Student: Jennifer Morones Almaguer
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Jennifer will be attending the University of Notre Dame and will be majoring in computer engineering. She eventually wants to work as a software developer for Microsoft or Google while working on her master’s degree in aerospace engineering.
GPS Focus: GROWTH, PRIDE, & SERVICE
What Makes Jennifer #BulldogSTRONG: At Golden Valley High School, students are #BulldogSTRONG through demonstration of GROWTH, PRIDE, and SERVICE in the classroom, on campus, and in the community. Suffice to stay, there are many, many students that exemplify the core elements of being #BulldogSTRONG in one fashion or another, but rare is the student that exemplifies them at an elite level. For Golden Valley Senior Jennifer Morones Almaguer, she is the nonpareil exemplar of what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG through GROWTH, PRIDE, & SERVICE. GROWTH. Some of the key attributes in which a student demonstrates GROWTH is by always giving 100%, honoring commitments, and being a lifelong learner. Academically, Jennifer has done exactly that as a student at GVHS. While being enrolled in primarily GATE, Honors, and Advanced Placement classes, Jennifer has earned a staggering 4.466 GPA in the most rigorous courses that GVHS has to offer. On top of her impressive GPA, Jennifer has passed three of the most challenging AP Tests with topnotch scores: AP European History (5) AP Spanish Language (5) and AP US History (4). Jennifer is quick to recognize the efforts of her teachers and staff that helped her achieve such outstanding academic success. “Golden Valley High School is a special place for me because of the wonderful and helpful teachers and administrators,” humbly comments Jennifer, “They are patient and enthusiastic about what they do, and they go out of their way to help in any way they can.” One teacher Jennifer is appreciative of is Mrs. Tracy Costa, who was her AP European History teacher. “Mrs. Costa was an excellent teacher who pushed us to improve our writing skills and prepare us for the exam,” comments Jennifer, “This information and work ethic that I gained will be with me for the rest of my life and will help me achieve the level of success that I have.”
PRIDE. Some of the ways in which students show PRIDE are by promoting a positive self image, being a Bulldog, and making good choices that benefit the school. For four years, Jennifer has been an active participant in GVHS ASB Student Leadership where she has served in the following positions: Freshman Class Treasurer, Sophomore Class Treasurer, Commissioner of Technology, and File Clerk. During her junior year, Jennifer was the Copy Editor for the Golden Age Yearbook because she wanted other students to take PRIDE in being a Bulldog. Jennifer further showed her PRIDE in being a Bulldog by participating in cross country for three years, being an active member of both the AVID and Match Clubs, and simply going to events that GVHS has to offer. For Jennifer, finding balance between academics and student life is of vital importance. “Some advice I would give to my classmates is to remain on top of your classes and to develop solid study habits and a strong work ethic in all of your subjects, since these abilities will benefit you in the next few years as your classes get harder and time-consuming,” states Jennifer, “However, don't forget to join a club, participate in sports, take on leadership roles, and attend school events to become active and meet new people.”
SERVICE. Some of the ways in which students show service are by making positive contributions, being helpful, and by being a good citizen and Jennifer has done exactly that as a student at GVHS. Jennifer was chosen to participate in the Ford Dream Builder program where she was able to start a community service initiative called Hope for Our Heroes, in which she prepared a resource brochure for Kern County veterans. As a result of her efforts, she was able to attend a Bakersfield Council Meeting, where Major Goh issued a proclamation declaring the first week of January as Hope for Our Heroes Week and her team received the Community Impacted Award at the Ford Dream Builder Event Night. Jennifer has also volunteered her time at Sacred Heart Church as a teacher’s assistant where she engages with and teaches younger students to be faithful, decent people. Jennifer has been active at GVHS in the Interact Club, which focuses on community service projects and was part of S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco) to provide community resources to those that need support in substance abuse. For all of her efforts in demonstrating GROWTH, PRIDE, and SERVICE at elite levels, Jennifer was only of three students across Kern County that was accepted to the prestigious University of Notre Dame and not only was she admitted, she has a full academic scholarship where she will be studying computer engineering. Jennifer wants to be remembered as a Bulldog that set the example for others to follow. “When I graduate from Golden Valley, I want to be recognized as a committed leader who was able to challenge herself and achieve her aspirations, as well as a hard worker who was able to challenge herself and follow her dreams.” For demonstrating elite levels of GROWTH, PRIDE, and SERVICE allowing her to earn a full academic scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, Jennifer Morones Almaguer is #BulldogSTRONG.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Jennifer: "#BulldogSTRONG to me means someone who wants to be better and contributes 100% or more in school and in the community. It is also someone who overcomes failure and gets back up to work hard to reach their goals and someone who takes action to improve themselves academically and personally.”
What Teachers and Staff Think of Jennifer:
“It is my great honor to write a few words to describe an outstanding student and human being: Jennifer Morones Almaguer. As her Math Analysis teacher, I have witnessed the tremendous growth that Jennifer has experienced throughout the academic year! Her growth mindset, humility, and grit are unique! She is committed to excellence in her academics, as evidenced in the list of math courses she has undertaken! On top of that, the service she provides to the community (from placing chairs down in the classroom to collecting socks for the vulnerable people in our community) is phenomenal! Her kindness and leadership in the Math Club only demonstrate that she has an unlimited potential to go super far in life! It is for these reasons that Jennifer Morones Almaguer is #BulldogSTRONG!” Luis Jauregui, Mathematics Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Jennifer is focused, intense, fierce, kind, and loyal in all the right ways. She could pretty much lead any organization or project she wants.” Aaron Wright, Government and Economics Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Jennifer has a natural skepticism which serves her well in her academic studies: she questions, digs deeper, and has a great deal of intellectual curiosity. Her work ethic is also exemplary. It was great to have her in class!” Terri Richmond, Social Studies Department Chair, Golden Valley High School
“Jennifer is the embodiment of what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG. Her dedication to academics is beyond compare. She is as focused a student as I have ever known. She somehow also manages to participate in athletics over years, and has been an important, and hard-working, part of the Student Leadership program as well. Her future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes as she begins her collegiate career.” Valerie Black, Activities Director, Golden Valley High School
“I met Jennifer last summer when she reached out to me about college deadlines and what she needed to do even before her senior year started. Since then, I have witnessed her hard work and dedication. She has worked extremely hard not only academically but, in the clubs, and organizations she’s part of inside and outside of school. Jennifer is an amazing student and with no doubt #BulldogSTRONG!” Karla Gomez, College and Career Guidance Technician, Golden Valley High School
“While I never had the chance to see Jennifer face-to-face during distance learning last year, it was easy to recognize her as a hardworking and dedicated student in my AP Language and Composition class. Jennifer loves reading and writing, and it showed in the quality of her work. She is a committed #BulldogSTRONG leader on our campus, and she deserves to be recognized for her achievements. I have no doubt that she will thrive in college next year and beyond because she will commit herself wholeheartedly to her goals and worth with passion and dedication to achieve them.” Karen Bastain, AP English Language Composition Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Jennifer is the epitome of #BulldogStrong. She is one of the most focused students I have met and that focus has paid off. Her hard work has been rewarded with a scholarship to Notre Dame where she will be studying computer engineering. Her academic achievements are only rivaled by her service. SWAT, ASB, Dream Builders, Leaders in Life, and a plethora of other activities to build our community. She recently spoke to our city council on youth smoking and vaping. I have been fortunate to have her for two classes this year where she has impressed me with her brilliance and work ethic. Truly an amazing young woman!” Judiah Hopkins, AP Physics Teacher and Project Lead the Way Teacher, Golden Valley High School