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With local high schools holding their commencement ceremonies this week, the Voice wanted to hear from graduating seniors about what their high school experience has been like.
Below is a Q&A interview with Los Altos High School senior Brisa Garcia Perez, who reflected on her experience at the school. Answers have been edited for style and clarity.
What is your favorite memory from high school?
In the summer of 2024, I performed in Little Women with GIFT Theater. After a show, a group of us headed over to Westwind Barn to watch the sunset. We sat in a circle at the top of the hill, with a speaker in the middle quietly playing music. Wrapped in blankets, we swayed and sang along to “Vienna” by Billy Joel, our voices blending with the fading light. We watched as the horses wandered past us, and we listened to the chirping crickets. After the sun finished setting, we laid down and stared up at the stars, pointing at constellations like the Big Dipper and North Star.
It was one of those nights when time felt like it slowed down. No one was in a rush to leave. We just laid there, talking about everything and nothing, laughing quietly, crying happy tears. I remember thinking how lucky I was to be exactly where I was, with people I cared about, under a sky full of stars.
What’s a word that describes your senior year?
“Bittersweet.” Since the first day of senior year, that feeling was always there. Every new friendship I made, every last event, every last moment felt so special to me, but there was always a constant reminder that these memories were coming to an end.
I made some of the best memories of my life this year and met some of my favorite people. Although sometimes I wish that I could freeze time and stay in these moments longer, I know that college has so much to offer and cannot be more excited for this new chapter in my life.
What song defines your senior year?
“Crusin’ for a Brusin” from Teen Beach Movie. It’s a reminder of the amazing friendships I’ve made because of theater. Every time that song comes on, I can’t help but burst into dance and sing my heart out. It’s like an instant reminder of those fun, crazy moments with friends who have changed my life.
Which class do you think prepared you most for life after high school?
Since before I entered high school, the AVID program has been extremely useful in helping me prepare for college and high school. My parents never made it to college or even high school, so I’ve learned all my information through my AVID teacher. It has been really helpful throughout high school and my college application process; without it, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now.
Finish this sentence: “In 10 years I’m going to be…”
Teaching here at Los Altos High School. My sophomore year, I decided that teaching was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and since then have made it my goal to give back to the community that made me who I am today. I’m forever grateful for all the teachers in my life who have left a lasting impact on me. I hope that in 10 years I will do the same for my future students.
What’s the top piece of advice that you would give to incoming high schoolers?
Everything happens for a reason.
I know it’s very cliché and some might even get annoyed when they hear it, but it’s something that I’ve come to believe deeply. In high school, things don’t always go as planned. You’ll lose friends, you’ll have heartbreaks, you’ll face rejections, and challenges. But what I’ve learned throughout my four years of high school is that all these experiences have shaped me and helped me become a better person. Trust the process, even if it’s hard in the moment, one day you’ll be able to be grateful for it.
What are you most proud of accomplishing or overcoming in high school?
I’m proud that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by getting involved in theater and taking on leadership roles like being part of the Principal’s Advisory Council and serving as vice president of Latino Student Union.
Check out this year’s list of Los Altos High School graduates and read our article about the graduation ceremony.
For all of our graduation coverage, go to our central graduation page.
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