Student: Gabriella Magaña
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Gabriella plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering from one of the following institutions: UCI, Cal Poly SLO, or UCLA. With a keen interest in the physical aspects of engineering, she aspires to become a robotics engineer.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Gabriella: "To me, being #BulldogSTRONG means constantly striving for growth in all areas of your life. This can be personal, academic, and/or social development, but by aiming to be a better version of yourself than the day before, that growth will reflect on the world around you."
What motivates Gabriella to take on challenging courses? "My motivation to take on challenging courses comes from my desire to improve myself. I can see the effects my work has had by comparing my work and grades from one point in the year to another. My curiosity also motivates me to understand the “why” behind the material I learn, so I can spend hours thinking about each concept until I’m satisfied with my understanding of it. The struggle behind understanding each lesson is what makes the result satisfying."
Who have been your most influential teachers or staff members at Golden Valley? "All my teachers have impacted me in some way, but my biggest influences have been Mr. Druey, Mrs. Bastain, Mr. Flores, and Mr. Hopkins. Mr. Druey’s Principles of Engineering class was one of the hardest I've taken yet and even thinking about it reminds me of the stress. Despite this, his challenges were instrumental in my growth as a future engineering student, and I am grateful for the work he put into his class. Mr. Flores gave me a greater appreciation and connection to my culture that I lacked when entering his AP Spanish Language and Culture class. Alongside Mr. Hopkins, he created a fun class environment that made me look forward to learning. Mrs. Bastain’s dedication to her students inspired me to work through my shortcomings and try my absolute best. I credit much of my CAASPP ELA score to her lessons from class. Finally, Mr. Hopkins has created a balance between the fun and challenging sides of engineering. He encourages us to test our limits every day and gives us the freedom to mess up, ask any questions, explore our passions, and learn things on our own."
What Teachers and Staff Think of Gabriella:
"Gabriella Magaña is an AMAZING individual! Her talents and academic strengths span all subject areas and reflect a remarkable amount of maturity and dedication. From the moment she entered my AP Language and Composition class last year, it was clear she was an advanced reader, writer, and critical thinker, yet she never stopped pushing herself to do even better. She has a keen eye for analysis and can quickly digest and apply new strategies and feedback to her work. Gaby values her education and takes tremendous pride in her accomplishments and growth. Undoubtedly, she will impress the professors and people she encounters in college the way she has impressed her teachers here at Golden Valley. She has a bright future ahead of her and is a stellar example of what it means to be #bulldogstrong!" Karen Bastain, AP Language and Composition Teacher, Golden Valley High School
"Gabriella is a true scholar in the whole extension of the word. She is a leader and a great team player with her peers. Her constant aim at excellence is inspirational! For these reasons, Gabriella Magaña is #BulldogSTRONG! Luis Jauregui, Calculus Teacher, Golden Valley High School
"I have been lucky enough to work with Gabriella for four years. Gabriella's growth is evident through her academic journey. Over time, she has continuously developed her intellect, expanding her knowledge. This growth mindset shows her willingness to learn and evolve. Pride shines through Gabriella's actions, especially in her unique fashion sense and her crochet. Her pride in self-expression and individuality is evidence of her confidence and belief in embracing one's identity without hesitation. Service is an integral part of Gabriella's character. Her kindness and loyalty extend beyond personal connections. Whether through peer support or involvement in community activities like SWAT, Gabriella's service-oriented nature highlights her desire to make a positive impact and contribute to the betterment of those around her." Judiah Hopkins, Project Lead the Way/Engineering Teacher and eSports Coach, Golden Valley High School
"Gabriella Magaña is an amazing young woman who epitomizes what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG!!! In class, she demonstrates Growth by being studious, inquisitive, and creative in her work. Gabriella demonstrates Pride by always giving her best effort committing to mastering difficult questions and learning from any mistakes she does make. Furthermore, she demonstrates Service by being a leader in class, by helping others further their own understanding of their work, and by being a positive contributor in discussion and her group work. Having her in my We the People class has truly been an honor, and I know she has a bright future ahead of her and will continue to be #BulldogSTRONG in life beyond high school." John Hansen, Government/Economics Teacher and We The People Coach, Golden Valley High School