BY JOANNA MONOBE
The Westside Express
With impressive academic achievements, leadership roles and athletic dedication, Alessandra Ortiz has made the most of her time at Los Banos High School.
This year, Ortiz is tackling multiple advanced placement (AP) courses, including Spanish and pre-calculus, and college courses in English, government and economics. In her junior year, she earned the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing her fluency in both English and Spanish.
On top of her academics, she has been deeply involved in her school’s clubs. She’s the president of the Creative Writing Club, a role she has held since last year and is the vice president of the Spanish Honor Society, however, her accomplishments go beyond academics. Ortiz has also spent the past three years on the school’s tennis team, recently wrapping up her final season.
Balancing tennis and school wasn’t always easy, as she admitted.
“Something I struggled with a little was getting my homework done on time..” Ortiz said. “Sometimes I would have my laptop or binder out at a game to get it done before the due date.
“It was definitely a challenge to balance everything,” she said, “But looking back, it was worth it. My favorite part of tennis was seeing how much I improved since I started and just having fun with my teammates. School is important, but it’s also so important to take time to do things that make you happy.”
When asked about her advice to other students, her response was simple.
“Make sure you’re prepared for everything,” she said. “A to-do list or planner can go a long way in helping you stay organized and avoid forgetting important tasks.”
Looking ahead, Ortiz is excited to start her journey at California State University, San Jose, where she plans to major in biology, a field she has always been passionate about.
“I’ve always been a science person, and biology is one of my favorite subjects,” she said. “With a bachelor’s in biology, I’ll be able to take the next step toward my goal of becoming a doctor.”
With graduation on the horizon, Ortiz is embracing the bittersweet emotions of closing this chapter of her life.
“It’s strange to think about how fast this year is going,” she said. For the past three years, graduation felt so far away, and now it’s right around the corner.”
As she wraps up her final semester, Ortiz is focused on maintaining her grades while cherishing the time she has left with friends and classmates.
