Student: Gisel Salcedo
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: After high school, Gisel plans to attend a four year university where she wants to pursue a degree in architecture with aspirations of becoming an architect. She also wants to become a cheer coach one day.
GPS Focus: PRIDE
What Makes Gisel #BulldogSTRONG: As the entire nation faced the onslaught of a global pandemic as a result of Covid-19 in 2020, public schools were forced into distance learning where Zoom, Canvas, Google Classroom, and other online platforms consumed the lives of students. For many high schoolers, the loss was not only felt instructionally, but in the experiences that were missed of which included rallies, dances, athletic contests, and simply being around friends. Hope was provided in the Fall of 2021 as districts across the nation focused their efforts on bringing students back to full time in person instruction. For many Seniors, these decisions provided opportunities for them to cherish their last year of high school and make memories with their friends. For Golden Valley HIgh School Senior, Gisel Salcedo, the decision to return to in person instruction afforded her the opportunity to assume a leadership role on campus so that she could be more involved in campus life and provide memorable experiences for her peers. As Senior Class President (for the Class of 2022) Gisel has committed herself to finding a space on campus for ALL students to be involved and participate. “I hope that as an ASB Leadership team we can provide a year full of memories for everyone,” comments Gisel. For Gisel, the task of creating memories involves taking charge and getting down to the business of organizing activities and events that can be safe and fun for all students. “Seniors can definitely look forward to the activities we have planned for them,” states Gisel, “The other grade levels can also look forward to (hopefully) rallies and the tons of other events we have organized this year.” Gisel hopes that with the return to in person instruction and the activities that are planned, that she can be an effective leader that listens to her peers and starts new traditions.
In addition to her busy schedule in student leadership, Gisel is very active as a Bulldog Cheerleader. For Gisel, cheer has always been a passion of hers as evident in her participation at Valle Verde Elementary School, McKee Middle, and in her two years at Golden Valley. In the Spring, when sports were allowed to participate in athletic contests, the cheerleaders came together to provide school spirit to those that were in attendance at various events on campus. “I could definitely say the shortened Covid season was very memorable,” indicates Gisel, “All the girls that decided to participate created such a great bond in such a short amount of time.” Gisel is excited about the school year and cheering under the Friday night lights and encourages her fellow classmates to participate in cheer in the future. “I encourage anyone that wants to try out to try out and not to be shy about it,” passionately states Gisel, “Show pride, be extra, and have fun with it, that’s what cheerleaders do.” Student leadership and cheer has provided Gisel with an amazing high school experience at Golden Valley. “Being at Golden Valley has taught me many lessons,” humbly comments Giesel, “Being a Bulldog has allowed me to create so many irreplaceable memories.” For the endless PRIDE she has in being a Bulldog as evident in her position as Senior Class President for the Class of 2022 and in her participation as a cheerleader, Gisel Salcedo is #BulldogSTRONG.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Gisel: "Being #BulldogSTRONG means to show respect for yourself and to others. It also means that we should always promote a positive appearance and to be kind to our fellow peers. ”
What Teachers and Staff Think of Gisel:
"Gisel is a smart, sweet, and hard working young lady. She has been a major asset, and important part, of the Cheer Team and the Leadership Program. I appreciate her willingness to step up and be a leader, and that she does it in a kind and caring way. I know she will make a wonderful leader of the Class of 2022 in her role as Senior Class President.” Valerie Black, Activities Director and Cheer Adviser, Golden Valley High School
“Gisel has been one of my go to girls ever since she has been on my team! She was a part of the small group of girls that wanted to come back and cheer during the time of the pandemic where the lockdown was barely lifting. Since then, she has been someone I knew I could always count on. On top of that, the girl is a fast learner and can cheer her heart out ! Very proud to be her coach!” Brianna Waters, Head Cheer Coach and Instructional Assistant, Golden Valley High School
“Gisel is an incredible young lady! Responsible, reliable, intelligent and enthusiastic. I have no doubt that she‘ll reach all her goals because she’s not afraid to work hard. ¡Estoy orgullosa de ti Gisel! ” Yaneli Bravo-Ceja, Spanish Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“I met Gisel her freshman year as a student in my GATE English class. This was the year I filled my classroom library with young adult fiction and promoted free-choice reading for the sake of reading. Even with a great deal of choice, Gisel struggled to find a book that sparked her interest. She confided she had long ago lost interest in reading and had not finished a book in several years. I will never forget the day she told me she completed her first book. She exuded joy, and the pride we both felt in her accomplishment has left a lasting mark. She ended up reading 8-10 books that year. Gisel also played an integral part in Freshman homecoming. She choreographed the Freshmen performance and participated in other roles as well. Gisel embodies every aspect of GPS. She has shown growth as a student, pride through her participation in GVHS activities, and service through leadership. Gisel Salcedo is #BulldogSTRONG.” Jamie Contois, English Teacher and ELD Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Gisel is the epitome of growth, pride, and service. I have been lucky to have had Gisel since she was an incoming freshman and I have watched her grow into a strong, independent, young woman. Besides senior class president and cheer, Gisel is a leader in our Project Lead the Way engineering program. She is a phenomenal young engineer and creative designer. Gisel has done many great things for our school like planning the dances and rallies, helping with freshmen orientation. We are truly lucky to have Gisel on our campus.” Judiah Hopkins, Physics and Project Lead the Way Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Gisel was in my Engineering Design class during her freshman year. She is a great student with a positive and up-beat attitude. It was a real pleasure having her in class. I’m very proud of her for continuing to take classes in our PLTW Engineering track. Gisel has shown GROWTH as she took the challenges of each of those classes and hopes to continue in college and eventually become an architect. Gisel has shown PRIDE in not only her academic career but also our GV on-campus community. She is active in Cheer and ASB. Gisel has great leadership qualities and plans on being in SERVICE to others as a coach for Cheer. I look forward to seeing what Gisel does in the future and appreciate her always being #BulldogSTRONG.” Aaron Wherry, Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, PLTW Teacher, and Assistant Dean, GVHS