Warm applause rings throughout the gym during the Senior Awards on June 4 as Principal Mary Jo King presents medals to this year’s honorary speakers for the 2014 graduating class, Youanna Halaka and Paulina Lin.
“I was so shocked, and at first I thought they were calling my twin sister,” Halaka said. “She looked at me and said, ‘You made it, silly! They’re calling you.’”
To be eligible for the position, seniors must have an unweighted GPA of 3.9 or higher. The applicants then wrote essays of intent, submitted resumes and attended interviews.
“My family and my incredible group of friends have all been very supportive of me,” Lin said. “It’s also teachers like Frau that have taught me to find my voice, ask questions and seek what makes me truly happy.”
Not only are Lin and Halaka positive academic role models, but they are also involved in multiple extracurriculars and activities outside of school.
Lin has been a member of the Varsity Girls Volleyball Team for four years and Club Volleyball for five years, volunteers for the Methodist Hospital and actively participates in Class Council, Link Crew and Lego Club.
Halaka tutors other students in a variety of subjects, is an active member of Red Cross, Pre-Med Society, Peer Listening and volunteers her time at health clinics. Both students are committed to the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation.
“Even though I have been bullied by many of my peers who had unpopular beliefs about me, I still found a way to achieve so many things,” Halaka said. “I feel like it’s my duty to represent those who are underrepresented.”
Both students have had their own bittersweet high school experiences. Lin transferred from a small private school, and the transition was far from easy.
“I was scared and nervous coming to the high school,” Lin said. “But I’ve developed such great friendships over these past few years. Leaving will be bittersweet, but I’m excited to move on and try new things.”
Halaka wants to pursue a career in dentistry, and Lin wants to major in molecular cellular developmental biology. Both want to be involved in research and help the communities around them.
TCHS School Newspaper