Senior Class of 2018

Transitioning from a private school to a more free-spirited high school, Rory’s decision to pursue live music as a full-time recreational activity was greatly influenced by the people he has met at school. “It’s a fun scene, and it’s honest, most of the time,” Rory said. “I didn’t really know any punks until my freshman year, but then I joined my first band and they took me to my ...

In Tyler Mollenkramer's four years at FUHS, he has participated in numerous sports. Mollenkramer played baseball his freshman and sophomore year, and wrestled freshman through senior year. Tyler enjoyed wrestling more because it made a significant impact on his high school career. “I will definitely miss wrestling because it made me more disciplined and stronger person,” said Mollenkramer....

Lauren Le reflects on her experience at Fullerton as eye-opening, stressful, and unforgettable. Le is really grateful to have participated on the Varsity tennis team for all four years because she was able to meet amazing friends. “It made me realize that I can count on my team to help me get through hard times,” said Le, who has been playing tennis for 12 years. Considering tennis h...

Senior Kaya Ortega is phenomenal both in and out of the water. Ortega is strong player of the varsity girls water polo team. “Water Polo has been the biggest part of my high school career and it has helped me become a better athlete and person,” Ortega said.   On top of water polo, Ortega is involved in numerous extracurriculars. “I have been a part of quite a few extracurriculars in...

Ben Lopez reminisces about his days, good and bad, in high school. “It’s definitely been tough, junior year was probably the hardest year, getting used to all the AP classes, then it died down this year. It got better every year as I got used to [high school] and got more comfortable. I had a lot of fun,” Lopez said.   Along with being academically successful, Lopez is an accomplished swimmer, with hi...

Michael Laverde is not the same person he was when he walked onto this campus four years ago, and FUHS has played a huge part in shaping him into the person he is today. Laverde’s theater career all started when he went to watch his best friend in junior high perform in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he decided to join. “And, I haven’t stopped since and now I am going to colle...

Vanessa Martinez grew up surrounded by sports. Because her dad is the football coach and her brother is her track and basketball coach, Martinez says that her family’s involvement in her sports career has been very beneficial. “I feel like my brother and dad being involved in my sports has affected me in a positive way. They are tough on me, but motivational. My dad was the football coach here ...

Kate Petrusse’s countless lessons through her involvement with Equestrian sports has made her into the strong women she is today. Petrusse is an “all-around” athlete and a World Champion Equestrian who has had a journey full of ups and downs throughout her whole high school experience; however, she has overcome those struggles, winning league for FUHS the past four years in a row. Petrusse knew...

Being a full IB student sounds extremely stressful to most students, but Michael Lee has found it to be more enjoyable than exasperating. “It was pretty fun and I don’t regret anything of it,” Lee said. A very important part of the IB program is finding a study schedule that works for you; while Lee admits he procrastinates quite a bit, he finds a way to get everything done on time while ...

After transferring from Troy High School sophomore year, Yale Yang was soon to make a presence for himself at FUHS. Gaining support from his counselors and peers, Yang was able to embed himself in a variety of programs surrounding athletics, music, and theatre. While running cross country offered a great stress reliever, Yang believes he benefited the most from his three years of choir and playi...

Emma Kramer has kept busy during her years of high school; she barely has any freetime and when she does she can be found in Plummer brushing up on her vocal skills or working on tech. Kramer is involved in the theatre program, AP/IB/Honors program, NHS/ CSF, and is the President of choir and Tri-M Music Honors Society here at FUHS. Kramer has starred in numerous theatrical performances, w...

Despite overcoming obstacles as a child, Cinthia Gonzalez Reyes has thrived during her time at FUHS, earning the title of co-valedictorian. Although she is nervous that she will have to speak in front of such a big crowd at graduation, Reyes is very happy and grateful for the opportunity. “I am beyond happy that I was able to make it through all the rigorous courses and definitely excited to represent my class...

From serving the community to completing the rigorous IB program, Emily Ong has worked hard to make her parents proud, earning herself the title of co-salutatorian. Ong took inspiration from her parents, becoming heavily involved in academic and leadership programs. “[My parents] were the first people in their families to go to college, so that’s a really big reason why I did full IB and al...

Emily Brezarich has loved just about every moment at FUHS and is grateful for all that her time here has done for her future. “I think I’ve been able to do a lot here at Fullerton. I’ve been given a lot of opportunities and I’ve had fun taking them,” Brezarich said. “For example, with journalism I was a little bit outside of my comfort zone. Journalism is a lot more social than one w...

Allison Park recently won the Disney Resort Dreamer and Doer Shining Star award for her work with human trafficking awareness and received a $1,000 grant for FUHS. This award honors students for taking action towards improving their communities through creativity and leadership. Human trafficking awareness is something that Allison is very passionate about. She uses art and photography--a few ...

Isabella Schwimmer is a hard-working, up and coming Fine Art major who is inspired by both of her parents, who are equally supportive and influential. “I’d say that my mom helped a lot with me being an artist. She was an artist and it kind of went off on me and also my dad; I like the same stuff he does with music and I think that music really helped to shape me as a person right now,” S...

Jonoven Smith may best be known for his athletic abilities, after excelling in football, basketball, and track and field throughout high school. Smith has been on Varsity Football for three years and the Varsity Football captain for two years. Due to Smith’s determination and hard work, he has received the Most Valuable Player award and First Team All League award two years in a row, the ...

Though Hayden Harkins is involved in many programs and sports, he has found his true passion in FUHS’ instrumental music program. Harkins’ role as Drum Major has taught him qualities he knows will help later in life. “It taught me how to be committed to something, leadership skills, how to work with others and to communicate and delegate,” Harkins said. While in the music program, Har...

Steena Hubbard received a full-ride scholarship to California State University East Bay for her outstanding volleyball skills. Hubbard began playing for the FUHS varsity volleyball team her freshman year and was nervous since she was still relatively new to the game. The team spirit and friendship, however, made her feel more comfortable. “I was still really new to volleyball and the girls ...

Annie Sanchez has learned a lot about life during her four years at FUHS, and has truly grown from the experience. “I definitely grew throughout high school, just like everyone does. I feel like that’s what you do in high school: you grow, you learn how to do new things. And that’s exactly what happened to me,” Sanchez said. “I’ve learned how to go beyond my comfort zone and not care ...

Dylan Nicholson’s ability to be dedicated, humble, and light hearted are just three of the many things that got him to where he is today. After being on the varsity football team for four years, Nicholson feels that football has had the biggest impact on him. “I feel that football has had the biggest impact on me. I was surrounded by a lot of really good and loving people, whether it be m...

Balancing good grades and being on a varsity level team can be a struggle, but Walt Wheeler has been  able to succeed in both with his good work ethic and dedication. Wheeler is currently on the Varsity Basketball team and takes both his team and classes very seriously. Wheeler is also extremely thankful for the opportunities and experiences he has been given through the FUHS basketball progra...

Kristin Smith is taking her first step into the future at the University of California, Riverside, where she will be continuing her softball and academic careers. These last four years of high school have taught Smith to not worry about what other people think. “No one really cares as much as you think they do and if itś not gonna matter in 5 years why worry about it now.” Smith’s ti...

Claire Wright has excelled in virtually all aspects of high school, as she is the Senior Class president. Wright has found her experience in ASB to be extremely fun and rewarding. “My parents raised me to be very independent and I think that’s what makes me the leader I am today,” Wright said. Participating in everything from soccer, volleyball, golf, ASB, the AP/IB/Honors program, and leading c...

Emily Weston, being a star student, has accomplished a lot during her time at FUHS. Weston has participated in FUHS’ culinary arts program for all four years and has received culinary student of the year for 3 years in a row. She has also participated in both the  AP and IB programs, and has been a member of the FUHS speech team for all four years. Weston is very grateful for the experienc...

Joefferry Wenderlich is a marvelous designer, and being a part of theater and  the design crew has helped him express himself in the most fantastical of ways. “Designing is fun because I can still do theater and do arts,” Wenderlich said. Wenderlich has also participated in many honors classes, and balancing the musical and class work has been a big challenge for him throughout his high...

As Co-President of FUHS choir, Noelle Sumner had to learn the qualities of a good leader in order to ensure that the program runs smoothly. “As president, it’s been really different because it was the first leadership position I’ve ever held, but it’s taught me a lot about responsibility and being the best person you can be in leading those around you, ” Sumner said. Sometimes bein...

For yearbook editor Justine Cedeno, the biggest struggle in high school has been balancing AP/IB classes on top of being a devoted member of the yearbook team. Cedeno’s first year in yearbook was a great experience for her. “The first year was really fun. I really enjoyed Mr. Indelicato and the people I was working with,” she said. As the class progressed, it became more stressful for Ced...

Taylor Garcia is not just any other student at FUHS, but a varsity water polo player who is able to manage his time between school and sports. “School was definitely challenging as I pushed myself throughout high school but I realized after sophomore year that it was good to have fun also,” Garcia said. Water polo isn’t just a sport that Garcia enjoys playing, but a sport where he me...

As a student athlete at Fullerton, Amber Clark was always doing something. Clark says that the environment at Fullerton was a “fun” one and that she “had a good time.” Amber credits a lot of her great memories from high school to her teammates on the basketball team. “We were always doing something crazy or dumb. We were together everyday so we bonded easily,” Clark said. Amber ...

During her freshman year, Deborah Bonales made the daunting decision to be part of FUHS’ full IB diploma program, while playing on Fullerton’s soccer team, and has yet to regret it. Bonales has been playing soccer since she was four and loves the quickness and aggressiveness of the sport. She describes it as a calm place for her to escape to when school is difficult and as a ‘home away fr...

As a future Division III athlete, Matt Cho has learned a lot throughout his baseball career at FUHS. “Baseball has taught me how to deal with failure, because you’re going to fail a lot of times in life, and also I’ve learned that you have to grind for whatever you want,” Cho said. “To achieve your dream you need to put in the work for it. It won't just be handed to you. Anything takes...

Though the state of Oklahoma may seem like a strange place to manifest amazing people, Lauren Fu moved from her small country hometown to Fullerton to be just that. “[Coming from Oklahoma] shaped who I am today in terms of learning so much about different cultures. I saw [Oklahoma] culture, and then came to California and met people who were like me. It’s seeing that culture shift that’s cha...

Brittany Ruiz takes ownership of FUHS’s academic and extracurricular activities, making the most out of her intellectual curiosity and desire to learn. Ruiz not only excels as yearbook editor-in-chief, Make a Wish Club founder, Steam Club Engineering Vice President and NHS President, but is also trilingual, co-salutatorian and a Full IB Diploma student. Senior Brittany Ruiz’s experience...

Camille Salud thrives at FUHS, prioritizing family, friends and happiness over the stresses of rigorous course loads. After being involved in band, volleyball, track and field, yearbook, journalism and numerous other clubs, Salud realized her true source of joy was not found in time-consuming extracurriculars, but rather in the people and beliefs that ground her identity. “I didn’t fee...

Unlike most student athletes, Sophia Ruesga has been a member of a varsity sports team since freshman year. While on the track and field team, Ruesga has learned to enjoy the dependability people have on themselves when running. “It’s really all on you and how hard you worked and how fast the human body is able to push itself,” she said. Ruesga’s best memory in high school was whe...

As a captain of the cheer team, Melanie Franze has the responsibility of making sure her team stays inspired and committed. Franze's high school experience has certainly been full of cheer, as she has been cheering for all four years of high school. When Franze isn’t leading the Fullerton cheer team on the field, she spends her free time hanging out with her friends, going to the beach, and watch...

Following in the footsteps of her mother, her mother’s love for dance, and her Hispanic roots, Sarah Denis has excelled in dance at FUHS despite starting as a transfer student. Denis has faced many challenges, including the intensity and long hours of the dance program. Ultimately, however, she is endlessly grateful as it pushed her to be a better person and student. Currently, Denis tra...

Soccer stud, silly, kind, and outgoing are some of the first words that come to mind with Isaiah Rodriguez . As one of the varsity starters on Fullerton’s soccer team, Isaiah has a love for the sport and the school. “It’s awesome to play a sport I love, and being on a team with some of my best friends has really added to the highschool experience” said Isaiah. In addition to soccer...