transition from high school to a 4 year university would be overwhelming. Canada seems like a fun and friendly environment.

What other colleges were you considering before deciding on Canada?
Before going to Canada, I was deciding to go to San Francisco State.

What do you plan on doing after community college?
After Canada, I plan to transfer to one of the UC’s. Either Berkeley, Santa Cruz, or San Diego. I haven’t made up my mind yet.

How has Aragon helped you in the college application process?
Through Aragon’s AVID program, the college application process was much easier than if I had done it alone. Having our AVID teacher, Ms. Elenz-Martin, was a tremendous help.

What do you look forward to the most in the future?
In the future, I look forward to becoming more independent and ready to live my life with all that I have learned through out my life.

What will you remember the most about Aragon?
What I will remember the most about Aragon will be the fun activities like Prom, the various clubs, and definitely the Senior Grad Night.

Do you have any advice for the underclassmen at Aragon?
The advice I would give to the underclassmen would be, to fit in a little “self-time” in between one’s busy schedule. Life isn’t all business. Despite all the stress, taking time to relax and have fun is rewarding in the long-run.

Is there anything else you want to mention?
Take life as it comes. Go class of 2011!!!!!

Sarah Hosokawa: Brown University

Why did you choose Brown University?
I chose to go to Brown for a number of different reasons, but one of them is the completely new and different experience I’ll have there. My college is in Providence, Rhode Island, which will be a very different environment from San Mateo- and I am looking forward to it! I also decided to go to Brown because it offers the kind of education I want, which is known to be stellar.

What will you be studying?
I am going in as undeclared, but I am interested in psychology, education, sociology, and cognitive science. I also really like history and foreign languages, so I’ll have a tough time deciding exactly what I want to study!

How has Aragon influenced your desire to study this? Or what exactly influenced you to study this? Did you always know you wanted to do this?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in what our thought processes are like and why we behave and interact with each other the way we do. I took an introductory psychology class last summer that strengthened my interest in psychology. I’m also very interested in issues that relate to education.

What are you most looking forward to at college?
The thing I’m most looking forward to is meeting new people and making new friends! I also can’t wait to take the interesting classes that they offer at Brown.

What does your course schedule look like?
Brown has an open curriculum, which basically means that there are no GE (general education) or core requirements that students have to fulfill. It allows for a lot more freedom and flexibility in choosing which classes to take, which means that in theory, I can take classes that really interest me without being forced to take classes that don’t!

How did you narrow down your college search?
I had a really tough time deciding which school to go to, but I ultimately opted for the school that will give me something really different from what I’m used to. It’ll be a challenge, but I’m very excited about it.

How do you think you’ve changed since you began high school?
I’ve definitely learned a lot during my four years, both in and out of the classroom. I’ve gained lots of knowledge from textbooks and such, but I’ve also learned lots of valuable life lessons from the people I’ve met, interacted with, and befriended.

Can you describe your most memorable experience at Aragon?
It’s impossible to put a finger on just one single experience, but I’ll definitely remember all my years in music, as well as spending time with my friends every day.

What will you miss most about Aragon?
I will miss the great people I’ve met throughout my four years at Aragon. I’ll miss my friends, who have brought a smile to my face and stuck by my side every day. I will also miss the great teachers and grown-ups who supported me the whole way.

How will you keep in touch with friends/family?
I know I’ll miss my family and friends a lot, so I plan on keeping frequent contact with them! I think video chatting and Facebook will be invaluable tools for that. We are lucky to live in an age where we can use great technology. I will also have a few other friends that will be on the East Coast, who I hope to visit when time allows!

How are you feeling about going off to college?
I’ll admit that I am very, very nervous about the challenges I’ll face, but I’m also very, very excited at the same time.

What are your plans for the future?
That’s probably the most difficult question that anyone could ask me right now! Currently, my only plans are to work hard and hopefully be an independent, confident, and happy person.

Any advice for incoming seniors?
Manage your time wisely (that goes for all grade levels). Don’t catch senioritis. But most importantly, enjoy your last year of high school, because it will fly by!