Student: D’Anthony Wilson
Year in School: Freshman
Plans After High School: D’Anthony wants to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and has aspirations of purchasing a large ranch in order to house and nurture rescued animals.
GPS Focus: PRIDE & SERVICE
What Makes D’Anthony #BulldogSTRONG: With the start of the 2020-2021 school year and the ill effects of a global pandemic still presenting a dark cloud over the world, students from all over the Kern High School District, because of health and safety reasons, were forced into a virtual environment in which they had to learn the nuances Canvas, Zoom, Synergy, and many other web based programs. As a result of distance learning, some students felt overwhelmed, disengaged, and uncertain of how to navigate this new way of learning behind a computer screen. However, there are some students that view this virtual environment as an opportunity to help to provide a bright spot and SERVE their fellow classmates - such is the case for Golden Valley High School Freshman, D’Anthony Wilson. Like all freshmen, D’Anthony has yet to step foot inside a classroom at GVHS, but that has not deterred him from making an immediate impact on his peers. When students were struggling with accessing their Zoom accounts and meetings with their teachers early in the school year, D’Anthony took it upon himself to create a step by step video on how to authenticate their accounts in order to alleviate the stress that some students were having. After making this thoughtful resource,, D’Anthony courageously submitted it to administration and as a result, the video was featured on the GVHS YouTube Channel and has received over 500 views to date - an indicator that this video provided necessary support to students at GVHS. As a result of the success of D’Anthony’s video, GVHS administration approached D’Anthony about creating a video to help students access their grades in Canvas and Synergy. Not only did D’Anthony create a very informative video for students on how to view their grades, he concluded it with a hearty, “Go Bulldogs!!!!”
With the PRIDE he has in being a Bulldog through such an exclamation and in his commitment to the SERVICE and support of his classmates, D’Anthony ran for Freshman Class President and was elected by his peers. D’Anthony ran for a student leadership position because he believes that any student can make a difference, no matter what their background is or what the color of their skin may be. “I have learned that not everything is going to be easy and there will be challenges,” passionately states D’Anthony, “Part of being #BulldogSTRONG is the ability to overcome those obstacles and challenges that come our way. And ANY student can SERVE in a leadership position.” Leadership for D’Anthony is defined by a person that is caring, understanding, does not judge others, and is there for people when they have a need or simply to talk to when they are down. This holiday season, D’Anthony has taken to help organize and run Toys For Tots at Golden Valley High School which is part of a nationwide effort to distribute toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. “I think it is so important to give back to our community because not everyone is as blessed as I am,” humbly comments D’Anthony, “Some students may not have a roof over their heads, clothes on their back, and I just want to do my best so ALL children can be happy this Christmas.” For the PRIDE he in being Freshman Class President and in his commitment to SERVICE as demonstrated in his how to videos and efforts in organizing Toys For Tots, D’Anthony Wilson is #BulldogSTRONG.
As part of our effort in contributing to Toys For Tots, GVHS will be collecting new and unwrapped toys Monday-Friday from 8-3:30pm at the front administration building. The last day to donate toys will be Thursday, December 17, 2020.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to D’Anthony: "#BulldogSTRONG means to me that we should stay strong, do good on and off campus, and show everyone how you can have self-control. It also means that we should be humble and know when we are wrong in order to fix mistakes.”
What Teachers and Staff Think of D’Anthony:
"D’Anthony is a natural leader! He is always willing to help others in class as well as assist me with clarifying instructions to the whole class when I’m assisting individual students. He always keeps a positive attitude, is always trying to put a smile on everyone’s faces, and he displays many qualities of being #BulldogSTRONG. With his determination, optimism, hard work and perseverance, I have no doubt that D’Anthony will always rise above and be successful in anything he chooses to do.” Melissa Waldrop, English Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“D’Anthony is our Freshmen Class President and a part of the Leadership program at GVHS. In a short time, and from a distance, he has already established himself as a big part of your student leadership culture. He has helped make tutorial videos for the school, offered to help orchestrate our Toys for Tots toy drive, offered to help me with various tech issues, and is in general just a very nice young man. I am excited to have him in our program, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of his high school career will bring!” Valerie Black, Activities Director and Cheer Advisor, Golden Valley High School
"D’Anthony is a polite and respectful student. He works hard in the (virtual) classroom and isn´t afraid to ask for help. But what sticks out to me most about D’Anthony is that he goes above and behind to help out his fellow classmates. Whether it be in zoom chat or by making helpful tutorials for our students to navigate distance learning, D’Anthony is a shining example of #BulldogSTRONG." Mike Mowinski, Earth Science Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“D'Anthony is the epitome of #BulldogSTRONG. He never fails to demonstrate pride by greeting his classmates with "GOOD MORNING BULLDOGS", every zoom session. He also provides help to me or his classmates when needed. He is a great student and has true potential to be a phenomenal leader.” Danielle Madrid, PE Teacher, Volleyball and Basketball Coach, Golden Valley High School
“D'Anthony Wilson was a student of mine in the first quarter but due to a needed schedule change, he was switched to a different class and I must admit my response was NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! D'Anthony is kind to his classmates, quick to help his peers especially when they are having computer issues, he has a great sense of humor and gives feedback that is constructive. He soon became the voice that represented what others wanted to say but were too uncomfortable. D'Anthony is a good example of what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG. Way to go D'Anthony!” Daina Kiesel, PE Teacher, Golden Valley High School