Student: Manjot Sidhu
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Manjot wants to go to California State University, Bakersfield and major in Psychology with the goal of becoming a Psychologist. Another career possibility for Manjot is becoming a Registered Nurse in private practice.
GPS Focus: GROWTH, PRIDE, & SERVICE
What Makes Manjot #BulldogSTRONG: There are those that argue that leadership is defined by a person’s ability to communicate their drive, passion, and commitment not simply in their rhetoric, but embody them in the tones of their voices, through their body language, and in the very sinews of who they are. However, some argue that there is power in silent leadership. Silent leaders exercise strength in a quiet and thoughtful approach. Silent leaders are compassionate, understanding, open and approachable and, most importantly, they command their team through earned respect rather than force of character. Perhaps no one on the hallowed grounds of Golden Valley High School embodies the essence of silent leadership than that of Bulldog senior, Manjot Sidhu. For four years, Manjot has given 100% of her energy and efforts into being an academically successful student. For her efforts, Manjot has accumulated a GPA of 4.063 while being enrolled in College Prep and Advanced Placement courses. Manjot takes PRIDE in her work ethic and desire to succeed. “I may not be the smartest or the most talented student,” humbly states Manjot, “But at the end of the day, I can proudly say that I made sure to give 100% effort in my four years at Golden Valley High School.” Through all of her academic success, Manjot provides appreciation for one teacher that has inspired her to be the best version of herself, Terri Richmond, Social Studies Department Chair at Golden Valley High School. “Mrs. Richmond is an incredible person that truly cares about her students' success,” states Manjot, “Throughout my junior year, I had two classes with her and she always made sure that we, her students, were learning the material, but she also made sure to install plenty of values and morals into each and every one of us.”
As a senior, Manjot has taken those values she learned from Mrs. Richmond and has incorporated them into her efforts as a leader in a newly created peer support group at GVHS called Thrive. Entirely created, organized, and facilitated by students at GVHS, Thrive operates in providing assistance in school work, building powerful bonds, and supporting the emotional needs of their peers. Student leaders in Thrive (known as Thrive Leaders) believe in the following tenants: 1. Students that learn together will thrive together. 2. Success can be achieved with support. 3. We are here to support one another’s success. 4. We are in this together. 5. Together we will rise up to be #BulldogSTRONG. For Manjot, Thrive has allowed her to come out of her quiet comfort zone and GROW as a socially active leader. “I decided to join Thrive because I wanted to help other students engage and interact with their peers,” indicates Manjot, “I wanted them to feel like they had a support system to go to whenever they needed any type of assistance whether with academics or emotional support. It's also a great way to help them realize their full potential towards becoming successful.” Additionally, Manjot joined Thrive to provide support to students that may be struggling because of a language barrier; she is fluent in both Punjabi and Hindi languages. Manjot, along with Thrive Leaders Jayden Reyes Sarmiento, Gerardo Bernal, and Juan Duran, meet every Wednesday from 2-3pm over Zoom to provide support to students that may be struggling with engagement, school work, or their social and emotional behavior. Though Thrive has only met a handful times and is still in the beginning of phases of implementation, Manjot has seen the early benefits of this peer support group and is optimistic about its potential. “I hope in the future Thrive continues to be a meaningful and solid program that plenty of students participate in and it continues to progress,” states Manjot, “Above all I want Thrive to help students make good decisions in school and in their personal life.” For the quiet strength she has demonstrated academically at GVHS and in the impact she is creating as a leader in the student support group THRIVE, Manjot Sidhu is #BUlldogSTRONG.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Manjot: "Being #BulldogSTRONG does mean being a good student, but it's also important to be an overall good person inside and outside of the classroom. This includes being respectful, responsible, and resilient. The way you present yourself and how you treat others should reflect a positive self-image of yourself.”
What Teachers and Staff Think of Manjot:
"Although quiet, Manjot is a powerful force at GVHS. She is the epitome of SERVICE as she is a founding member of our student-led distance learning support group, Thrive. Her thoughtfulness and attention to detail is what makes this group highly successful. I also appreciate her dedication to personal GROWTH by getting out of her comfort zone and taking on a leadership role. For these reasons and more, are why Manjot is #bulldogSTRONG.” Jennifer Webb, Dean of Instruction and Administration, Golden Valley High School
“What I appreciate about Manjot is that she is willing to challenge herself and step outside of her comfort zone in being a leader for Thrive. She is dedicated to achieving her goals and helping others. She has modeled GPS in all areas.” Dalfon Amey, Interventionist, Golden Valley High School
"Manjot is #BulldogSTRONG in a lot of ways, but especially in that she always gives 100% to the things she does. In class she shows up everyday ready to learn and she often greets me in the chat with a good morning, which I love! She never hesitates to ask questions and she always advocates for herself. She also completes every assignment with an enthusiasm and effort that many students and teachers are lacking in these difficult times. Multiple times I have tucked her completed assignments away to use as examples for future students because of how thoroughly and well they were done. She is a joy to have as a student and inspires me every day to give a little extra to what I do." Trisha Brown, Social Studies Teacher and Mock Trial Coach, Golden Valley High School
“Manjot is hardworking and she has shared in Thrive sessions that she is passionate about learning and is eager to complete school work as soon as it’s assigned. She is compassionate and has an interest in mental health and supporting those in need. She also is proud of her cultural heritage which shines through when sharing about the Punjabi language, her family’s traditions, and some of her favorite cultural foods.” Brittany Brandon, Social Worker, Golden Valley High School
“Manjot is truly an excellent example of a student who takes great pride in her studies. She is conscientious, thoughtful, and very focused on doing her best. She approaches her studies with a calm, positive attitude, fully aware of how to reach her goals.” Terri Richmond, Social Studies Department Chair and WASC Coordinator, Golden Valley High School