EPISD Student Spotlight: Christian Lomarquez, Coronado High
(CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL -- Oct. 18, 2021) — National Merit Semifinalists Christian Lomarquez has kept his focus on college throughout his high school years – taking International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes and staying well prepared for the PSAT and SAT. The Coronado High senior, who is among his class’ top 10 students, shares some solid advice for students getting ready to take the PSAT and SAT in this edition of Student Spotlight.
EPISD: What do you look forward to most this school year – especially after more than a year of virtual school?
CHRISTIAN LOMARQUEZ: Although I did enjoy staying at home last year, I am very thankful that I get to be back to school with in-person classes and to see my friends and teachers again. I feel that interacting with other people is totally different on Zoom than face-to-face.
EPISD: How has being in IB helped you prepare for college and beyond?
CL: The IB program is full of difficult coursework. Although I had to sacrifice time and effort to keep up with the intense workload. The program has taught me time management, prioritization, and responsibility – values that I believe will be useful to me in college.
EPISD: What advice would you give juniors about to take the PSAT?
CL: I advise all juniors to genuinely study for the PSAT. While this test precedes the SAT, the PSAT also provides college recognition and even scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). I recommend that you challenge yourself with Khan Academy, as it tests harder questions than what is actually on the official PSAT. Khan will help you familiarize yourself with both PSAT and SAT-style questions. Try to time yourself with sample exams from Khan, training your mind to be more aware of the allotted time.
EPISD: What advice would you give to freshman?
CL: Whether it is sports or academics, do what makes you happy. Take the opportunity to attend AP or IB classes if you think you can handle them - you gain credit for college if you do well on your exams. We only go through high school once in our lives, so use your time wisely.
EPISD: How are you preparing for college?
CL: I have done extensive work preparing for college. Taking extra-rigorous classes like IB and AP have prepared me for harder college classes. I feel that practicing good study habits, like organization, prioritization, and time management, is extremely important in college. I am also researching possible colleges, writing my college essay, and evaluating which college is the best fit for me.
EPISD: Where do you plan to go to college and what do you plan to major in?
CL: I had the opportunity to visit the Rice campus last summer, and I was really impressed with their medical program and facilities. I am hoping to be accepted into Rice University. I want to major is Biosciences and perhaps minor in biochemistry and cell biology.
EPISD: Anything you’d like to add?
CL: Throughout these past three and a half years, I feel like I have grown as a student and as a person. I am very grateful to my friends, teachers, Coronado High School, and EPISD as a whole for giving me the guidance and support I need on my way to college.