Lodi High School
LODI HIGH TOP GRADUATES
Ava Acevedo
GPA: 4.7857
Names of parents/guardians: April Chavez, Anthony Acevedo, Frankie Espitia.
Post-graduation plans: Study political science and public policy at Stanford University.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: Earn my undergraduate degree from Stanford, earn my J.D. from Stanford or Harvard Law School, serve in government contributing to greater environmental or educational policy.
Clubs and activities during high school: Lodi Green Schools Campaign, Aspiramos Club, Key Club, Science Olympiad, softball, soccer, and golf.
Most memorable experience: Dancing with great friends on prom night.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: My mom, for encouraging me to work my hardest and be kind, and always being there for me.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: The importance of making time for the people and activities that mean the most to me.
Henrietta Ellison
GPA: 4.7381
Names of parents/guardians: Mary and Eric Ellison.
Post-graduation plans: Attending University of California Santa Barbara.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: I hope to study abroad, graduate from college and potentially attend graduate school. I want to pursue a job in biological and environmental research.
Clubs and activities during high school: Science Olympiad, Environmental Club, badminton, storm drain detectives, CSF.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: I would thank my parents for raising me to be competitive as well as to believe in myself and have confidence in my ability to learn and succeed.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: I learned that prioritizing your own well being and happiness is one of the most important things you can do. Devoting your care and efforts to the relationships and experiences that make you feel good is extremely healthy.
Anna Spaletta
GPA: 4.7381
Names of parents/guardians: Jason and Jennifer Spaletta.
Post-graduation plans: I plan to
attend UCLA in the fall. I am undeclared under engineering and applied science!
What are your goals for the next 10 years: My hope is to work internationally in the next 10 years, building sustainable and affordable infrastructure in underdeveloped, underprivileged communities.
Clubs and activities during high school: Clubs: Environmental Club, Friday Night Live Club, PAWS Club, Christian Club, Key Club, Sparking Friendships, Red Cross Club, CSF. Activities: Tennis, soccer, swimming, track and field, badminton.
Most memorable experience: One of my most memorable experiences of high school is when my friends and I found a hidden piece of paper where Mr. Marciasini writes down all his jokes.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: I would thank my 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher, Mr. Medina, who always encouraged me to do my very best. I am very grateful to have been taught by him.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: The pandemic did teach me you can pretend to be a vacation home and order toilet paper in bulk from a vacation rental site. Not that we did that or anything.
Hailey Reed
GPA: 4.7105
Names of parents/guardians: Angelina and Aaron Reed.
Post-graduation plans: Attending UCLA beginning this fall to study mathematics and chemistry.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: By the time I turn 28, I hope to have my masters in math and chemistry, have traveled a bit, and be happy (hopefully with a dog or two).
Clubs and activities during high school: Environmental Club, CSF, Interact.
Most memorable experience: My most memorable high school experience was curling my hair in my AP physics class junior year to get ready for prom.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: Everyone who supported and believed in me along the way.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: Technology is a great way to communicate with others, not letting distance get in the way of a relationship.
Ella Waters
GPA: 4.619
Names of parents/guardians: Erica and Richard Waters.
Post-graduation plans: I plan on
attending University of California Santa Barbara, studying sociology and premedicine.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: In the next 10 years, I have the goal of being open to change and new opportunities that may present themselves.
Clubs and activities during high school: Founder and president of American Red Cross club, CSF sealbearer, PAWS club secretary, FNL, club soccer, varsity soccer, varsity track and field, varsity cross country.
Most memorable experience: Playing Just Dance! in Mrs. Winterhalter’s class after the AP test.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: I have learned my most valuable lessons from my cross country coach, Mr. Silva. During the pandemic, I found my passion for running. Often feeling disappointed by last minute “COVID cancellations,” I knew that I could count Mr. Silva’s support and commitment to remain constant.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: Living through a pandemic taught me the importance of friendship. I learned that when isolated, it is easy to unconsciously lose touch with those around us. The transition of seeing my friends five days a week, to only their face on zoom highlighted just how valuable real friendships are.
Larisa Johnston
GPA: 4.625
Names of parents/guardians: Joshua and Jennifer Johnston.
Post-graduation plans: Next year I will be attending Clemson University in South Carolina, and I am majoring in mathematical sciences.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: In the next 10 years I hope to have earned my master’s degree or doctorate’s in mathematics or biostatistics. I hope to be working in medical research or data analytics.
Clubs and activities during high school: Lodi High drill team, tennis, badminton, Environmental Club, CSF, Friday Night Live Club.
Most memorable experience: My favorite memory from high school was during my sophomore year when my tennis team and I won the Peach Tree tennis tournament.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: It would be my calculus teacher Mrs. Winterhalter and my physics and chemistry teacher Mr. Degrandmont. They were both very influential in my college and career path and helped me find the subjects that I am passionate about.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: Living through a pandemic taught me perseverance and to make the
best out of an uncertain and unpleasant situation.
Macy Munson
GPA: 4.5714
Names of parents/guardians: Christie Christian and Timothy Munson
Post-graduation plans: I plan to attend University of Tennessee at Knoxville for four years, majoring in business.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: I plan to get my bachelor’s degree in business, possibly my masters, and then go into the construction management and development industry.
Clubs and activities during high school: California Scholarship Federation, Friday Night Live Cub, Red Cross Club, Paws Club, student government, swimming, volleyball, tennis, drill team.
Most memorable experience: The last Lodi v. Tokay football game. The whole crowd was cheering so loud and it was the most school spirit I have ever seen our school have.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: My parents and grandparents. They have always supported me throughout my high school years and celebrated my accomplishments with me.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: How important it is to work on yourself. I used my new-found free time to take up new hobbies, like cooking, organization, and yoga. It allowed me to do things that I never would have done before.
Mecina Olsen
GPA: 4.6
Names of parents/guardians: Jessica and Nickolas Olsen.
Post-graduation plans: Attend UC San Diego as a studio art major.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: Get through college without any student debt, sell my own artwork, and work for a company like Disney or Pixar.
Clubs and activities during high school: Soccer, Science Olympiad, Key Club, Art Club, California Scholarship Federation, Environmental Club, Powderpuff, competitive soccer.
Most memorable experience: Going on a trip to New York and DC with classmates.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: I would thank my parents for contributing to my education as they helped to keep me on task and gave me support and guidance throughout high school.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: To be more fluid and accepting of change. I became more of an individual who was open to going out of their comfort zone.
Talia Duran
GPA: 4.5714
Names of parents/guardians: Kathy and Pedro Duran.
Post-graduation plans: Attend Cal Poly SLO and major in kinesiology.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: After earning my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, I hope to attend PT or OT school and begin my career.
Clubs and activities during high school: Tennis, soccer, badminton, drill, Friday Night Live Club, American Red Cross Club, CSF, PAWs Club, Christian Club.
Most memorable experience: Either being on the Homecoming court or winning first place in TCALs for badminton girls doubles this year.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who would it be and why: My family and friends who provide me with unconditional love and support, and will forever motivate me to be a better version of myself.
What I learned from living through a pandemic: It’s important to take a step back, slow down and appreciate life with those you love the most.
Kaitlyn Nicholsky
GPA: 4.5714.
Names of parents/guardians: Carrie and Nicholas Nicholsky.
Post-graduation plans: Major in business and minor in psych at Southern Methodist University and get my Realtor’s license.
What are your goals for the next 10 years: I want to figure out what exact career path, graduate (obviously lol), and then monetize and become incredibly successful in said career path.
Clubs and activities during high school: Soccer, Goju-Ryu karate (black belt), Paws Club, tennis.
Most memorable experience: Doing “the worm” at the tennis team after party for senior night.
If you could thank anyone for contributing to your education, who
would it be and why: My mother, because she worked incredibly hard to make sure I had everything I needed when it came to my education and academic career..
What I learned from living through a pandemic: The most important thing I learned was that academic success is not everything. Getting an A in a class is not the “be all end all” and it definitely should not take priority over one’s mental health.