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With local high schools holding their commencement ceremonies this week, the Voice wanted to hear from graduating seniors about what their high school experience has been like.
Below is a Q&A interview with Alta Vista High School senior Luis Briano Aleman, who looked back on his time at the continuation high school. Answers have been edited for style and clarity.
What is your favorite memory from high school?
My favorite memory from high school would probably be the online classes my freshman year, because they were so chaotic but really fun to attend. Although they were difficult, I really enjoyed the remote learning experience.
There was always something going on with somebody acting up, or my friends and I joining each other’s classes. Although it was rough to get through, for the most part, my friends and I made the most of it.
What’s a word that describes your senior year?
“Awesome,” because I got to make all these connections with successful people who have been through similar paths as mine. I also met people who could give me advice about my future, and help me find a lot of opportunities I would not have been able to have access to at a different school.
Another word to describe my senior year would be “comeback,” because when I first got to Alta Vista, I wasn’t even going to graduate. Now, I have all these scholarships and even graduated with 4.5 credits more the total amount I needed. My experience at Alta Vista has been nothing but fun and great.
What song defines your senior year?
Call me basic, but out of all the songs, I think “Where’d all the time go?” by Dr. Dog best defines it, because it felt like just yesterday I was a freshman logging into my first online class. High school went by in the blink of an eye, which is fearsome but also exciting because of what the future has in store for me.
Which class do you think prepared you most for life after high school?
Definitely the economics class I took my senior year because it’s one of the more important things to learn for the real world. Also, I will be studying business at Foothill College, but if everything goes right I will transfer to UC Berkeley, or maybe even Stanford.
I’m studying business in college because I want to have my own businesses when I’m older. Taking economics really prepared me for that. Studying business empowers people with the knowledge, skills and connections to thrive in today’s dynamic world. Whether I aspire to climb the corporate ladder, launch my own businesses or simply gain a deeper understanding of how the business world operates, a business education can provide a solid foundation for success.
Finish this sentence: “In 10 years I’m going to be…”
A successful businessman doing TedX talks.
What’s the top piece of advice that you would give to incoming high schoolers?
Stay organized, prioritize academics, get involved, ask for help, explore interests, build good relationships and plan for the future.
What are you most proud of accomplishing or overcoming in high school?
I’m most proud of getting scholarships, including from Kiwanis and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, and walking the stage at graduation.
I am also proud of overcoming obstacles, including having the credits of a freshman as a junior, guidance counselors saying I’m not ready for AP classes and people that said I wouldn’t graduate. Despite all of that, I persevered and locked in. I prevailed and did what most, including myself, thought was impossible.
I did it thanks to my teachers at Alta Vista because they believed in me and pushed me to do my best every single day. I found success by being disciplined and determined to succeed.
Check out this year’s list of Alta Vista High School graduates and read our article about the graduation ceremony.
For all of our graduation coverage, go to our central graduation page.