WHSAD’s Junior of the Month for February is Brandon Ortega. Brandon’s ability to develop sophisticated thoughts and convey such thoughts in both written and spoken media make him a paragon of habits and intellect. Because of his diligence and depth, Brandon is a consistent member of the gold honor roll and can be consistently counted on to present exemplary work. Mr. Rodriguez, Brandon’s English teacher, says, “Brandon is thoughtful, always prepared, constantly thinking critically, extremely thorough, and conscientious. Brandon raises the bar of any class he is a part of!!” Below, Brandon shares his thoughts about his experiences at WHSAD, what he has gained from his time here, and why he believes he was nominated.
My goals in WHSAD are to get amazing grades and participate more in class.Getting good grades and more generally doing well has always been the main goal for me not just in school but in life. Participating as a whole is something that over the years I have most definitely become more and more accustomed to and comfortable with. The experience at WHSAD is what I believe allows me to participate and feel not only welcomed but acknowledged. Participating has become more than just answering or asking a question but creating thoughtful in class discussions that leave a lasting impact in our minds. I believe that these discussions, and the comfortableness that I can personally confide in, is all thanks to the students and teachers alike who make the WHSAD experience very special. Teachers truly help create an environment where I can not only learn but also I feel at ease and not so stressed out as many would believe that a classroom would often do. I believe that I was chosen because of my diligence and dedication, on every assignment I do I push myself beyond the limit. I keep going and when faced with a problem, I won’t give up but instead try to find new ways to fix and improve upon my errors. My favorite classes are Math, English, and Science not only because I’m good at them but because I’ve always had a strong interest in applying what I learn in class into the real world. Science and Math offer a unique learning experience, and I believe that learning all of this now will prove beneficial to me way after my high school academic career, not just in college but in my chosen career field. My main aspiration for after graduation has been and still is to go to college. College is a gateway to many possibilities and career fields that will help enrich my life. I am especially grateful for WHSAD as it has allowed me to not only prepare for college but evolve into both a better student and person. WHSAD has given me something other schools wouldn’t always do. I have choices and options, and it doesn’t have to only be college after high school; it could be so much more career-wise, and WHSAD has helped me and so many others realize that.