18 under 18: West Ranch Students Edition

From balancing college applications and a busy school life to taking flight lessons, senior Gabriella “Gigi” Goldberg reaches “sky high” to meet her dreams of becoming a pilot. Her passion for flying has led her on her way to getting an official pilot’s license. She tells The Paw Print about why she loves flying and her latest accomplishments and aspirations.   Q: When and how did you become interested in...

Daniel Tsan started playing the clarinet in 6th grade. Seven years later, he is one of the best, first chair clarinet for the West Ranch Band. The Paw Print talked to this talented artist and asked him several questions about band and life.   Q: Why do you think you were chosen for The Paw Print's 18 Under 18?   A: I'm actually not sure because that was the question I was going to ask! I thin...

Quarantine has provided an opportunity for many to take time on what they couldn’t do before and for senior Radika Epps, that was coding. She has been able to explore quantum coding, a branch of coding related to quantum physics. It takes a sharp mind to excel in computer science, and Radhika has all the skills she needs to build a career out of it.    Q: How did you get into coding?   ...

Erin Ha is a sophomore at West Ranch who is a hardworking volleyball player at our school and in outside clubs. Team games such as volleyball are especially impacted by COVID-19 since they require multiple people in close contact to play. However, despite the situation, Erin continues to pursue her career as a volleyball player in a quarantine-friendly way.   Q: When and why did you start playing volley...

  There is no doubt the coronavirus has broadened America’s political stage, spotlighting various topics and policies. Over this short period, we have seen deepening polarization. These tensions have increased activism, persuading millions to flood the streets protesting and demanding change; however, finding safe political advocacy opportunities as a student can be challenging. Despite the...

They say curiosity killed the cat—but for West Ranch wildcat Owen Sayre, curiosity is the air he breathes. The ever-inquisitive engineer, cellist, volunteer, and Astronomy Club president finds wonder in every facet of life and isn’t afraid to explore new territory. From helping launch a weather balloon into space to 3D printing a cello, Sayre masterfully applies his interest in math and scienc...

As the pandemic restricts the general public from stepping outside, Amy Arnold lets nothing get in the way of pursuing her passion for rescuing. Through a virtual interview, The Paw Print got to talk to Arnold about her time in lifeguarding. In this Q&A, we will take a look into what sparked Arnold’s passion for lifeguarding and how she overcame the challenges she’s faced during these unpr...

Matthew Kei is a senior at West Ranch who found a passion for mountain biking 10 years ago. Kei has grown in his love for the sport and even competed at two national championships. Since distance learning, Kei has found himself trapped in front of his screen attending classes and doing homework for hours. Mountain biking has served as an escape from his busy schedule, and he has remained incredibly com...

Many events in the 21st century have acted as a catalyst for feminist movements, exposing feminisim to younger generations and inspiring many to join forces and fight for equality. Sophomore Caden Lee uses her voice in both her everyday life and social media platform to express her passion for womens’ rights and equality.    Q: We were told that you were a feminism advocate. How did thi...

Lexi Kranian, a freshman at West Ranch, started a project to educate people on fire safety for pets. Motivated by California’s heavy fire seasons, Kranian and her partner spread awareness on what to do in such an emergency. The two designed stickers to adhere on house windows, alerting firefighters of a pet inside. Though COVID-19 has made it considerably more difficult to reach her goals, Kranian ove...

With the pandemic, many people have been having a lot of time on their hands, finding new passions and even starting businesses. Karla Huazano, a sophomore, found a passion for creating jewelry and began her jewelry business during quarantine. It started from a gift for her friend and grew into a business when she wanted to sell her creations to a broader audience.   Q: Why did you start making jewelry during q...

The 2020 election was a major event that occurred when everyone was quarantined at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. While this election was significantly different from those in years past, senior Skylar Higgins was eager to take part in this year’s historic voting day. To become a poll worker, she registered at the LA County Registrar’s office and went through training online and in-person t...

Geneva Cesoni is a sophomore known for her passion for playing team sports. Talented in both soccer and lacrosse, Cesoni has been following COVID-19 safety measures by practicing her skills remotely. She works to improve technique on her own and hopes to play professionally one day.  Q: When and why did you start playing lacrosse?  A: “I started playing lacrosse when I was twelve. I star...

Ashley Kim, a junior at West Ranch, has pursued a unique pastime during the months spent in quarantine. Kim creates and manages personal blogs where she posts research and opinions on relevant social topics. Posts range from reviews of short films to stances on mental health in foreign countries. She uses her accessible outlet to share knowledge and inspiration to those who visit.  Q: When and why...

As remote schooling continues, senior Alexa Siglar is working to maintain a sense of normalcy in students’ extracurricular spheres. Siglar, the current president of the National Honors Society, has been efficiently using her time in quarantine to create positive change within our community. Leading her team of NHS officers and hundreds of students who are passionate about volunteering has been no...

We all remember the beginning of quarantine, when the grocery stores were flooded and people were panicked. That is, until senior Eric Luo came into the picture. He co-founded Six Feet Supplies, a volunteer-run initiative that delivers groceries to homes without charging a single delivery fee—ever. Luo successfully balances his schoolwork and commitment to the debate team while performing his dutie...

Kevin Gillespie is a senior at West Ranch who founded a student-run nonprofit organization with his team members Shaden Nasr, Matthew Chan and Rachel Gim. The organization, Open-Source Print and Protect, designs, produces and distributes face shields to frontliners in the community. When quarantine began, Gillespie decided to make his own face shield design by using his 3D printer at home. Since t...

Senior West Ranch TV member Peter Suh has come a long way since his eighth grade skateboarding days, when he first discovered his love for filmmaking. The film industry has left a huge impact on his high school career, especially after he worked with West Ranch alum Neiko Pitman on a project that won first place in a student television network contest. Peter Suh is a force to be reckoned with as he...