Student: Keyla Tamayo Lopez
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Keyla wantd to attend Bakersfield College for two years and then California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). Wants to become a Human Rights lawyer.
GPS Focus: GROWTH & SERVICE
What Makes Keyla #BulldogSTRONG: At the age of 9 and just a 3rd grader, Keyla Tamayo Lopez and her family moved to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico with aspirations of a better life and more opportunities. However, Keyla faced some obstacles when she arrived to the United States in the city of Bakersfield, CA. “I knew very little English when I moved here,” remembers Keyla, “I also didn’t know much Spanish either. I was lacking some basic skills in both languages and in my academics overall.” Despite her early struggles, Keyla worked hard to overcome those obstacles as she received academic support classes at Valle Verde Elementary School and Ollivier Middle School. Upon entering Golden Valley High School as a freshman, Keyla was still working hard to get caught up with her classmates as she still received additional support to help her be successful. Through perseverance and grit, Keyla was able to overcome those learning obstacles and as a result, she was able to phase out of her support classes to enroll in College Prep and Advanced Placement classes, earning a 3.747 GPA in the process. Keyla credits the GVHS staff for her success that she has achieved in the classroom. “Staff are very approachable at Golden Valley,” comments Keyla, “They truly want all students to succeed as they work to find solutions to your problems. Teachers genuinely care about students.” One such teacher that pushed Keyla was Larry Bluemel, Modern Language Department Chair, as he was the one that gave challenged her to enroll in AP classes. “I hadn’t considered it,” states Keyla, “But when Mr. Bluemel told me that I was ready for AP classes after taking his summer school class, I decided to give it a chance.”
In addition to her academic GROWTH and success, Keyla has a heart for SERVICE. As a junior, Keyla was an active member of the Kern High School District Police Activities League (PAL) where she performed 142 hours of community service for the Blessing Corner, Camp Hamilton, Trunk or Treat events across Kern County, Kern County Alzeihmer’s Walk, and in writing Christmas cards for the elderly. In the fall, Keyla donated her time to help identity players and spot check for the voice of Golden Valley, Darren Buckey, during all home football games. Keyla also works about ten hours a week at American Lien Sales as she files paperwork for large businesses and corporations. Furthermore, in her “free” time she volunteers at her aunt’s salon or helps family friends working on cars. With all of the time that she gives in to helping others, academics are still most important to her because she has aspirations of greatness. “I want to be a Human Rights lawyer one day and help more people,” comments Keyla, “I have worked hard to get where I am at and I have developed a system of always trying to stay ahead in my work. I feel relieved when I know that I have given my best effort and that drives me to succeed.” For the tremendous GROWTH she has shown academically and in her commitment to SERVICE, Keyla Tamayo Lopez is #BulldogSTRONG.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Keyla: "#BulldogSTRONG means that we should always help others. It also means that we should not give up when times are tough because there are teachers at Golden Valley that will always help you. #BulldogSTRONG means that you stay focused on your main goal in life.”
What Teachers Think of the Keyla:
"Keyla has a work ethic that puts us all to shame. She is very organized and very conscientious about her studies. She has a great deal of intellectual curiosity as well. She is wonderful to have in class!” Terri Richmond, Social Studies Department Chair and WASC Coordinator, Golden Valley High School
"Keyla comes in every morning with a positive attitude and an infectious smile. She steps up goes above and beyond to help her classmates, gives great advice to help those in need and her continued efforts keeping the classroom and campus clean do not go unnoticed and make her #BulldogSTRONG!” Nicole Rojas, Instructional Assistant, Golden Valley High School
“You don’t have to talk to Keyla for very long to realize that you are speaking with someone who has a lot of compassion and empathy for others. As a sophomore and junior Keyla worked tirelessly with PAL, logging over 200 hours of community service. Her commitment to helping others has led her to choose the career goal of becoming a Human Rights Attorney. In addition to exemplifying SERVICE, Keyla also exemplifies GROWTH. She began high school as an English Learner student. Her commitment to her studies led her to quickly reclassify and challenge herself by taking higher level courses, including AP classes. Keyla is truly #BulldogSTRONG! ” Jane Hurttgam, Title 1 and ELD Coordinator, Golden Valley High School
“Keyla Tamayo epitomizes all facets of GPS and #BulldogStrong. I’ve had the absolute honor and privilege of being her teacher for the last few years. In that time I’ve watched “Keyla has shown GROWTH as she moved from EL and academic support classes to taking, and excelling in honors and AP classes. She shows Pride in her class and campus by taking all of her school work seriously and actively attacking all of her assignments with tireless and inquisitive mind. She’s always shown great pride in the classroom, helping students and substitute teachers, and, if ever she is short on classwork, Keyla will find something to clean and organize. (This is a great help to a teacher as messy as I am.) She shows Service to others on a daily basis and is always willing to offer assistance to friend and stranger alike. She assisted me and served the school by being a spotter during Golden Valley football games. In short, Keyla is a fantastic example of what a driven, motivated, kind, and selfless individual can accomplish. I have no doubts that Keyla will be able to accomplish ANYTHING she puts her mind to.” Darren Buckey, Learning Coach & Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Keyla Tamayo-Lopez is one of Golden Valley’s shining stars. Every day and in every way she is #BulldogSTRONG and she exhibits Growth, Pride, and Service in the classroom, around campus, and in the community. As a learner she is diligent, studious, helpful, reliable, and probably most impressively she is intellectually inquisitive. Her questions during coursework or current events show depth of thought and after discussions with her she develops complex and in-depth insight as a learner. Sincerely I have appreciated the opportunity to be one of her teachers and to watch her grow as a learner.” John Hansen, Government Teacher and We The People Coach, Golden Valley High School