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Style Magazine

6th Annual Student Spotlight

May 01, 2013 10:19AM ● By Style

Photos by Dante Fontana, © Style Media Group.

This month—in Style’s yearly posting of high-achieving (an understatement) high school seniors—we give you our picks for local teens who always set the pace, both in the classroom and on the playground. Get inspired by the words and accomplishments of these 2013 super-graduates.  

Annie Ellis

Rocklin High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’ve been dancing most of my life and am passionate about performing, choreographing and teaching others. My high school career has been heavily focused on academics and extracurricular activities. For the past two years, I’ve volunteered at Sutter Roseville Medical Center in the nursery/postpartum department and am the current junior auxiliary manager. This year will be my fourth mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico, with my youth group to partner with churches for children’s outreach.

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

I’ve been a member of the RHS dance team for three years (voted “Most Spirited”) and was chosen as team leader this year. I’m a dance class student director, yearbook editor, and have been a peer counselor for two years. I received the Distinguished Community Service Award for completing over 150 hours, and I am a member of California Scholarship Federation (CSF) and National Honor Society (NHS). As a part of the Christian Club, I led girls’ lunchtime bible study for two years. Lastly, I was chosen as a member of Honor Guard, the “top 20 all-around students” in the class of 2013 based on academics, school involvement, community service and extracurricular activities.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Two years ago, my friend, Emily, and I started our own dance studio called Angel Feet Dance. We taught various dance classes to 10 kids for the summer with a small showcase in August. Last summer, we expanded and taught 30 students and held a show at a local elementary school for an audience of more than 80 people.

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

In addition to being a dancer my whole life, I also played softball for eight years and was an umpire for Rocklin Girls Fastpitch Softball League.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’ve been accepted to Azusa Pacific University and received a full tuition Trustee Scholarship. I plan on pursuing a nursing major with a minor in international health, and I hope to study abroad in South Africa or China.

Describe your career aspirations.

I hope to get a degree in nursing and eventually use my medical training to participate in overseas missions. I would also like to gain experience working in the NICU.

 

Griffin Brunner

Griffin Brunner

Rocklin High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m pretty much your average guy: I love learning, connecting with people, creating innovative concepts, poetry, Star Wars and music.

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

I love singing; it’s a passion of mine. Every week I sing with the Barbershop chorus, the Voices of California. In addition, I run our school’s A Cappella Club. Since sophomore year, I’ve been a part of our Student Government’s technology committee. I love designing stuff using computer-aided drafting programs. Also, being a huge Star Wars geek, I love engaging in late-night lightsaber duels with my friends.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

This question always baffles me, as I don’t tend to think of things I’ve done as accomplishments to be proud of. That being said, one of my proudest moments was solving a Rubik’s cube. Knowing the logic behind the magic makes the experience all the more satisfying, plus it’s a surprisingly great way to make friends.

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

I write music and poetry. I continue to think everyone knows this, yet I find new people on a weekly basis that never would’ve guessed it to be true.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to go to college (probably a UC). There I will get my degree in mechanical engineering and hopefully make some more friendships that will last for years to come. In addition, if I haven’t already, I plan to try and self-publish a book of my poetry and release an album of my music.

Describe your career aspirations.

My dream job would be to work on  MythBusters. Given how unlikely that is, my sights are more realistically set on a career in the research and development field.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Probably Rome. Italy is such a beautiful country; you can almost feel the history in the air. It would be an amazing place to relax and write poetry.

Who is your role model?

My life is filled with role models. More people have guided me on this insane journey than I could ever possibly hope to remember. My father is probably my main role model; he’s shown me what it means to be a man and how to properly lead a family.

 

Jordan Maulino

Jordan Maulino

Roseville High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a Filipino 17-year-old high school senior with a 4.3 GPA. I like to wrestle, play guitar, sing and eat sushi. My favorite color is blue.

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

I’ve been a part of the AVID program all four years of high school and was in Key Club my freshman, sophomore and junior year, and also in Asian Culture Club during my junior year. I wrestled all four years of high school and this year decided to join the tennis team. I love singing and playing the guitar, ukulele and piano. Sometimes I bring my guitar or ukulele to school and jam with my friends. I even perform occasionally and make covers on YouTube (youtube.com/user/jawrdenmusic). I also recently joined the new a capella group at Roseville High School. Some awards I’ve received include Gold Academic Merit Awards my freshman and sophomore years and a Double Gold Academic Merit Award my junior year. I was also nominated for Boys’ State my junior year. This year I was on court for Roseville’s Centennial Homecoming.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m proud to say that I have been accepted into four private universities and have been offered merit-based scholarships to all of them. Getting into college is extremely competitive, and I’m glad that all of my hard work in high school has paid off.

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

A lot of people don’t know that aside from guitar, piano and ukulele, I can also play the piccolo and the snare drum. I played in a Catholic school marching band from grades K-8. Even though they’re not my main instruments anymore, I’m surprisingly still pretty good at both.

Who is your role model?

One of my role models is my older brother, Alexander. He attends UC Davis, is hardworking, and inspires to me work hard and push myself inside and outside of school.

Describe your career aspirations.

For the longest time I wanted to become a rock star. However, I realized I should probably aspire to obtain a job that was more stable. After a lot of contemplation, I decided I wanted to become an actuary, because I have really strong math skills and it is one of the top-ranked jobs in America. (Maybe I can still be a rock star on the side?)

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would go to Australia. I went there through the People to People Student Ambassadors of America program in middle school and had a blast; I didn’t want to leave when it was time to go home.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on attending one of the four private colleges to which I have already been accepted. There, I plan on obtaining a double major in economics and mathematics and perhaps a minor in music.

 

Anamarie Serrano

Anamarie Serrano

Roseville High School

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

I’ve done cross country and am currently doing swim. R.O.S.E club is my all-time favorite club, because I love connecting with the elderly. Outside of organized clubs and sports, I enjoy dancing, writing music and volunteering in my community, as well as just hanging out with my friends.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of my near accomplishment of high school. Given my past, it would have been a lot easier to give up and drop out or settle for grades good enough only for a community college.

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

Many people don’t know that I write music…a lot of music.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, it’s off to the real world and college. I plan on attending Fresno State University and getting a double major in psychology and forensics.

Who is your role model?

My role models are Mr. Bradley, a fun loving and generous man, and my brother, Frankie, who changed his life when it seemed impossible.  

Describe your career aspirations.

I dream of becoming a CSI agent—solving crimes out in the field and bringing justice to victims and their families.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would probably travel the entire world.

 

Bianca Aibuedefe

Bianca Aibuedefe

Oakmont High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m in the Oakmont Health Careers Academy and played basketball all four years of high school and soccer for eight years (one year in high school). My favorite subject is math, and I’m a straight A and B student. I have two younger brothers and am a leader who’s caring and helpful.

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

My school interest is basketball and my hobbies include singing and babysitting. I received the Junior Academic Merit Award and was a Capital Valley Conference (CVC) scholar athlete.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of getting into the Oakmont Health Careers Academy, because it has helped me figure out if being in the medical field as a doctor is what I want to do.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan after graduation is to go to a four-year college and get my bachelor’s degree in biology, then find a medical school where I can get the training I need to become an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Describe your career aspirations.

My goal is to become an obstetrician/gynecologist; it’s a career that has interested me since I was a child.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would go to France and Italy; they both seem like countries where the culture is great and the food is amazing.

 

Chrissy Camilleri

Chrissy Camilleri

Oakmont High School

Tell us about yourself.

My full name is Christina Marie Camilleri, but my friends like to call me “Chrissy-Cam.” I come from a huge Italian and Maltese family and am the youngest of my siblings by 13 years. I love to dance and bake cupcakes, and am a Sunday school teacher for second graders at Saint Rose Catholic Church. My family and I are huge San Francisco Giants fans and attend multiple games each year. I hope to have a strong and healthy family someday, and maybe even marry a baseball player!

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

I am a three-year member of the OHS dance team and have had the honor of being team captain for the last two years. I’m so grateful to be involved with such an amazing group of girls; dance team has been one of my favorite experiences at Oakmont. I’ve also been a member of our advanced dance class since my freshman year and served as student director for the past two years. Our dance program hosts two major productions each year; the Spring Dance Show will be the first week of May! Aside from dance, I am a part of Student Government. I was elected sophomore and senior class representative and help with publicity and planning dances for our school.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

My biggest accomplishment was finishing the fall semester of my senior year. In 2012, my family lost three family members in four short months. Because of this, I was gone from school for multiple days and began falling behind in my AP classes. With the help of my teachers, friends and family, I was able to push through the semester while still maintaining my 4.0 GPA. I see this as one of my greatest accomplishments, and I couldn’t have done it without the love and assistance I received.

What are your plans after graduation?
                     

I plan on continuing my education at either Saint Mary’s College of California or San Francisco State University. I hope to study nutrition and other health studies and continue my love for dance by joining a college dance or spirit team.

Describe your career aspirations.

My dream is to become a registered dietician and nutritionist. My goal is to educate our community, especially children, about healthy living. I have always been interested in nutrition and how certain foods can make the body stronger, so I think a career that involves this would be perfect for me.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Italy! I come from a big Italian family, so it would be so much fun to go see the beautiful country my great grandparents came from.

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

I can touch my tongue to my nose.

 

Brian Wei

Brian Wei

Granite Bay High School

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

I’m involved with our school’s tennis team and volunteer at the UC Davis MIND Institute. I also take on leadership roles in our Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and dotJP (my club for the appreciation of Japanese pop culture). Throughout high school, I have participated in regional, state and national FBLA conferences and obtained a collection of awards. My hobbies include fishkeeping, aquascaping, listening to music, building PCs, modifying Nerf guns, collecting and writing with fountain pens, and playing tennis. I was named as a semifinalist in the Siemens Competition, earned a Scientific Research Report Badge honor at the Intel Science Talent Search, and am a National AP Scholar as well.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?  

The first real science I’ve ever conducted—experiments that didn’t have predetermined outcomes—occurred this summer at the Garcia MRSEC program. I got to research and experiment on polymer composites, specifically PVC replacements. Under the guidance of Professor Rafailovich at SUNY Stony Brook, I developed experiments to isolate and test mechanical properties of polymer alternatives to PVC, a standard industrial material used almost everywhere. Ultimately, my experiments might lead to the industrial adoption of a material that doesn’t have many of the toxic and often carcinogenic properties of PVC. For the first time, I experienced science as a thrilling and tangible enterprise, not the abstract and dull processes of repeating someone else’s work from a textbook. As I melted, molded, stretched and burned 18 different polymers in the lab, I felt (and smelled) the visceral connection between science as abstract intellection, and science as practical application. Suddenly, the prospect of “changing the world,” even in some small way, no longer seemed grandiose and naive, but rather real, and baking in an industrial oven right in front of me.

What are your plans after graduation?

My first step is to select a four-year college that is the best suit for my educational and career objectives. I have already received a number of admissions, “likely letters,” “early writes” and full-ride merit scholarships so far. After the undergraduate studies, I plan to go to medical school.

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

I use fountain pens for almost all of my schoolwork.

 

Megan Barnett

Megan Barnett

Granite Bay High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a really driven, hardworking and happy senior girl. Though my grades are extremely important to me, my friends and family will always come first, and I love spending time with them. Whenever I’m not doing schoolwork or track, you’ll find me hanging out with friends, watching movies and having a great time.

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

My school involvements include being captain of varsity track and field, varsity cross country, co-president of the Helping Paws Animal Rescue Club, and a member of the STOP Trafficking of People Club. My hobbies are reading, watching scary movies with my friends, shopping and knitting.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of being an active track captain and an important member on the varsity track team while getting straight As. Sports and school are both extremely important and challenging to me, so I consider it a great achievement that I was able to effectively balance both.

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

I have a passion for video games and song covers by Landon Austin.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are to hopefully go to one of my top colleges (Yale, Boston University or Berkeley) and double major in astrophysics and biomedical engineering.

Who is your role model?

My role model is my mom; I hope to emulate her great and inspiring example in her success as a scientist, as a mom, and as a friend.

Describe your career aspirations.

I hope to become either a biomedical engineer specializing in vaccine research/development or an astrophysics scientist involved with missions to other planets (hopefully the first trip to Mars!).

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would go to Ireland to learn about my heritage and try and trace my family roots while experiencing the rich life and culture.

 

Stephanie Fastiggi

Stephanie Fastiggi

Woodcreek High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m the youngest of three sisters. I love animals and work at Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital as a veterinary assistant. I also play the piano, have done synchronized swimming for 11 years, am the ASB president, a water polo player, and a lector at my church.

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

I’ve been on my high school’s water polo team for all four years and was captain for two years; in addition, I was awarded MVP and the Coach’s Award. I’m also the secretary of our school’s STOP Trafficking of People Club, am a part of National Honor Society, and am very involved in our school’s Student Government.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of the work I’ve done for my school’s Student Government. I was the community service commissioner for two years; in this time, we planned multiple blood drives, raised $12,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, collected cans for the Salvation Army, and started many new events around campus. This year I became the ASB president. I love working with others to help make our school the best it can be. It’s been a great opportunity to grow as a leader and to help others grow as well.

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

Not many people know I’m a synchronized swimmer.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to attend Saint Mary’s College of California next fall.

Who is your role model?

My mom—she’s very hardworking, has taught me to always put my best into anything I do, is the most caring person I know, and is always there for those around her.

Describe your career aspirations.

I plan to become a nurse and would love to eventually be a trauma nurse. I also someday hope to have a family.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would love to travel on horseback through Europe.

 

Daryll Carlson

Daryll Carlson

Woodcreek High School

Tell us about yourself.

Since I’m a cheerleader, many people assume I follow the cheerleader stereotype. However, I’m quite the opposite. I love school and admit to being a bit of a nerd. I also like the outdoors, biking, kayaking, hiking and shooting guns. Like most teenage girls, I love being with my friends and just hanging out. Some other things I enjoy are reading, music, photography, traveling and community service. I’m very passionate about the environment, animals and being out in nature.

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

I’ve been a cheerleader for Woodcreek since my freshman year, serving as JV captain my sophomore year and varsity captain this year. I’m also a member of my school’s National Honor Society; this year my group is organizing a Literacy Fair for underprivileged students at a local elementary school. I have also been working with a college professor outside of school on a research project in the field of aquaponics. When I’m not doing these activities, I’m usually very busy with AP coursework.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of how well I’ve balanced so many responsibilities and activities throughout high school. When my schedule truly became difficult sophomore year, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up my grades in so many AP classes and participate in sports and activities. However, by balancing my responsibilities well and staying motivated, I’ve been able to participate in sports, clubs, community service, and still stay at the top of my class. I’m very proud of being well rounded in this way.  

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

Most people don’t know that I was actually named after my father and grandpa. I’m the third Daryll in my family, but the only female one. It’s something very unique about my family, because most American families don’t name daughters after their fathers!

Who is your role model?

My role model is my mother. She’s the most dedicated, hardworking person I know, and she always puts others before herself. My mother has always been there for me no matter how busy her schedule or how difficult her own problems are; for that, I look up to her greatly.     

Describe your career aspirations.

I would like to be a researcher in the area of environmental science. I’m very passionate about the environment and would love to be a part of some of the groundbreaking research and development happening today.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would love to travel to Costa Rica. It’s so beautiful and exotic, and I’ve always wanted to travel somewhere tropical.  There are so many unique animals and plants there, and so many fun recreational activities to do!

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to attend a four-year university in the fall, though I’m undecided as to which one still. I plan to major in environmental science and then continue on to graduate school.