Meet Our Students & Staff

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
I'm proud to be a Wildcat because this school has offered me so many opportunities through sports, academics, and other extracurriculars. There is an immense sense of belonging and community on this campus and I'm so proud to be a part of that. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
Both of my parents inspire me and have truly shaped me into the person I am today by challenging me to be the best version of myself. I know I'm biased, but they're some of the most hardworking, compassionate, and down-to-earth people you'll ever meet and I aspire to model my career, work, ethic, and life around theirs. 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I do club and school water polo, in which I was a captain for this year's varsity girl's team. I’m a co-founder of a school club that does volunteer work for pediatric patients in the local area, and I'm the center editor for the school newspaper. I also love to bake and have a small baking business that I run in the summertime. In the winter my favorite thing to do is snowboard.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, while I'm not sure exactly what job I'll have, I want to do something that helps others through healthcare. I also would love to travel and see the world and go on some crazy adventures.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I’m proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the strong sense of community we have as Wildcats! As both a former student and now a teacher, I’ve experienced firsthand the care and connection that make this school so special. It’s an honor to help guide and support the next generation of Wildcats through such formative years.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was coaching soccer at summer camps.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I try to remember that it’s not about where you begin, but the progress you make along the way. It is often easy to forget that failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to it.

What's something we might not know about you?
My older sister, Kelly Pearson, taught at LGHS for seven years before moving to Walnut Creek. During my first few years teaching here, everyone called me Kelly because we look so much alike!

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
I love our school spirit and community. From my experience, people at LGHS constantly try to help each other. I am proud of being part of our community.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
I think my mom is one of my biggest inspirations because she is able to do so much without breaking a sweat.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I spend a lot of my free time working on entrepreneurial projects. Some I try to turn into real startups and try to achieve a level of success with them. Others, I am just tinkering with something I find interesting. My current obsession is seeing whether I can build a fully-fledged application using no-code tools. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'd love to be doing something with startups or work in marketing at a company/cause I care about and believe in.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
The amount of opportunities available to me and the level education I get.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My best friend 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I played on the golf team.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself just graduating graduate school and landing my first job. Being happy and healthy.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1999, so I must like this place just a little bit to want to come back and work here. I love that LGHS still offers something for every student, whether it's athletics, performing arts, extracurricular clubs, or just being a student who gets to enjoy high school life in a student-friendly, walkable town.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was in San Francisco, at a small publishing company called Aunt Lute Books. It was located in the Mission District. It was an amazing place to work with great people, and some of the best taquerias. It was a two block walk to El Metate, which at the time was a hole in the wall taqueria, for my favorite midday burrito.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I am fond of many amazing, wise quotes that I have heard over the years, but my favorite is very simple. "Have a day". Not a good day, or awesome day. Just have a day. Meaning, whatever kind of day it is, make the most of it. Bad days come with good, and some days can just be busy running errands or taking care of personal business, or even just a little boring. Sometimes doing the simple things really well is enough for the day. Make the most of whatever day it is. Another one is coming.

What's something we might not know about you?
I played a lot of soccer growing up, for both club, ODP, high school, and college (USF). I am grateful for the years I was able to play, and for the people I met along the way.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
There's not a single aspect about being a Wildcat that I don't love. The amazing community we have here is unmatched. From day 1 at LGHS I have loved this community and I'm always proud to represent.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My hero is definitely my Mom. She's the toughest person I have ever met and she's been through so many difficult things in her life, despite all of that I rarely see her without a smile on her face and she's always thinking about others before herself.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I love to play lacrosse in and outside of school. I started playing sophomore year and ever since then I've fallen in love with the game and I've been consumed. I've made some of my best friends and memories through lacrosse (like winning CCS last year). I truly think of lacrosse like its nickname, "the medicine game" and I use it as a way to disconnect from school or just relax in general. I hope to be able to play after high school, no matter the level, and hopefully be able to represent Spain on an international scale at some point.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'd like to be working in Europe or some other part of the world and have a job that I love to do and that I can't get enough of. I'd also like to be traveling around and continue to be active and play sports. To be honest, I'm not too sure and that seems very far away but as long as I'm content with what I do and have achieved I will consider it successful.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I enjoy working with highly motivated, enthusiastic students and colleagues.

What was your 1st job?
Flipping burgers at Jack-in-the-Box

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
1. Life Does Not Award Extra Credit.
2. Persevere. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be rewarding. Or else it would be illegal.
3. If you’re doing it just to tell people about it, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.
4. Ask questions, and question the answers.
5. A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives. 

What's something we might not know about you?
I worked as an EMT in college, but dropped out of med school to become a teacher.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am proud to be part of a caring community who respects, honors, and meets students' unique learning and social/emotional needs.

What was your 1st job?
Teaching--when I was in the 7th grade, we had a long-term substitute teacher for all of our core classes. The teacher's note to the sub said, "Janis Rogers can teach the Algebra"!

What are your words of wisdom to live by? Be kind to yourself and others; forgive yourself and others; respect yourself and others; acknowledge your own struggles and the struggles of others; recognize and build on your strengths and help others do the same. 

What's something we might not know about you?
I have done interior design work for clients in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, and Hawaii. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the community of staff, teachers, and students who welcome me everyday -- always curious about how my day is going and what I am up to. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My hero is my definitely my dad. He is the rock I lean on in times of need.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I really love hiking! I have hiked many times on the Central Coast of Cali at places like Big Sur and Point Lobos. Although sometimes it can be challenging, for the most part I enjoy having the chance to reconnect with nature since I often feel disconnected in my day-to-day life.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself as a corporate lawyer like the guys on the show "Suits."

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
(I'm proud of) the strong and caring community. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My mom

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
My hobbies and extracurricular activities are field hockey and helping out around my community.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself hopefully in ten years working in the medical field as a pediatrician or a psychiatrist.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I love that our students are so well rounded! They excel academically, participate in music, sports, drama and perform community service. I also am so grateful to have so many exceptional colleagues that help make me a better teacher.

What was your 1st job?
I worked at Disneyland at Club 33. It's a private, members-only dinner club where they would bring celebrities. Supposedly they are making a movie about it in the same vein as Pirates of the Caribbean and some of the other Disney attractions. It was a super fun place to work and I loved being a cast member. 

What are your words of wisdom to live by? Be kind. Extending grace and being kind are not necessarily hard to do and can mean the world to someone who is struggling. Being rude or mean says more about you than it does to the person receiving the unkind action.

What's something we might not know about you?
I teach at SJSU in their credential program supporting pre-service science teachers. I love working with student teachers and am proud that several of them have come to work for our district.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am proud to be a Wildcat because of the community fostered on campus. The teachers create comfortable class environments and my friends help make school fun. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
All the people that have helped me learn or grow into the person I am today. Whether it is my friends, teachers, or my parents, they all have a part in shaping who I became. They inspire me to work hard to validate all the help they have provided to me. 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
Everyone around me knows that I'm almost always practicing drums. I compete in both state wide and national competitions for percussion music as a whole for independent groups around California. I also am a member of all the band programs available on campus such as, jazz band, wind ensemble, and marching band. Outside of music I enjoy meeting new people and spending time with friends. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully having a good work life balance where I could teach and play music on the side. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
Our amazing staff, students and supportive community is what makes me very proud to be a wildcat! It has been such a fun school year and getting to be apart of so much history in the making of our youth day in and day out. I appreciate everyday, as it’s a special time for me as well, as I get to share in some milestones with my very own two wildcats. I feel truly blessed to be here and to be a Wildcat!!!!

What was your 1st job?
When I was 16 yrs old. I started working at Oakridge Mall for a Sports Appeal Shop during the holiday season. 

What are your words of wisdom to live by? Live and Experience Life to Fullest! Our Time here isn’t a guarantee…so make the most of everyday that is given to you!

What's something we might not know about you?
Something you may not know about is that I got to experience 6 weeks of backpacking around Europe when I was 18 years old and was also an exchange student in Germany for two weeks.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am proud to be a part of this beautiful supportive community. I have such supportive kind, caring, and loving teachers and staff members in my life here at LGHS that have all really inspired me in beautiful ways. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My hero and inspiration is my Golden Girls Nika , Dana, Emily, Charity Ann, and Alexis. They are my heroes because they are always there for me and each other.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
My hobbies are singing and dancing with my Golden Girls Best Friend Group/dance team and music/singing group.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself as a vet tech, helping animals and making sure that they are adopted. I really want to learn more about different diseases and different medical conditions that certain animals are more prone to and treating so many animals and nursing them back to health.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
Working with an amazing staff!

What was your 1st job?
Baseball Coach at Saratoga.

What are your words of wisdom to live by? 
Don't talk about it, be about it.

What's something we might not know about you?
I enjoy picking up trash for three reasons... Helps the Environment, keeps me grounded, & good karma!

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
The classes are very rigorous and the teachers are dedicated to their students' learning. The administration, in the past few years, has really made an effort to listen to the students and cares about everybody's success.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My grandfather John Rich, who was a great mentor to me. He always encouraged my curiosity and was passionate about so much. Although he passed away about a year ago, I still think of him every day and try to let his example guide me.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I've been a member of Los Gatos Rowing Club since eighth grade. I've also been involved with Interact Club since freshman year, and this year I am president of the club. I also do photography in my free time, and I've sold my photos and calendars in art shows.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
As an astronaut. It's been my dream since I was a small child and never faded.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I have a deep appreciation for both the students and staff at LGHS. The students are so interesting, energetic, inspiring, smart and funny! They keep me in tune with what is relevant to today's youth; what they are 'into', concerned with, and working towards.

I enjoy working with and for, the dedicated, passionate and hardworking staff members who strive to foster a positive and engaging educational environment. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of the supportive & spirited Wildcat community.

What was your 1st job?
My first job at LGHS was as the Health Clerk.

What are your words of wisdom to live by? "Tenet fe" which means "Have faith" ; The adage "The only thing constant in life is change" from Heraclitus; and my own "Life is a roller coaster-just hold on tightly!".

What's something we might not know about you?
I'm an EMT and a Fencer (as in En-garde and Touché).

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
What makes me especially proud of Los Gatos High School is our immensely welcoming community and proud diversity. Since my freshman year, I have experienced nothing but open arms from both peers and teachers. Especially during marching band, I was immediately struck by the passionate empathy of most of the seniors, as someone who initially felt intimidated by high school life. It is not an exaggeration to say that our school always goes above and beyond to ensure the optimal learning environment for students of every background. From the first two years of high school, my teachers have been some of the most inspiring figures I have ever met; their everlasting kindness and thorough passion for their subjects have fueled my drive for academic success. We have a wonderful structure of support, including school counselors and wellness specialists, letting me know that I am never alone in my journey towards college.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
As a determined straight As student with a strong passion for STEM, it may seem surprising for my inspiration to be my older sister, an outgoing art student who ended AP Stats with a C. However, my sister's constant positivity and confident leadership have shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up in a traditional Asian family, my sister's passion in art has always been looked upon with disgrace and distain. My sister proved that her hobby was not only a sustainable career path, but also an immense source of happiness. She has taught me to harness a certain level of individuality and to always persist on my dreams -- not everything I do has to be related to math or finance. Having love towards volunteering and music in my free is nothing to be ashamed of, a lesson I later affirmed when considering my extracurriculars. While I do not wish to exactly embody my sister when I grow up, I do look up to her constant happiness and groundedness.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
Elpizo Foundation (President): In 2023, I founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the goal of fostering positive impact in local communities and promoting routine volunteering to high school youths. Our volunteer events include creating STEM activity kits for children, planting trees locally, and cooking meals for the homeless. We are already operating in three different schools and have accumulated over 100 hours of student volunteer service. This experience has not only helped me make a tangible impact as a leader, but also enhanced my skills as an entrepreneur and ability to manage a large organization.

Applied Math Club (President): I founded the applied math club based on my love for math and STEM concepts. Each week, I give lectures on economics, cryptography, and physics topics to a wide audience of students, which has not only cemented myself as a leader, but also a teacher and a master of my knowledge.

Stock Market Club (Secretary): In my free time, I love studying various industries and their potential for growth, and trading stocks based on technical and fundamental analysis. Having the chance to teach students these concepts each week has deeply leveraged my presentation and mentoring skills.

Band: My experience with band has harnessed my dedication and commitment towards routine practice and performance. As a principal player of my band, I have learned to lead by example and always be prepared for new challenges. Furthermore, I have been doing marching band since freshman year, where I have excelled as a commanding and determined leader. Henceforth, I have been awarded several awards for my precise efforts and collaboration.

Programming & Engineering: Whether it’s video games or electrical devices, I love doing engineering projects in my spare time. Electrical engineering and programming are hobbies I have developed since a young age, and I hope to continue these activities to work towards more real-world applications. My experience includes building functional embedded systems that harness sustainable energy, and designing optimal models of wind turbines and solar circuits based on the theoretical concepts of wind energy and photovoltaics. At the moment, I am working on developing and launching a functional rocket for the 2024 American Rocketry Challenge.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I wish to master my passion in engineering and economics after graduating from a prestigious university. Becoming an innovative computer engineer is more than building contraptions; it is also about becoming a teacher, leader, and innovator. I see myself enhancing my leadership and management skills, developing as a mentor, and putting myself in a position where I can lead a growing team. I want to make an impact on those around me -- someone people of my field can look up to for inspiration. Finally, I want to put myself in a role where I have the freedom to innovate and push the boundaries of everyday technology.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
The students and staff at our school make me extremely proud to be a Wildcat. It's very humbling to be part of our school community where so many outstanding things are happening on a daily basis. I am genuinely proud to tell others that I work at Los Gatos High School.

What was your 1st job?
When I was 14, I was hired to work in a camp kitchen. I prepared/ served food, interacted with campers and the other staff, and did dishes—lots of dishes, haha.

What are your words of wisdom to live by? It's never too late to make a meaningful life change!

What's something we might not know about you?
I was adopted from South Korea when I was four months old. I have an older sister (Mrs. Mercer!) who was also adopted from South Korea when she was four month old, two years before my adoption. Though we are not biologically related, we couldn't be closer siblings :)

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
This school's spirit and sense of togetherness makes me proud to be able to be part of it. All the different groups we have, there's a place for everybody to feel welcome. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
History. While I know that this is not really a person and is more a concept, it's true. All the women and men before me who fought to change the world so that future generations could as well inspire me. 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I spend time with my family and on my computer designing various things. I keep my notebook, of in which has various things from the day's mess to the designs I make. These designs I do help me run the club that I run at school, Cats: Future of Engineering. 

I'm (also always) in the pool either for the school's swim team or just for personal reasons. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to see myself making a difference. I'd probably have my masters degree by then where I'd focus on mechanical, aerospace engineering. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I'm proud to say I work alongside some of the best friends I've ever had. There's a sense of community that I feel so lucky to work here! I am also so thankful for our students and witnessing their growth.

What was your 1st job?
This is going to give away my age but I worked at a Blockbuster (kids will have to Google what these were. Hint: VHS!)

What are your words of wisdom to live by? 
Kindness. Every time, all the time. 

What's something we might not know about you?
I speak 4 languages and have 3 dogs. Also, my daughters went to Los Gatos High School!

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I get to work with some of the best colleagues and students every single day. The amount of support we get from our community is second to none. 

What was your 1st job?
My first job was helping out as a marching band instructor. I taught kids how to march. There was a lot to learn in that first year and I am grateful to the people who entrusted me to help out.

What are your words of wisdom to live by? Choose excellence. Do everything (and I mean everything) with the highest detail and care. It was something that one of my mentors told me and it has always stuck with me. Though easier said than done, the more you can make that conscious choice there's nothing you can't do.

What's something we might not know about you?
I have an older brother, mom (who's also a music teacher) and dad that are all musicians. It was one of those things growing up I thought I had to do because my whole family did it. Outside of music, I enjoy fishing, bouldering and watching the niners play.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
Being around friends that I've pretty much grown up with. Also the atmosphere at Los Gatos just can't be replaced. We also have traditions that no other schools have... so its a unique experience. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My Uncle Ivory because throughout my childhood he was a really important mentor to me. He was also a football player and I had always tried to play like him and still do today. He passed a couple years ago but I continue to let him guide me spiritually through my football career

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I've been a football player since I could walk. I am now a captain on the LG varsity football team. I have been on varsity since I was a sophomore. I also run track to improve my overall athleticism and speed. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Graduated and either living out my NFL dream or in some job/coach of any sport

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?

Whenever I am asked: "Where do you work?", I proudly answer: "I work at Los Gatos High School". 

I am proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the high academic standards, community involvement, and beautiful school setting.

I really enjoy being around intelligent and talented students, and am grateful to work with such amazing and dedicated teachers and staff. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
My community, friends, and family make me proud to be a Wildcat.  

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My inspirations are my loving friends Isabella, Lexi, Dana, Charity, Emily, and Eda.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I like to recite poetry, play the piano, and solve riddles.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself as a graduate of either Rice University or UC Davis and with a job that I truly love.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am deeply proud to work alongside such caring teachers and staff. I look out my window and the grounds are so beautiful. It looks like I teach on an episode of the Gilmore Girls. I was so touched at our back-to-school staff meeting by the parents (who are) so supportive of the teachers. And then there are the amazing students. Whether it's their incredible artistic, musical, theatrical, athletic, robotic/ engineering talent or countless examples of being a good human, our student body continuously knock my socks off.

What was your 1st job?  
I simultaneously worked at my parents' bookstore, Moraga Books in Moraga, CA right by Saint Mary's College, and....a frozen yogurt shop in Lafayette, CA.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I try to "pre-pave" the next day by imagining an absolutely awesome day,....but as if it's already happened. I'd say between 3-5 nights out of the week I take less than 5 minutes to write/script a journal prompt "about" the next day like it's happened and then I try to "set" the day on my drive. I also visualize putting on sunglasses with heart-shaped lenses to "view the day through the lens of love". I fully acknowledge that these may sound  extremely cheesy but they work for me and help me zero in on the wonderful moments that each day holds.

What's something we might not know about you?
I led backpacking trips for a group called Adventure Outings that offered affordable adventures to Chico State students.

I was also on the kids' TV show in the '70's "Romper Room" (for one day with my pre-school).

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
Our staff, especially our teachers because they our able to challenge us and help us grow as students and as people.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My Dad and my brothers

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
Weightlifting, and community with my local church

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself being a successful civil engineer designing infrastructures to help marginalized communities.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
LGHS has options for everyone, whether it be an athlete, musician, or mainly academic student. There is a place for all students here, and I value that.

 Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My inspiration is my mom. Ever since a young age, she has taught me lessons that have stuck with me to this day, and made me a better person. Not only does she help me believe in myself, but she is a role model of kindness, love, drive, and hard work for me to look up to.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I particularly love sports. I currently play both at LGHS and on a year round club softball team as a pitcher and center fielder, and have been playing since I was four years old! I also played volleyball this year for the first time on the LGHS Freshmen Girls Volleyball team, and have played soccer for ten years.

I also love music. I've been taking piano lessons since I was young, and have performed onstage in musical theatre all my life. I love singing, whether it be onstage or in the shower. Just recently, I got to perform at Friday Night Live with my brother Devon who will be a graduating senior this semester. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to be finishing medical school, as I want to be a doctor one day! I hope to contribute to our knowledge of the sciences to improve health in our communities. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
As a former student and now a teacher at LGHS, I am proud of the community and the students drive to succeed. Day in and day out, the students are the ones that make this campus a special place and it shows in their work in and out of the classroom.

Also, the teaching staff are an incredibly welcome and helpful group of people that have been super supportive to both the students and I. 

What was your 1st job?  

My first ever job was working at Vasona Park as a boating attendee/camp instructor. It was a great summer job that actually encouraged me to become a teacher because I found my joy of working with kids and seeing them grow and succeed. 

What are your words of wisdom to live by?

Habits develop into character and life isn't that serious as we sometimes make it seem. I believe that healthy and creative habits that you can complete every single day will help you become the person that you want to be in life. Also, with those habits and improving yourself, you sometimes need to take a step back and have some fun along the way. 

What's something we might not know about you?

In my spare time I like to backpack/hike. Since I like to do that, I am trying to visit each national park across the country over the next decade and hike each of their most popular trails. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
The truly amazing staff and student body. I love many of the kind hardworking people who are at our school. I've always found it quite enjoyable to go to class and interact with outstanding teachers and kind compassionate students.  

Who is your hero or inspiration?
I'm inspired by some of the great political thinkers of the past 150 years. Listening to some of the things these people have said, including Mahatma Gandhi's amazing advancements in human rights and peaceful protests or Franklin Delano Roosevelt ability to lead a nation through war and put an end to a horrible NAZI regime with just words is inspiring. 

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I love hanging out with my friends whether in video games or going to the store or just walking around. This  is a big part of what I do outside of school.

I am also fascinated by international relations and military science. I'm currently doing a few noncredit classes trying to learn more about these subjects. I also am a big thrift shopper and have a small collection of computers dating back to 1980. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
My current intention is to go to college to get my master's degree and join the Navy. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? I was able to fulfill a childhood dream of mine by returning to Los Gatos High School as a teacher. I graduated from here in 2001 and "once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat" has been a motto of mine. I'm proud to be able to give back to the community that served me well.

What was your 1st job? My first job ever was as a "mother's helper" at the age of 11 where I learned to babysit and earned $1/child/hour the summer going into 6th grade. The girls that I started to babysit for became like little sister's to me and to this day I am in contact with them. 

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
"Comparison is the thief of joy". I find that when we compare ourselves to others we miss the blessings and gifts in our own lives. 

What's something we might not know about you? You might not know that I am a second generation alumni of Los Gatos High School. Both my parents graduated in 1974. Additionally my husband graduated in 2003, and my mother-in-law graduated in 1979. Beyond that, my husband's grandmother graduated in 1957 and his grandfather in 1953. To say we are a family with strong ties to Los Gatos would be an understatement. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
The teachers at LGHS are always very dedicated and passionate about teaching their subjects and always go above and beyond to ensure every student succeeds. I am also proud to be a Wildcat because our school provides a strong sense of community and respect with many small clubs and organizations, school events, and opportunities to get involved and connect with others.     

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My heroes and inspirations are my parents. Ever since I was born, they have worked tirelessly to provide for me and my siblings with the best opportunities and education. From my parents, I have also learned the importance of hard work, commitment, and perseverance, to show me what it means to be a good person.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I am one of the Vice Presidents of a non-profit organization called CENG, which teaches children worldwide how to code at no cost. 

While serving my community, I have also accumulated many volunteer hours, which has led me to the Gold and Bronze President's Volunteer Service Awards. I also play the violin and am a member of the LGHS Chamber Orchestra and the Vice President of the Tri-M Honors Music Society at LGHS, a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). For sports, I currently play tennis and golf.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself as a successful computer scientist working in a field that I am passionate about. I hope to land a job at a tech company after completing my studies where I can apply my skills to make a positive impact on society. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? Our incredible music program. LGHS has phenomenal choirs, bands, and orchestras, and I am proud to be apart of Mixed Choir, Marching Band, and Jazz Band.

Who is your hero or inspiration? My vocal teacher, Caitlin Clarke. She and I have been working together for almost 7 years and she's my biggest source of inspiration and encouragement.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school? I have a lot of music based hobbies. I play electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, kalimba, and I'm starting to take up drum lessons. But my favorite instrument will forever and always be my voice. I have a natural knack for singing and I've been working my entire life thus far to improve my vocal skills. Using my voice and instruments I write and record my own original songs which I upload on any and all music streaming platforms. You can find me almost anywhere by the name "romeoh" or "romeoh_music". Apart from music, I'm a huge fantasy nerd. I play D&D a lot with my friends, mainly acting as the DM for the groups I am apart of. D&D is one of my favorite creative outlets because of all the possibilities of stories and magic. Some of my best memories with my friends come from sitting around a table rolling dice and defeating monsters. I also enjoy reading comics (particularly Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes), completing escape rooms, and collecting dice and card decks.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully having moved back to Massachusetts and having opened my own studio to record music.