Hannah Nasluchacz
The beginning of my freshman year I thought I would be in a totally different place to where I am now. I wanted to take millions of honors and AP classes, join thousands of clubs, and participate in the most activities I possibly could, but that simply did not happen. Instead I chose clubs that specifically suited my passions and interests. I am glad that I spent my high school years finding a passion for dance, joining Dance Collective my freshman year, despite it being less active due to Covid. I stuck with it up to the end of high school, with the latter three years involving participation in shows, master classes, and community events. My favorite experience from the club, as well as the program as a whole, would have to be choreographing to the song “Waving Through A Window” from the musical “Dear Evan Hanson” for my last show in April. The one accomplishment that will stick with me forever was being the first student to go through the Dance and Movement applications CTE pathway, by taking it all four years of high school.
Even though it has been routine to show up to school everyday for all 4 years, I will not miss the deafening sound of the bell in the locker room, the crowds of people, or the strange lunch schedule. I am excited to start my journey outside the safety net of high school, where I will be working towards a degree in Mathematics (that’s the current plan, at least) from the University of California, Riverside.
I will always miss Mrs. Fulwider, the biggest influence and role model in my life. She has been the most wonderful advocate and supporter of not only my life, but for all of her students. I only wish I could have formed a relationship with her before my senior year. I have been writing for Spotlight since my junior year. During this period I have had the privilege of writing all sorts of articles, my favorite article being “You’re a Wizard Harry” where I reported about the Wizarding World Club. I got to display the club leaders and bring people with common interests closer together.
My time at Poly has been memorable, to say the least. I got to participate in the Homecoming court, be a club president, write for the Poly Spotlight, perform in plays and musicals, dance and choreography for shows, be an honors escort for the class of 2023, and make strong friendships that I would have never expected. As I leave this school I urge the remaining students to only participate in activities and clubs you are passionate about. Working hard is a key aspect of school, but enjoying it is far more important. Overloading your schedule with activities that don’t bring you joy is harmful in the long run, and is not the way I would want to spend high school. Leave the hard work for your classes, and participate in clubs that come easy to you.
I am proud of myself for being a part of Poly’s graduating class of 2024. It was fun while it lasted, but now it is time to go on and find myself in the real world.
Holly Pulley
Hello! My name is Holly, and I’m a senior at Poly High School! I have been a writer for Poly’s Spotlight Newspaper for three years now, and first joined after my freshman year in quarantine. I have had such a memorable time in Spotlight. I met one of my best friends, Amelia Chavez, in my first year as a staff writer, and though we no longer share the same love for Spotlight, we still have love for one another. I have also been on the Poly High volleyball team for the entirety of my high school career, starting on the Junior Varsity team my sophomore year, then promoting to the Varsity team in my junior year and senior year. Sports are an incredible outlet for stress, and making friends, and dealing with the hardships of young life. I’ve also met so many amazing people, including my best friend ever, Valeria Moreno. She, along with all of my friends, have made going to high school so much easier. The teachers are pretty cool as well, one in particular who is no longer physically here, but always with me in my heart. Mrs. Rahman, my junior math teacher. She was a delightful person full of determination and wit, and though she is gone, she is the reason I want to pursue a career in education.
I don’t know yet where I will go to college, but I do know that I am going, and majoring in English! I love to write, and my dream is to become an English professor. I want to study English and African American literature in college, if possible, and teach young black aspiring writers how to cultivate their imaginations to put on paper. The world needs more writers of color, and I’d love to be able to contribute to that.
The best advice I could give to new and old students of Poly is to just be yourself. Cringe is a popular buzzword nowadays, but ultimately it’s used to keep people in boxes. Don’t let yourself be shamed and ridiculed into hiding who you are. Find people that understand you and trust you. Find friends that want to be around you, and love you for who you are, and not what society wants you to be. Love yourself because you are absolutely worth it. By some scientific or spiritual miracle, you were born with your soul and your heart and your complex brain and strong body. Love every part of yourself, especially in times where life passes you by, seemingly not giving you any time to do so.
I will miss Poly, but I am excited for change. I know that whatever path I take, I will be happy, because there is also joy to be found in life, and I like to think I’m optimistic when it counts. Goodbye, Poly High! Keep slaying!
Isabel Yrungaray
I am Isabel Yrungaray, a senior at Poly High School. With graduation coming in just a few short days, I have realized how grateful I am to have had this experience, and I cannot imagine the last four years of my life without this campus. Next year, I will be attending UC Berkeley and majoring in education.
I have been a member of Spotlight for two years, and I have loved the way it allows me to connect with others and write about those connections. Aside from that, I have kept busy during my time. This year I was able to serve as ASB President and I have participated in water polo, swim team, National Honor Society, and a club I created called NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Despite being busy, my time has truly been spent doing the things I love. Through everything, I have learned. I have learned the basis of calculus, how to write a complex argumentative essay, how to translate between English and Spanish, and how to turn a chemical the perfect pink color. Most importantly, I have learned to connect with those around me. This past year, my favorite teacher Ms. Rahman passed away. She never failed to make me feel heard and always reminded me to stay confident. I was overcome with shock and struggled to keep going in her absence. However, I have learned to enjoy every moment I have with the people I love. Life is fragile and I am so blessed to be where I am.
At Poly I have met my three best friends — Savi, Karol, and Sydnee. We have baked delicious treats, taken beach days, gone to Disneyland, and been through so much together. We all care for each other and I will always know they are there for me. Through the swim team I have also had the opportunity to coach some of Poly’s Special Education students, Marc and Chase. Marc and Chase are always smiling, cheering, and looking forward to the next thing. We have truly fostered a connection with each other, and they have taught me to enjoy the present moment. If I could start over, I would remind myself to savor every moment. Even in hard times, I can be reminded that joy and pain are equally as fleeting, and that is part of what makes life so special.
ASB has taught me my passion for making others happy. I have become the leader of making all balloon arches and have blown up countless balloons to celebrate the accomplishments of others. I have attended a variety of sporting events, planned activities, and worked to facilitate fun for as many people as possible. I look forward to my next four years at Berkeley, finding my passion, and connecting with those around me. High school taught me that I am a lifelong learner, and there is so much ahead of me. Through every experience I have there is an opportunity to grow, and I hope I hold onto this.