Take note – it’s the time of year when diplomas are handed over and caps tossed.

Fresh, youthful perspectives will enter the “real world” soon enough. Equipped with strong academics and an intense desire to make a difference in others’ lives, this year’s Style Student Spotlight winners are truly exceptional in more ways than can be put to paper. Congratulations to our future!

Patrick Bergevin
Shenandoah High School

Tell us about yourself.

I am an 11th grader who is graduating a year early.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I play guitar and sing in a punk band. I’m going to be performing a few songs at my school’s graduation. My band also has a few shows coming up. I love to watch the San Jose Sharks and longboard. I received a Perfect Attendance Award last semester.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Graduating early.

What’s the hardest class you’ve taken, and what made it so challenging?

English – I’m not great at reading, so it’s difficult for me.

What’s one thing that not many people know about you?

I was in a longboarding crash and got a puncture wound that went down to the bone.  

What has been the most memorable event of your senior year?

When my band began recording our EP (Extended Play).

What are your plans after graduation?

I’m going to attend a music recording school.

Who is your role model?

My parents – they’ve helped me out so much over the years; without them I wouldn’t be in my current situation.

Describe your career aspirations.

I plan to become famous with my band and become a music producer.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I have always wanted to go to Paris, France. My uncle lives there and I really want to hang out with him.

Andrew Ainsworth
Shenandoah High School

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I enjoy playing video games and listening to music. I received a Star Student Award for my advisory class.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I built and funded my own computer for a school project. I had to work hard and do a fair amount of research to build everything and put it all together.

What’s the hardest class you’ve taken, and what made it so challenging?

Probability and statistics – there is a surprising amount of advanced math behind it, and it’s difficult to remember it all.

What’s one thing that not many people know about you?

My two cats have more control over my life than me.

What has been the most memorable event of your senior year?

Two weeks of summer camp at UC Berkeley.

What are your plans after graduation?

Go to college.

Who is your role model?

My father.

Describe your career aspirations.

To become a video game programmer/designer and have my own studio.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Japan.

Nathan Rossi
El Dorado High School

Tell us about yourself.

I am a kid full of energy, and I love lots of things. If I could choose one word to describe me it would be “different.” I dress weird, talk weird, and just like to be a kid. Almost every day of my life I’m running. “Run For Fun” is a saying on a shirt that I wear often. I like to live to that motto. I run for the fun of it and a little bit for the looks of it. I like having fun in everything I do, and love to constantly be outside. I like to longboard on my local bike trail; it is a great spot to shred. Lastly, I like to work hard in everything I do.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

For sports, I run cross country and track. I started out doing soccer, but I grew out of it. I’m also involved in the Ornithology Club, ASB Club, Interact, and Safe School Ambassadors. I love to go on nature walks (mostly in the mountains). I really like to go on backpacking trips as well; in addition, I crochet and sew my own beanies, sweatshirts and other similar items.  I received the Student Achievement Award for physical education at El Dorado.

What has been the most memorable event of your senior year?

I think it’s more of a feeling that I’ve gained through ASB. For rallies, I am the Master of Ceremonies and when I’m talking in front of my entire school and having a good time, I get a feeling of happiness unlike any other. I cannot describe the feeling that I get, but it really is satisfying to be a part of El Dorado.

Describe your career aspirations.

I would like to go somewhere into the medical field. Some careers that interest me are being a radiologist or an anesthesiologist.

Carlos Reyes-Ortiz
El Dorado High School

Tell us about yourself.

I am very determined at everything I do, in regards to my family, education and soccer. I set very high goals for myself and know that with time and determination I will make all of them come true.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I play soccer, football, and run track. I’m also involved in AVID and Blue Latte (a leadership and community service club). I was MVP and captain of the soccer team and received the English Language Learner Award in 2012.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Having the aptitude to achieve my goal of earning a high school diploma and then continuing on to a university; also, my ability to play soccer in college.

What’s the hardest class you’ve taken, and what made it so challenging?

World history – it was my first really difficult class, because of the amount of reading and new material that I had never been subjected to.

What’s one thing that not many people know about you?

I began speaking English five years ago. Before that, I didn’t know any English but now am very comfortable speaking – so much so that I am accused of never keeping quiet.

Who is your role model?

My mother.

What has been the most memorable event of your senior year?

Receiving a 4.0 GPA this past semester.

What are your plans after graduation?

Attend American River Community College and play on their soccer team.

Describe your career aspirations.

I would like to earn a master’s degree in architecture and build.

Aubree Thayer
Ponderosa High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m just a small-town girl who has lived in Cameron Park since the day I was born. I love my family, my friends, and love to laugh. I push myself to my full capacity, every single day.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I am currently a member of our school’s Mock Trial team, am a four-year member of CSF, have been in student council for four years, and was a member of the swim team my freshman and sophomore years. My hobbies include painting, listening to music, reading, or simply sitting down and taking five minutes to breathe and relax. Any spare moment I can find to sit down, I take it! Throughout my years in high school, I have been elected as freshman class president, sophomore class president, ASB vice president, and currently ASB president. Outside of high school, I was appointed as the Ponderosa High School representative to the EDUHSD as well as the EDUHSD representative to the County Board of Education my junior year. This year, I was appointed as the Student Board Member of the EDUHSD.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be attending Arizona State University this fall. GO SUN DEVILS! I will major in criminology and then I plan to continue on to law school.

Describe your career aspirations.

I hope to become an attorney and eventually an AUSA, Assistant United States Attorney.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Spain. I went there my sophomore year and fell in love – the people and the atmosphere are to die for. I could easily live there for 10 years given the chance.

William Gardner
Union Mine High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a devoted Mormon and plan to serve a two-year mission when I turn 19. I enjoy drama, specifically acting, more than anything I have ever done, and perhaps anything I will ever do. I also enjoy playing tennis, ultimate Frisbee, and I love to watch football. I do dabble in piano, though I am no Mozart. My favorite character I’ve ever played has been Romeo from Romeo and Juliet. It was a lot of lines, but was definitely worth the effort.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I am in the Key Club and Leo Club (both service-oriented clubs) as well as the Drama Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club and Checkers Club. I played tennis for three years of high school, and received my varsity letter each of those three years. I have been in nine after-school plays, and they have definitely been the highlight of high school for me. I attend a before-school early-morning seminary class at 6:15 a.m., and it has definitely taught me the value of a few extra minutes in bed. I also sing in my church choir and enjoy tennis, ultimate Frisbee, theater, ping-pong, watching plays, piano, singing, camping, hiking, pickle ball, and eating. In addition to receiving seminary lettering for two years (hopefully three at the end of this year), I’ve also received three letterings in drama, the Faith in God Award and the Duty to God Award as a deacon and teacher. Also, I am literally one interview away (at the point of writing this) from receiving my Eagle Scout Award, the highest award in scouting.

Who is your role model?

I have many. The one whom I wish to recognize would be my drama teacher, Mr. Miller. His creativity as a director and designer has inspired me in all my characters as well as inspiring me in my set design and direction of this year’s winter production.

Describe your career aspirations.

Ideally, I would like to reach a point at which I can provide for myself (and hopefully a family) doing what I love the very most: acting in theatre. If I could make it to such stages like Broadway or the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, I would be very happy with myself.

Jimmer Young     
Ponderosa High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m intellectual with a sense of humor. Although I’m a hard worker, I hardly ever finish anything.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I’m involved in Youth and Government, speech and debate and am the Spanish Club president. My hobbies include ping-pong, bird watching, cats, filmmaking and piano. I’m a National Hispanic Merit Scholar, Commended National Merit Scholar finalist, and was awarded YMCA El Dorado Delegation’s “Rookie of the Year.”

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, because it’s unprecedented in my family.

What’s the hardest class you’ve taken, and what made it so challenging?

AP statistics – it’s different than traditional math because it involves more analysis; it’s witchcraft.

What’s one thing that not many people know about you?

I learned to speak Spanish before I learned how to speak English.

What has been the most memorable event of your senior year?

Youth and Government conference in Sacramento at the Capitol.

What are your plans after graduation?

Attend either UCLA or Santa Clara University.

Who is your role model?

Bill Gates – he’s a genius and humanitarian.

Describe your career aspirations.

I would like to major in entrepreneurship and eventually start my own company.

Chloe Hood
Union Mine High School

Tell us about yourself.

I was born on a bright, sunny day! I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I am a balanced and healthy person. I have lived in Placerville my whole life. My parents April and Jim, my brother Nick, and my Uncle Don are all a huge part of my life. I like to spend my time doing sports and athletics. I love being at the ocean, which is where our annual summer vacation takes place. I also have a passion for art and creating.

What are your school interests and involvements, hobbies, and awards/achievements?

I have played soccer four years of at Union Mine, three being on varsity. As well, I ran three years on the varsity cross country team, and I’ve been on a select soccer team through my high school career. Outside of school, I enjoy running, being outdoors (kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, exploring), art and sports. My awards/achievements include All League and “Most Improved Player” in soccer, Coach’s Award and “Harrier of the Year” for cross country, District Cup champions in select soccer, Foreign Language Department Award my sophomore year, and the Optimist Award.

What are your plans after graduation?

I have been accepted to UCLA, UCSB, Linfield, University of Oregon, Cal Poly, SFSU, UCI, and Saint Mary’s to study biology. Now I just have to choose!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I’ve wanted to travel to various places since I was little. The top countries would have to be Australia, Brazil, Africa and Italy. I’ve always wanted to travel and hope to study abroad during college!