EPISD Student Spotlight: Sofia Gomez, Andress High
(ANDRESS HIGH SCHOOL -- Nov. 30, 2020) — Andress High senior Sofia Gomez’s list of accolades and achievements grows by the minute. The International Baccalaureate student is senior class president, student body manager, yearbook editor, top 2 percent, homecoming queen, and much, much more at the Northeast powerhouse. Sofia hopes to add QuestBridge scholar to the list once the prestigious scholarship announces recipients on National Match Day Dec. 1. We feature Sofia in our next segment of Student Spotlight. Here’s what she had to say about her opportunity with QuestBridge and her senior year in quarantine.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: What will it mean for you to become a Questbridge scholar?
SOFIA GOMEZ: Becoming a Questbridge Scholar will guarantee the endless opportunities for both my academic and personal successes regardless of my financial and cultural background. It is a wonderful opportunity that will bring positive attention to my school and my city.
CE: What universities have you applied to be matched with for Questbridge?
SF: I have applied through the match to Boston College, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth College, Duke, Notre Dame, MIT, Stanford, UChicago, UPenn, University of Southern California and Yale.
CE: What's your first choice and what do you want to study?
SF: Columbia has been my first choice as I first started exploring my interests and what each institution had to offer. However, I am attached to the City of El Paso which I would factor in my options. I want to major in preprofessional studies, the biological sciences, psychology and I’m interested in philosophy.
CE: How are you staying involved in school during the pandemic?
SF: I am staying involved by actively participating in zoom meetings to network with like-minded individuals, despite the change of daily routines due to the pandemic.
CE: How have you adapted to virtual classes and what advantages have you found to learning online?
SF: Virtual class has allowed myself to rejuvenate by becoming a better version of character and a student, through time management, digital citizenship and self-paced.
CE: What are you doing to make the most of your senior year despite the pandemic?
SF: I am staying as positive as I can, hoping that my family will be able to make it on graduation day to hear me give a speech, see me walk the stage and celebrate.
CE: What are your honors and achievements in high school? (in addition to those listed above)
SF: NHS, President’s Award of Excellence Program 2018-19, 1st Place Psychology Science Fair 2019-2020, PBIS Student Recognition 2018-20, YAC representative 2019-20, College Mindset Academy Cohort 6 - 2019-2020, Summer Ivy League Tour Scholarship Recipient (CMA) 2019-20, Aliviane El Paso Advocates for Prevention Coalition Internship 2020-2021. I also have been invited to the National Youth Leadership Forum: Advanced Medicine & Health Care (Washington, DC) in 2019 and National Academy of Future Physicians (Boston) 2020.
CE: What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
SF: I am involved in the Student Council, National Honor Society, Youth Advisory Council, College Mindset Academy, Yearbook and the IB Program.
CE: What advice would you give incoming freshmen?
SF: High school does not have to be intimidating! Stay involved, network, and build on your true character that will live on with you forever!
CE: What have you been doing outside of academics to get through the pandemic?
SF: In my free time I solve puzzles, binge watch Grey’s Anatomy and have been preparing myself for the reality after high school.
CE: What is the first thing you plan to do when the pandemic is over?
SF: When this pandemic is over, I plan to make up for the time by spending time with my grandparents.
CE: Anything you’d like to add?
SF: Coming to realize that these norms of the pandemic have been challenging, I wish everyone nothing but safety and positivity during these difficult times. A big thank you to the health care workers, faculty, staff, EPISD, and the El Paso community adhering to CDC COVID-19 challenges. Best of wishes and congratulations to the Class of 2021! Go Eagles!