#BulldogSTRONG Student Spotlight: Jacelyn Gomez

Student: Jacelyn Gomez
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Attending University of California, Santa Cruz with intentions of majoring in Sociology. Has plans to work as a prison social worker. 
GPS Focus: GROWTH, PRIDE, and Service
What Makes Jacelyn #BulldogSTRONG: Tasked with the important responsibility of making memories and maintaining legacies on a high school campus is that of Editor and Chief of the Yearbook. Often, the student responsible for such a daunting task goes unnoticed in their effort to represent their school in the best way possible. However, at Golden Valley High School, we are proud of the endless efforts and the PRIDE demonstrated by our Editor and Chief of the Yearbook, Jacelyn Gomez. In middle school, Jacelyn was part of yearbook, enjoying the process it took to create memories for students. When she came to Golden Valley, Jacelyn was determined to be part of the Bulldog yearbook staff. Although unable to join as a freshman because of requirements, Jacelyn has been a meaningful contributor to the Golden Valley Yearbook staff the past three years while serving as Editor and Chief as both a junior and senior. As a leader, Jacelyn has immersed herself in the various responsibilities necessary to create a yearbook. "I love the process of creating a yearbook," states Jacelyn, "From writing stories, taking pictures, and going to all of the events at Golden Valley. I simply love being part of the team that creates memories for other students and the school." So, whether it has been a football game, rally, dance, or any event to promote Golden Valley, Jacelyn and her team have been there to capture that moment to make sure that it was included in Golden Valley's yearbook for 2019, Be Bold Be Gold. "Jacelyn has shown tremendous growth throughout her tenure in Yearbook," states Golden Valley Yearbook teacher Jennifer Webb, "Her pride and service to Golden Valley shines throughout this extremely successful book. It is a privilege to know such a talented, bright, and responsible young woman." 
 
Whether writing stories or taking pictures, Jacelyn Gomez enjoys the process and responsibilities of being Editor and Chief of the Golden Valley Yearbook the past two years.
 
However, yearbook is just one of the many activities that Jacelyn participates in. She is involved in numerous clubs at Golden Valley from the Science and Medicine Club, Interact Club, French Club, and was also part of the Robotics Club and AVID Club prior to this year. Jacelyn was part of the successful We The People Team that finished in 2nd Place in the 21st Congressional District that also traveled to Sacramento to compete against other schools around California about the Constitution and current events. In addition to her club and academic participation, Jacelyn lives to SERVE others as evident in her association with the non profit organization called Greenfield Walking Group, which aims to provide safe routes and promote active lifestyles within the Greenfield community. For her efforts in the Greenfield Walking Group, Jacelyn, along with some other Golden Valley students, received an award at the Pedestrians Count! Conference in San Jose in Fall 2018. In addition, Jacelyn and her fellow students won the Kern High School District PEAAK Award for Best Community Service this past Spring, a major accomplishment as they were up against 12 other groups across KHSD. This Fall, Jacelyn will be attending the University of California, Santa Cruz with the intent to major in Sociology to eventually serve as a social worker in the prison system. With all of her success and accomplishments, Jacelyn never forgets the impact and support that she has received at Golden Valley. "The teachers and staff at Golden Valley are genuinely here to help students. It means a lot to me." For all of her contributions to Golden Valley and her commitment to serve others, Jacelyn Gomez is #BulldogSTRONG.   
 
For efforts with the non profit organization, Greenfield Walking Group, Jacelyn Gomez and other Golden Valley students have won a few awards for their commitment to making the community better.
 
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Jacelyn: "#BulldogSTRONG means being leader on campus and working with others for the greater good of all students. It also means that when people fall, we have to be there to pick them back up and make them #BulldogSTRONG again." 
 
What Teachers Think of Jacelyn: 
"Jacelyn embodies the spirit of what it means to truly be #BulldogSTRONG. Jacelyn’s selfless nature and involvement in countless activities shows her true Pride for her campus and community. Beyond this, she is always positive and kind to her peers and teachers. She brings a bright and infectious energy to class every day making it easy and a joy to teach her. Jacelyn has shown what it means to effortlessly show Growth, Pride, and Service and take advantage of all opportunities throughout her four years at GVHS. She may be graduating, but she will always be #BulldogSTRONG! " - Madison Bush, English Teacher, Golden Valley High School
 
"We have been very fortunate to have Jacelyn Gomez as an example of what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG. In the classroom and on campus, she is engaged, she is an encourager, and she is always making a positive contribution. However, there is so much more to Jacelyn outside of who she is as a student leader. She is a young woman who, as her friends and family know, has overcome some very difficult and challenging obstacles and has come away kinder, stronger and more determined than ever. As teachers, we are often privileged to help young people mature and grow. However, in the case of Jacelyn Gomez, she has always left me in awe. She came to us with a tremendous heart and she leaves here, I hope, knowing we are cheering her on as she continues to make this world a better place!" - Lana King, English Department Chair, Golden Valley High School
 
"Jacelyn Gomez truly embodies all of the aspects of GPS: She demonstrates Growth when she challenges herself by taking our most challenging courses; she demonstrates Pride when she works to show our community all of the best aspects of what it means to be a Golden Valley student; she demonstrates Service when she works with colleagues to identify problems in our community and find common sense solutions to help make things better for everyone. " - Teri Richmond, Social Studies Chair and WASC Coordinator, Golden Valley High School