No matter how you look at it, high school is about developing yourself. That’s a simple reality… right?
Entering high school as a pre-pubescent small boy or girl can be intimidating to say the least. From navigating the zoo that they call Mira Costa to being pushed around in the halls by senior men who look to be in their mid-twenties with full-grown beards, entering Costa is a complete atmosphere change in itself. I knew coming into this massive school that I wanted to make a mark on my class— and even more importantly, myself.
As a freshman, I honestly had no clue what I was in for at MCHS. I was young and immature, but I always had my mind set on what would make me happy. I decided that I wanted to prioritize what mattered to me most— which, at the time, was maintaining grades that made me proud of myself and developing relationships with my friends. I was both young and reckless, though I thought I could take on the world. I knew that I wanted to GET INVOLVED in just about everything that I could. That was the main benefit for me to attend a school like Mira Costa— opportunity was essentially endless. I found myself wanting to get involved in sports, and somehow landed myself a spot on the Costa J/V track and field team.
Being not-the-most athletic kid at Costa, I looked to joining hurdles for more than just the athletic competition. It was both a way to feel like a part of a smaller family and an outlet for me. I set goals for myself (something that truly got me through high school), and ultimately was happy with my own efforts.
Somewhere in the middle of my high school tenure, I started getting caught up with the so called “college application process.” College apps were marketed by just about every single adult I knew, and I began to feel like my life had become enveloped within this college mystery.
To be brutally honest, if you were to ask me where I would be attending college sometime during the last few years, I would have little to no idea. When deadlines approached and college applications became a bit more serious, I thought I had somewhat of an idea for what I wanted. I KNEW that I wanted to make myself both happy and proud with my university. I KNEW that subject matter and majors were easily the most important criteria for me. I KNEW that I needed to end up in a school that would be equally happy to have me as I would be to have them.
Little did I know, I would not end up at the East Coast Ivy League. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to KEEP YOUR DOORS OPEN. Honestly, I would never have thought that I would be staying so close to home… but that’s the trade off that was necessary for me to study the subject of my dreams! And I seriously could not be happier!
Being true to myself is what has gotten me to place that I am today. I have been extremely lucky to find one of my passions over the past few years— traveling the world. After my peer and I launched a nonprofit, The Building Class, I made it my journey to fly to Kenya and make connections with the ones who are directly benefiting from our efforts.
My final words of advice have to do with senior year. For me, this year has been one of my absolute favorites. Senior year is definitely different in the sense that people gravitate towards their true friends and their priorities really show. What has made senior year so amazing for me is that I have continued with what I have laid the foundation for over the past three years. DO NOT GIVE UP on what you have worked so hard for— that’s a complete waste. There is no reason to stop doing what you have been so truly passionate for the past years. Keep up the hard work and at the end of the day…. MAKE YOURSELF PROUD.
