{"id":335356,"date":"2026-05-28T02:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T02:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/335356\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T02:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T02:08:10","slug":"words-of-wisdom-experience-from-some-mission-bay-high-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/335356\/","title":{"rendered":"Words of wisdom, experience from some Mission Bay High graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"

To give future Mission Bay High Buccaneers insights, a few members of the Class of 2026 shared lessons they learned over the past four years and their future aspirations.<\/p>\n

The Mission Bay Cluster Committee hosted its annual Senior Panel on May 13 in the high school\u2019s library. The purpose was for younger students and others to hear directly from graduating seniors about their experiences at Mission Bay High. The panelists were nominated by teachers and school staff.<\/p>\n

During the first portion, the panelists were asked questions from students representing Pacific Beach Middle School and the four elementary schools in Pacific Beach.<\/p>\n

The second half was for audience questions. They covered a variety of topics including specific advice for incoming freshmen, how Mission Bay prepared them for their next step, three words that described their overall high school journey, and queries into their college and career plans.<\/p>\n

\"TonyTony Martinez (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

Senior Tony Martinez said Mission Bay High \u201chas fostered skills like time management, communication and self-discipline, while preparing me for completing rigorous coursework, such as IB classes, to prepare for college or career challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senior Nadia Lopez said \u201cMBHS has prepared to ask for help from teachers and staff. Not everyone you meet will be kind but you must persevere and keep trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lopez also praised the STARS (Successful Transitions Achieved Through Responsive Support) program for her success at MBHS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme has given me resources and skills that will help me in college and my future career,\u201d said senior Hannah Chappell. \u201cIt taught me how to manage my time, balance multiple responsibilities and stay disciplined. I also learned how to be more open-minded, reflective and inquisitive, which helped me grow both academically and personally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"GiaGia Harder (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

Senior Gia Harder also praised the IB program for her growth over the last four years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IB diploma track has allowed me to not only learn from teachers but peers as well, and the rigorous course load gave me an idea of what I will be experiencing in college,\u201d Harder said.<\/p>\n

Senior Yemaya Bruce said she has also benefitted from the rigor of the IB program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the IB program I feel prepared and educated as a citizen of the world and I always leave classes feeling satisfied with my learning,\u201d Bruce said. \u201cKnowledge is power. Not only have I been able to conduct research and have hands-on field experience, but I\u2019ve also got to hone in on my non-academic passions such as vocal jazz and establishing a student-run wellness organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese experiences have prepared me for university level discussions, curriculum, research techniques and time management skills,\u201d Bruce said. \u201cAs someone who is planning on pursuing a career in medicine, these hard and soft skills only can help me prepare for the next chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JuliaJulia May (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

Senior Julia May was very open about her four years at MBHS and how the experience impacted her and shaped her for challenges in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m dyslexic and have a 504 plan for accommodations and to ensure I have access to fair opportunities in class,\u201d May said. \u201cThroughout the last four years I have learned how to approach teachers about my accommodations and other education support I need. I\u2019ve learned to articulate my needs and put my thoughts into words in conversations or written emails.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis crucial life skill of communicating with adults or people in positions of power will help me immensely beyond high school, specifically in college when communicating with professors about schoolwork or mentorship and eventually communicating with employers about work and deadlines,\u201d May said.<\/p>\n

The panelists were also asked what legacy or impact they were leaving at Mission Bay High.<\/p>\n

Lopez said kindness was hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am leaving behind a legacy where I\u2019ve been eager to help and care for students,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n

Harder said her legacy will be one of positivity and leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to leave a very positive impact on Mission Bay,\u201d Harder said. \u201cAll four years I was very involved with athletics, specifically volleyball. I was captain of both beach and indoor my senior year so I hope to leave a legacy of leadership and positivity throughout academics and volleyball.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HannahHannah Chappell (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

Chappell said she wants to leave behind a greater understanding of the school-life-sports balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to show people that academics do not have to be your whole life in order to succeed,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cIt is healthier to balance your time between school, friends, clubs and sports while still maintaining strong grades. That balance allows you to enjoy high school instead of dreading it, and look back on those years as a positive experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

As president of the First Gen Club, Martinez said he wants to leave behind a legacy of community, opportunity and support for first-generation students at his school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the impact I leave is a stronger, lasting support system that encourages future first-generation students to believe in their potential and continue helping others after them,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n

Bruce said leaving Mission Bay \u201ca ray of sunshine (is) a positive impact. Youth are our most valuable resource, and if I\u2019m able to make an impact \u2013 big or small \u2013 I\u2019m just glad if I made a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

May has been the cornerstone of the MBHS Drama Club for the last four years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to leave behind a legacy in my school\u2019s drama club and the next generation of student leaders bringing theater arts to their peers,\u201d May said. \u201cI want everyone to have the chance to experience live theater arts that may change their life like it has changed mine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe work I have done to bring more visibility and awareness to our club I hope will inspire kids to give directing, acting or back stage roles a shot in this community I have helped build,\u201d May said.<\/p>\n

When asked for three words to describe their overall high school journey May said transformative leadership experience, while Harder said resilient empowering growth. Lopez said open-minded, struggles and new friendships while Bruce said interdisciplinary, rewarding and inspiring. Martinez\u2019s three words were growth, friendship and discovery, while Chappell responded with life-changing, unexpected and developmental.<\/p>\n

All the panelists had a different path to becoming Buccaneers. Some came from Pacific Beach Middle School with a friend group while others were from nearby schools. Some were newcomers to California.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour freshman year goes by quickly,\u201d Chappell said she would want incoming Buccaneers to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough it may be scary, try and find the courage to put yourself out there,\u201d May said.<\/p>\n

\"YemayaYemaya Bruce (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

\u201dBe open to what the universe offers you \u2026 make new connections, join a sport or service club,\u201d Bruce said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet involved in things that interest you, especially if you are going to a four-year university,\u201d Martinez added. \u201cColleges like to see consistency and leadership roles. Don\u2019t be scared to reach out \u2026 recognize that there are people at Mission Bay to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a personal example, Martinez mentioned math teacher Gualter Moura and school counselor Gloria Cota.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Moura\u2019s pre-calculus math curriculum is pretty advanced and moves quickly,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cYou definitely have to be on top of your work or you might fall behind. But Mr. Moura is an incredible teacher and he will work with you if you need to retake a test or have a question. It definitely taught me that it is important to reach out\u00a0 for help.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Cota, Martinez said, \u201cshe\u2019s given me so many resources including scholarships and opportunities. She really cares about all the students so I would definitely suggest to reach out to her when you have a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some panelists shared their upcoming plans and career aspirations.<\/p>\n

May said she plans to study cinema at San Francisco State University so she can pursue a career in filmmaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been making short films since eighth grade both in and outside of school and I love telling stories through the creative and artistic lens that filmmaking offers,\u201d May said. \u201cMy dream is to one day make a living as a director sharing meaningful stories through filmmaking and having the chance to represent characters dealing with real-world challenges like anxiety, depression or showing diversity in characters with physical and learning disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chappell said she would like to major in microbiology and minor in applied mathematics at the University of Santa Barbara. She credited her parents for her motivation and work ethic.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents motivate me the most,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cNeither of them came from this country and they worked incredibly hard to give me the opportunities and life I have today. The least I can do is take advantage of those opportunities, earn my IB diploma and attend a good college.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harder said she plans on being a business management major at the University of Oregon.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dream career is to be involved in concert management,\u201d Harder said. \u201cEver since I was young I have loved the atmosphere of live music. The energy of a crowd all brought together by an artist is unmatched. I would love to be involved in making dreams come true of someone seeing their favorite artist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NadiaNadia Lopez (Cyril A. Reinicke)<\/p>\n

Lopez has been a member of the STARS program for the last three years and credits it for much of her success.<\/p>\n

\u201cA teacher that has a lasting impact on me is Mr. (Brian) McMahon,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cHe\u2019s always been there for me and takes the time to answer my questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lopez said she plans to attend Mesa Community College for two years before transferring to a four-year university.<\/p>\n

Bruce said she is excited to major in global health and double minor in Chinese and human development at the University of California San Diego. Her career goal is to become a pediatrician working in global health.<\/p>\n

\u201cA perfect career would allow me to have the happy medium of clinical one-on-one patient experience, while also doing community and global health work as well,\u201d Bruce said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To give future Mission Bay High Buccaneers insights, a few members of the Class of 2026 shared lessons…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":335357,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[98670,25013,74,76,75,1354],"class_list":["post-335356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-mission-bay-cluster","tag-mission-bay-high-school","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-san-diego-unified-school-district"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=335356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335356\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/335357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=335356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=335356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=335356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}