Student: Emily Nebre
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Emily plans on attending Bakersfield College to earn her associate's degree. She dreams of working for Disney as an animator and owning a flower shop.
GPS Focus: GROWTH & PRIDE
What Makes Emily #BulldogSTRONG: GROWTH is the process of development and improvement over time. It can refer to personal growth, such as developing new skills or increased self-awareness. As part of the visual arts classes at Golden Valley High School, Emily appreciates the opportunity to focus solely on her art and challenge herself with new ideas and mediums. Her goal with each piece of art is to surprise herself and create something she can be proud of. Emily is passionate about art and loves the details and emotions that she can convey through her artwork; she finds immense satisfaction in completing a piece that she has invested so much time and effort into. She has learned that patience and commitment are vital to creating incredible art. PRIDE is a feeling of satisfaction and self-respect that comes from achieving something or being associated with something valued or respected. Emily has been a part of the swim team for all four years and the team captain for the past two years. The swim team has significantly impacted Emily and helped her form new friendships and develop her leadership skills. "The swim team has always, and always will, hold a special place in my heart." Emily comments, "It also taught me how to be a leader and helped me become more social." In addition, her floral design participation highlights her creativity and willingness to explore new interests. Emily's involvement in art, floral design, and the swim team has positively impacted her time at Golden Valley. She has made new friends, developed leadership and social skills, and discovered new passions. Similarly, Emily's teachers have significantly impacted her experience at Golden Valley and helped shape her academic and personal growth. Emily has had several influential teachers during her time at GVHS. These teachers include Mr. Gyll, Mr. Wherry, Mr. Johnston, Mrs. McKellar, Mrs. Nieblas, Mrs. Bledsoe-Santaella, and Mr. Hansen. She describes these teachers as real when communicating with their students rather than just lecturing. Emily believes these teachers are genuinely concerned about their students' success. "I feel as though these teachers were actually concerned about my peers and me."
In March, Emily Nebre was awarded Best of Show at the Bakersfield Art Association Youth Art Show.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Emily: "#BulldogSTRONG means being kind to everyone around you and helping whenever possible. It also means being respectful to anyone and everyone you encounter. It means never giving up and always having faith in yourself."
What Teachers and Staff Think of Emily:
"Emily is currently in my Advanced Art class. I have had the honor of being her teacher for both her junior and senior years, respectfully. Emily is a great example of what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG. She has shown #GROWTH throughout her four years at Golden Valley and continues to constantly make improvements in her artwork. She strives to learn and apply new techniques as part of her growth as an artist. Emily has shown #PRIDE in every project she completes. She has also shown pride in her school as she has represented GV in several galleries and art museums. Emily recently won the prestigious Best of Show Award for the National Art Educators art show for Youth Art Month. The show was held at the Bakersfield Art Association and was a competition that was open to all art students in Kern County. Her painting entitled Help will now move on to compete nationally. Emily has also participated in the Italian Street Painting Festival, Via Arte, which is hosted by the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Emily has shown #SERVICE in her willingness to help anyone in need. She is quick to offer help to both students and staff. Emily is an incredible young person that is a pleasure to work with, and I am excited to see what she accomplishes in the future." Aaron Wherry, Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair and Assistant Dean, Golden Valley High School
"Emily is a second-year floral design student. She was a stand-out kid last year as she was genuinely interested in the art and science of floral design. The thing that makes Emily Bulldog Strong is her natural artistic eye, methodical and concise workmanship with every project she gets her hands on. She’s always doing her best work possible, no rushing through, no careless, “lets-just-throw-it-together.” She is always kind, very mature, and professional. A high-quality student I am so proud of her and so appreciative that I got to have her for two years in my Floral Classes." Katy Nieblas, FFA and Floral Design Teacher, Golden Valley High School
"Emily Nebre is a bright, kind, and hard working young woman who demonstrates what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG on a daily basis. She demonstrates GROWTH as a learner by giving her best effort every day, and she does thoughtful coursework in AP Government as well. Emily also demonstrates PRIDE as a learner by being active in campus activities representing our school with her artwork and as a member of our Swim Team. Moreover, she demonstrates SERVICE in class by making positive contributions, treating her peers & teachers with kindness, and being a good citizen in our community. Truly, Emily has made a positive impact in my class, around campus, and she will continue to make positive contributions as she continues in life." John Hansen, Government/Economics Teacher and We The People Coach, Golden Valley High School
"Emily is an exceptional student. She works hard to complete her work, and she is not afraid to ask questions. In addition to being a hard worker in class, she is a motivated athlete. She is on the swim team, and she is a positive role model for the team. She is definitely #BulldogStrong." Rebecca Bledsoe-Santaella, English Teacher, Golden Valley High School
"Emily is a big part of our swim team. With us having a new coach each of the last three years she is one if the constants in our program. She a leader in and out of the pool. She has been a inspiration to all of her fellow swimmers and coaches ." Robert Haskell, Athletic Director, Golden Valley High School