Written By: Sakura Snyder, Staff Writer
INSPIRING: A spotlight on the diligent senior Samantha Sierra, as she goes into depth about her compelling past and promising future.
The 2023-2024 school year coming to an end means that many beloved seniors must bid their final goodbyes to Poly—Samantha Sierra being one of them. As an exceptional leader, academic, and individual, Sierra shares her personal experiences from Poly as well as her plans after graduation.
Contrary to the typical high school first day experience, Sierra’s case happened to be more unique. In 2020, the pandemic shut the entire world down and confined education to tiny screens, meaning Sierra had to virtually attend her first day of high school. Despite her freshman year experience not being in person, she still remembered her restless attitude about entering Poly like yesterday. “I was nervous to put on my camera,” she explained.
Over the years though, Sierra’s tension about school had undergone a transformation into something else—ambition. Sierra’s devotion to extracurriculars and academics at Poly is undoubtable proof of her ambitious character. In her senior year, she became the president of Interact club, where she essentially revived the club. Though she first joined the club there were very few people involved, it is now flourishing with “almost one hundred members.” Out of the multitude of events she has organized for the club so far, Sierra’s favorite event is their own beach cleanup. “We planned [the event] with two other clubs at Poly…[and were able] to get a bus and funding from ASB,” Sierra stated. She proudly added that during this event, Interact club picked up “100 pounds in 4 hours.” Incorporating both fun and hard work, Sierra’s devotion to the community is undoubtedly clear. Aside from Interact club, she has also juggled playing sports, working a job, and actively participating in other clubs in her spare time. Furthermore, she managed to take an impressive course load of five AP classes in her senior year, which is simply astonishing.
This ambition didn’t come from just anywhere, however. Being a first generation citizen in this country, Sierra expressed that her roots had a big impact on her work ethic throughout high school. “My family came here for a reason…and so I knew [from the start] that I needed to make something of myself,” she thoughtfully revealed.
Sierra’s efforts throughout high school weren’t wasted in the slightest, for she will now become the first in her family to attend college. Committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a proud mustang in the fall, Sierra plans to pursue the field of mechanical engineering and join an FSA program. Though she is a little bit nervous for the big chance, Sierra is passionately driven by her ultimate goal—which is to eventually work on Formula One cars.
When asked about whether or not she had any words of advice for incoming freshmen and current students at Poly, Sierra emphasized the importance of aspirations. “As long as you shoot for the stars, you’re going to end up somewhere good,” she explained. The story of Sierra’s captivating story encapsulates the very concept of dreams being accomplished. We’re rooting for you, Sierra!