Meet Our Students & Staff

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I feel very lucky to work with such wonderful teachers who always support each other. Along with being hardworking educators, they also truly care about helping their students become respectful, honest, and resilient individuals. Being part of a team that values both learning and character makes me proud to be a Falcon.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was as an electrical engineer, specialized in ASIC design for communication systems. It helped me build a strong foundation in problem solving and teamwork.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Never stop learning and always do your best in everything you do.

What makes you proud to be a LGHS Wildcat?
What makes me proud to be a Wildcat is the thoughtfulness and kindness of the students I get to work with each day. Seeing students make connections across texts with universal themes in literature—and how these apply to our current society—warms my English teacher heart! The supportive staff at LGHS also fills me with pride, as I get to work alongside them toward a common goal of making students successful.

What was your 1st job?
Babysitter and house cleaner

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I will defer to Simone de Beauvoir — the French philosopher and writer: “Authentic love must be founded on mutual recognition of two liberties.”

What's something we might not know about you?
I'm 14 minutes older than my twin sister. :)

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon due to the academically proficient and accepting community that this school has fostered.

Who is your hero or inspiration?
Neil Armstrong

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I'm starting Defensive Tackle for our school's Varsity Football team, ranked 4th in tackles per game. I'm an active member in our school's theatre community; currently Community Outreach for the Drama Club and planning on auditioning for the musical Urinetown. I'm also going to be directing and producing my own production scheduled for February 27-28 (be there or be square!). I've been an Eagle Scout for 4 years after creating a new map of Downtown Saratoga (which is still up to this day) for my Eagle Project. I also enjoy stargazing and long walks on the beach. My favorite constellation is Scorpius.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself looking out at the Earth through the cockpit of a rocket ship as I travel to a world beyond our own.

What makes you proud to be a LGHS Wildcat?
The staff at LGHS truly care about our students. It is wonderful to work with these amazing people. My two sons are currently attending LGHS and it is such a special opportunity to be here and a part of their journey.

What was your 1st job?
My very first job was as a babysitter. I have always found working with kids incredibly rewarding.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
You can never go wrong by being kind.

What's something we might not know about you?
I have a huge collection of Archie Comics. They were my favorite books to read as a kid.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
SHS is the most inclusive and welcoming place I've ever worked. From students to staff, admin to parents, everyone supports and encourages each other. I think it's our greatest strength and I'm proud to be a part of it.

What was your 1st job?
I started working at age 15. I worked on a grounds crew for the Hearst family. I mowed lawns, weeded, cleaned pools, and did general maintenance. I also worked in the kitchen washing dishes for the family chef.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Life can get pretty challenging at times. Don't stress or put energy into things that are out of your control. Instead, focus on what you can control or influence in response to those things, and just do your best.

What is something we might not know about you?
I come from a family of educators. My mom retired after 30 years as an elementary/middle school aide. My grandfather, his brother, and both of their parents, were all teachers on Maui.

What makes you proud to be a LGHS Wildcat?
I am proud to be a LGHS wildcat because of how great the community is here at LGHS. I love how much the teachers care about their students, how the principal, assistant principals, and staff care about student well-being, and just how much everyone has a chance to share who they are in such an inclusive community! I love being able to join the sports that I love, golf (as the varsity captain) and track; being able to attend and be part of so many different clubs, especially STEM related ones; being in Leadership, which allows me to plan and organize so many different activities for the students, and so so much more. There are so many opportunities that are presented to us here at LGHS, and each of them brings me into a new community. Being a Wildcat makes me proud because of how much our school has to offer, and how much our school cares about its students, staff, and faculty.

Who is your hero or inspiration?
My inspiration is definitely my parents. They did so much and worked so hard to get to where they are today and to provide for me and my brother. The reason why I am where I am today is all because of what they have done for me, and I will be eternally grateful towards them. My mom is always busy because of us, but is still a passionate career woman. My dad is the first doctor in his family, and came to America to chase his American Dream. Because of my parents, I work hard in everything I do so I can make them proud one day!

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
Outside of school, I love playing golf for fun. I am the captain of the girls varsity golf team, but even when the season is over, I am still always practicing at the range at night, or playing on courses with my dad. I am also a cofounder of a Nonprofit Organization called the Youth Sleep Initiative, which aims to combat problems in youth sleep! You might remember the survey that was sent out at LGHS, which we conducted to find problems and solutions to help our youth community. Hopefully we will be able to implement solutions at LGHS and SHS soon! Out of school, I also love interning and shadowing at medical offices and hospitals because that is what I want to do in the future :) Little hobbies that I have include listening to music (especially R&B, indie rock etc), reading comics, writing poetry when I feel like it, etc!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I see myself finishing medical school and being on my next step to becoming a doctor. My dad is my biggest inspiration for that. Just like how doctors saved me when I was young, I also want to do the exact same in the future for others, and to be on the track to be doing great things by saving lives.

I would love to have also become a scratch golfer in 10 years, but I doubt I would have much time since all the classes and trainings I would have to take!

Lastly, I would love to still be in touch with my friends and teachers and staff members whom I am close with today.

Takako Hasegawa is the heartbeat of the Saratoga High School Music Department. For more than three decades, Mrs. Hasegawa has given selflessly of her time, care, and talents to support our students, staff, and community. What began as volunteer work while improving her English soon grew into a lifelong commitment to our schools, and since 2009 she has served as an indispensable classified staff member. Her dedication behind the scenes - whether organizing rehearsals, managing instruments, or caring for students on international tours - has made her the backbone of the music program.

Takako’s impact goes far beyond logistics. She is known for the extraordinary care she shows students, often working late into the night to ensure their well-being on trips, and always making sure every need is met with kindness and humor. Her ability to orchestrate field trips for hundreds of students across the world, while treating each child as her own, is nothing short of remarkable. Every other school that encounters her wishes they had “a Takako,” but we are the lucky ones. She embodies hospitality, resilience, and selflessness, serving as a friend not only to students and staff, but also to parents and visiting music programs alike.

Simply put, the Saratoga High School Music Department could not function without Takako. From maintaining hundreds of instruments, to coordinating international tours, to building relationships across the globe, she does it all - and more - with humility and grace. Her work ethic, compassion, and unwavering support are a model for the kind of people we hope all of our students become.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
My colleagues and the students that I get to work with.

What was your 1st job? 
I worked at a pizza shop in high school. I always smelled like onions.

What are your words of wisdom to live by? 
You can accomplish anything. The key is to never give up on yourself. You are stronger thank you think.

What's something we might not know about you? 
I have a deep love of art and try to incorporate it into just about everything that I do.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I am proud to be an SHS Falcon because of my friends and classmates. Everyone is so hardworking and ambitious within their own niche, and no one hesitates to be friendly or provide support for their peers.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
Outside of school, I love to do art! I enjoy doodling and sketching, as well as painting and creating digital art. I often enter my art into competitions, and have won a national medal in Scholastic Art Awards. I also help create public art for several cities, such as designing a street banner in Los Gatos Downtown or making posters for the county. Outside of managing several school clubs and organizing additional events for those clubs, I further exercise leadership by serving as the co-president of the Saratoga Library Teen Advisory Board.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to have completed my higher education and find an occupation that combines engineering with art and design. I would like to continue making art recreationally, and hope to join more communities and make more personal connections through art. I plan to continue learning and growing via reading books, meeting new people, and expanding my interests.
 

What makes you proud to be a LGHS Wildcat?
I'm proud to be a LGHS Wildcat. I love our school spirit and the way everyone supports each other. Being part of this school makes me feel connected and proud to be a Wildcat.

What was your 1st job?
I was 7 years old when I worked as a waiter in Guadalajara, Mexico, at a place called El Parian.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Assist others whenever they need help.

What's something we might not know about you?
Something you might not know about me is that I have a passion for music and even enjoy mixing my own tracks. It’s a creative hobby I truly love, and I've been DJing since I was 13 years old.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
Our students never cease to amaze me. We have talented musicians, artists, sports players, mathematicians, engineers, and more! They are also the kindest humans, and it warms my heart when I see a student offering to sit with someone who’s found themselves alone, or to help another learn a difficult concept. Our students are incredible, and our staff is just as great!

Our administrators are so supportive- they make sure we have the resources we need and go out of their way to get us what’s needed- even if it means driving 20 minutes to and from Costco to pick up a lost pizza order for our freshmen class. They lead by example in helping others, and have truly cultivated a supportive, nurturing environment on our campus. Teachers at SHS take teaching to the next level- they are dedicated to the learning process and go the extra mile to make sure students understand the concepts they present. They truly care about their students and want them to succeed—not only in academics, but in finding balance in life as well. Our classified staff are just as great- they work so hard and support us all from behind the scenes with smiles on their faces and a positive attitude. I feel so fortunate to get to work in such a wonderful community.

What was your 1st job?
I worked as a gymnastics instructor and ran gymnastics camps at a tiny gymnastics studio in Felton, CA.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Always be kind- you never know the battles someone else might be facing.

What is something we might not know about you?
I was a gymnast until I was about 20 years old, and while I no longer feel confident flipping in the air, I can still hold a headstand for close to a minute!

What makes you proud to be a LGHS Wildcat?
I am proud to be a Los Gatos Wildcat and the ability to experience an amazing education, with inquiring peers, bright teachers and staff, and outstanding athletics! I am also proud to be able to participate in activities around the school that connect me with my peers and help me get to know the LGHS community better! Whether that's being involved in the community, being a team player on the field, or remaining inquisitive while learning! The school spirit at LGHS is unlike any other school; it's one of a kind and it makes me proud to represent what it means to be a Wildcat! I also enjoy having other peers who challenge and compete with me whether that's in my sports or in the classroom at LGHS. I am also proud to go to LGHS because of its reputable success with its students and I strive to be the best version of myself that I can be.

Who is your hero or inspiration?
My inspiration is my parents! They are the hardest working and dedicated people I know! They inspire me daily to push myself to be better, to do things outside of my comfort zone and to not be afraid to fail; as long as I get back up. They inspire me daily with how they love their family, treat others, and their determination and grit to accomplish their goals! encourage me to be kind to others, and to treat others with the same respect they are given. Always showing up daily for our family, and sacrificing so much for those they love. also inspire me to travel and to experience new cultures, and meet new people through those experiences. They inspire me to put myself out there and to get involved with new activities. They also inspire me to persevere through the obstacles I face and to hurdle my way through life!

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I am currently involved in many activities outside of school! I am a three sport athlete, and I play field hockey, soccer and run hurdles in track and field. I have been a three sport athlete my whole high school career at LGHS! I also play competitive soccer for Los Gatos United and have been playing for their club since middle school! I also partake in NCL, (National Charity League) a philanthropic organization led by mothers and daughters. I am currently the VP of Leadership in my chapter. That means I help plan events to bond our chapter, plan leadership activities, and organize speakers to speak at our meetings.

I am also involved in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at LGHS! This is a student-led organization at schools and in communities that uses sports to unite students with a shared faith in Jesus Christ. I am the Co-President and we are currently working on planning a Field of Faith at LGHS. A Field of Faith is where we have students from around the area gather at our school to listen to a professional athlete speak about their faith and athletic journey. We are hoping to host it at Los Gatos Football Field this year!

I am also involved in Interact club which is sponsored by Rotary. It is a club where we do lots of community service involvement and service projects. I recently attended Rotary's ELC (Enterprise Leadership Conference) last March. It was a three day conference where Junior students from all different schools came together to develop and present a business plan to foster leadership and presentation skills. It was also a really cool opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship, and meet new people, and I was super grateful for the experience!

I am also on the MOSAIC (Making Our School An Inclusive Community) Club where we help plan the lessons for MOSAIC, and find different activities and lessons that will get students more engaged in the lessons at LGHS.

I am also very involved at my church! I was on the student leadership team for my youth group and I helped get new students involved with our ministry, helped set-up events, led games, and encouraged people to come! I also regularly volunteer on Sunday's at my church! Where I volunteer in the nursery some days and other days I volunteer with the five year olds!

During the winter season, you can find me at Black Road Christmas Tree Farm on the weekends working from 7am-6pm helping regular and new customers find the perfect Christmas tree! This job has really helped me gain knowledge about Christmas Tree's and how the farms are run. As well as how to run a successful business, and all the working parts it takes to make everything move smoothly.

I have also been in Leadership at LGHS for the past four years and am currently the Senior Class President! I help plan a lot of the Senior class activities, and fundraising for our events like Senior prom, etc. I think it's a super fun way to get involved even more at LG and to make the experiences of the seniors last a lifetime!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years I see myself becoming a pediatric registered nurse (RN). I also see myself starting my own organization. The organization would be made to help impoverished villages in Africa. The reason I want to do this is because I actually have a sponsored child that I sponsor and he lives in a small village in Africa, called Malawi. He lived in a very poverty stricken area and I was more than happy to sponsor him! I have seen all the amazing opportunities that he has been given after becoming sponsored and I want to give other children those same opportunities that he has been given! I would also want to work at my organization as a RN helping the children. The organization would consist of giving children access to education, healthcare, clean water, food, and ministry! The reason I want to do this is because I love helping others and want to make a difference for the lives of those who need it the most!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon? 
I have been a Falcon since 1994! I am proud to call this place home :)

What was your 1st job? 
I worked at Kid in A Candystore in downtown Los Gatos

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
If someone can't change something about themselves in 30 seconds or less you shouldn't be mentioning it (this is something I learned for educators that I tell my student and my own kids).

What's something we might not know about you? 
I was the Showcase Showdown winner on the Price is Right!

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
I am proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because I feel inspired when I see those who came before me. Lots of my friends' parents graduated from Los Gatos High and I think its cool to continue legacy. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
Both my parents inspire me everyday because I have seen how much they have both done for me my whole life. My mom raised me and two siblings and as soon as we were grown enough she started teaching again. My dad has made collegiate student athletes lives better for my whole life.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I am a three sport athlete. I played on the varsity team as a sophomore in all 3 and led the lacrosse team to a CCS title. I also like to fish and golf. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself coaching most likely lacrosse and trying to help the younger generation be better.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
The amazing community that supports me here at Saratoga High School.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My family

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I love to help animals in need, setting up food and shelter for the animals in my backyard. I also love to spend time with family and friends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I never have an answer for this because I believe my path in life will change with the given circumstances. But I would love to work for team USA for swimming since I am an athlete of the USA National Junior Team now. Something that will help swimmers become a better person like the staff are helping us on the team today. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
The staff and students! I love coming to work every day to share ideas with my colleagues and to teach and learn from my students. It’s rewarding, meaningful work, and honestly, I get paid to have fun all day!

What was your 1st job? 
A dance teacher. I owned a franchise called "GymstersDance" where I traveled to various elementary schools in the area and taught ballet, tap, and jazz. 

What are your words of wisdom to live by? 
Atticus Finch's words: "It's not time to worry yet." Those words have saved me SO many sleepless nights. 

What's something we might not know about you? 
I have been skydiving three times!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon because of the community at Toga. I am lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of students and staff that continuously inspire me to be better while embracing my authentic self.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My inspiration is for sure my mom; she helps me and supports me through everything I do and is the reason I am standing here today (for more reasons than one).

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
My most passionate extracurricular is Speech and Debate! For me, there's no greater fulfillment than using my voice to help others find theirs, whether that's in round, in front of the school, or even fostering this passion in other students as a coach. I've also joined the musical this semester which has been super fun—buy your tickets for "The Little Mermaid!"

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself making a difference in the world in a way that makes sense to me. I'm not sure what that looks like yet, but that's okay! I know wherever I go, I'll be supported by the wonderful community I've met here at Toga and beyond.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
I'm proud to be a Wildcat because this school has offered me so many opportunities through sports, academics, and other extracurriculars. There is an immense sense of belonging and community on this campus and I'm so proud to be a part of that. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
Both of my parents inspire me and have truly shaped me into the person I am today by challenging me to be the best version of myself. I know I'm biased, but they're some of the most hardworking, compassionate, and down-to-earth people you'll ever meet and I aspire to model my career, work, ethic, and life around theirs. 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I do club and school water polo, in which I was a captain for this year's varsity girl's team. I’m a co-founder of a school club that does volunteer work for pediatric patients in the local area, and I'm the center editor for the school newspaper. I also love to bake and have a small baking business that I run in the summertime. In the winter my favorite thing to do is snowboard.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, while I'm not sure exactly what job I'll have, I want to do something that helps others through healthcare. I also would love to travel and see the world and go on some crazy adventures.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I absolutely love the sense of community at SHS! The staff shares a strong camaraderie, and everyone truly cares about the students—not only their academic achievements but also their growth as individuals. I also admire how dedicated the students are to becoming global citizens who make a positive impact on the world.

What was your 1st job?
Lifeguard at a waterpark

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
My high school Latin teacher had a sign in her classroom that read "forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit” which translates to “perhaps someday it will be pleasing to remember even these things.” It’s a powerful reminder that, even in moments of hardship, time and perspective can transform difficult experiences into meaningful ones. I try to carry that same lesson forward, sharing it with my students to help them see the potential for growth in every experience.

What's something we might not know about you?
I drink a lot of tea and have a bit of a passion for collecting mugs in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I'm proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the strong sense of community and the friendliness of the admin/staff and teachers.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was a mail person for a big insurance company.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
To be happy, helpful and humble

What's something we might not know about you?
I am a shy person.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
The students and staff are always positive and helpful to others. I’ve had students help me clean and come to me to thank me for all I’ve done especially in the music department. The students and staff always give me a positive attitude everyday and that motivates me to work harder and help any way I can. 

What was your 1st job?
My first job was working in concessions at the cinemark theaters in Mountain View, CA 

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Be respectful, be kind to others, help others and show initiative. Work hard to accomplish any goals in life and you will see hard work does pay off. 

What's something we might not know about you?
My main hobby is gardening. I’m always working on the weekends on my backyard and every month I add a new plants or fruit trees to my backyard. My main thing is planting exotic fruit trees and I’ve been planting them all around my backyard yard fence. My wife calls it a jungle. 

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
I love our school spirit and community. From my experience, people at LGHS constantly try to help each other. I am proud of being part of our community. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
I think my mom is one of my biggest inspirations because she is able to do so much without breaking a sweat.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I spend a lot of my free time working on entrepreneurial projects. Some I try to turn into real startups and try to achieve a level of success with them. Others, I am just tinkering with something I find interesting. My current obsession is seeing whether I can build a fully-fledged application using no-code tools. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'd love to be doing something with startups or work in marketing at a company/cause I care about and believe in.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I’m proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the strong sense of community we have as Wildcats! As both a former student and now a teacher, I’ve experienced firsthand the care and connection that make this school so special. It’s an honor to help guide and support the next generation of Wildcats through such formative years.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was coaching soccer at summer camps.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I try to remember that it’s not about where you begin, but the progress you make along the way. It is often easy to forget that failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to it.

What's something we might not know about you?
My older sister, Kelly Pearson, taught at LGHS for seven years before moving to Walnut Creek. During my first few years teaching here, everyone called me Kelly because we look so much alike!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I’m proud to be part of our huge music program that gives me so many great opportunities like traveling with the orchestra to giving me access to great out of school programs. I’m proud that our school has a lot of academic rigor but at the same time people are kind to each other and help one another out. I love the SHS athletics. Going from redwood middle school to SHS, I have noticed there are so much more school sports. During the field hockey season I loved taking part in the school tradition of decorating the bleachers and setting up extensive gift baskets for the seniors and dressing up for the senior night theme.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
I have many heroes. My hebrew teacher is tri lingual. she is always kind, bringing snacks and smiles to everyone. My second source of inspiration is Patricia Miranda, who wrestled in the Olympics when it wasn’t very common for girls to wrestle. She graduated from SHS as well :) My third source of inspiration is my dad, who wrestled for Stanford. He encourages me and trains me every day. He helps me condition with sprints and wrestling technique and coordinates with his Stanford wrestling friends so I can go to other practices when I am not going to Saratoga’s. He pushes me to try my best without overdoing it and comes to all of my tournaments and duel meets to cheer me on and coach me.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I play viola for orchestra but love doing it outside of school in summer programs, trying out for different ensembles, and playing duets for Tri-M with my friend Cece. I love to run and played field hockey for Saratoga and on Saturdays and sundays in Lightning field hockey. I love sports in general! Currently, I am wrestling and love practicing with my dad outside of Saratoga and will continue to wrestle in a club after the school season ends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I am hoping to work as some sort of doctor because my mom is an orthopedic surgeon and my dad is a emergency medicine doctor. I might want to be a trainer or a nurse paramedic. I would like to continue viola like teaching on the side. I also really want to continue sports in college!

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1999, so I must like this place just a little bit to want to come back and work here. I love that LGHS still offers something for every student, whether it's athletics, performing arts, extracurricular clubs, or just being a student who gets to enjoy high school life in a student-friendly, walkable town.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was in San Francisco, at a small publishing company called Aunt Lute Books. It was located in the Mission District. It was an amazing place to work with great people, and some of the best taquerias. It was a two block walk to El Metate, which at the time was a hole in the wall taqueria, for my favorite midday burrito.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
I am fond of many amazing, wise quotes that I have heard over the years, but my favorite is very simple. "Have a day". Not a good day, or awesome day. Just have a day. Meaning, whatever kind of day it is, make the most of it. Bad days come with good, and some days can just be busy running errands or taking care of personal business, or even just a little boring. Sometimes doing the simple things really well is enough for the day. Make the most of whatever day it is. Another one is coming.

What's something we might not know about you?
I played a lot of soccer growing up, for both club, ODP, high school, and college (USF). I am grateful for the years I was able to play, and for the people I met along the way.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
The amount of opportunities available to me and the level education I get

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My best friend 

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I played on the golf team.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself just graduating graduate school and landing my first job. Being happy and healthy.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am a Saratoga High Alumna (class of 2007) so I am very proud to be back at my alma mater!

What was your 1st job?
I worked at Saratoga Bagels during my junior and senior years of high school.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Don't sweat the small stuff! 

What's something we might not know about you?
I have twin 4 year old daughters, Rosemary and Katherine. I am also the assistant coach for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. 

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be part of the family that has been built within the music program here at SHS. It has given me a place to grow as a performer and a person and I take great pride to be a Falcon in this program.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My parents

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
I marched in Drum Corps International (marching band over the summer) with the Blue Devils B in 2022 and 2023 and the Blue Devils in 2024 where I have put in over 3000 hours in the past 3 years. I was the Mellophone section leader in the 2023 Blue Devils B as well as a soloist and I received the MVP visual award and the MVP music award that season. I was the youngest member in the 2024 Blue Devils out of ~180 members. I plan to march with the Blue Devils until I age out in 2029. Outside of marching band I have done Scouts of America for over 8 years and I will receive my Eagle Scout in 2025.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Playing in a professional orchestra and teaching marching band.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I enjoy working with highly motivated, enthusiastic students and colleagues.

What was your 1st job?
Flipping burgers at Jack-in-the-Box

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
1. Life Does Not Award Extra Credit.
2. Persevere. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be rewarding. Or else it would be illegal.
3. If you’re doing it just to tell people about it, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.
4. Ask questions, and question the answers.
5. A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives. 

What's something we might not know about you?
I worked as an EMT in college, but dropped out of med school to become a teacher.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon because of the dedication our school community has to highlighting the strengths and passions of every student.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
Both my mom and dad are my biggest inspirations because they are always by my side no matter the problem.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
I am part of the Drama Program and spend a lot of my time acting in as many productions as possible, as well as advocating for theatre education. I am also part of the Democracy Matters Club, where we fight for youth involvement in civic duty. As the future of our nation, we believe that it is imperative for the youth to start understanding how they can change the course of our nation by speaking up about topics that matter to them.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself working as a lawyer (hopefully in politics!), as well as doing as much community theatre as possible.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat? 
There's not a single aspect about being a Wildcat that I don't love. The amazing community we have here is unmatched. From day 1 at LGHS I have loved this community and I'm always proud to represent.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My hero is definitely my Mom. She's the toughest person I have ever met and she's been through so many difficult things in her life, despite all of that I rarely see her without a smile on her face and she's always thinking about others before herself.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I love to play lacrosse in and outside of school. I started playing sophomore year and ever since then I've fallen in love with the game and I've been consumed. I've made some of my best friends and memories through lacrosse (like winning CCS last year). I truly think of lacrosse like its nickname, "the medicine game" and I use it as a way to disconnect from school or just relax in general. I hope to be able to play after high school, no matter the level, and hopefully be able to represent Spain on an international scale at some point.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'd like to be working in Europe or some other part of the world and have a job that I love to do and that I can't get enough of. I'd also like to be traveling around and continue to be active and play sports. To be honest, I'm not too sure and that seems very far away but as long as I'm content with what I do and have achieved I will consider it successful.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I have always loved sports and enjoy prepping our sports fields knowing that the students will have a great place to play and make memories that will last a lifetime. At SHS we all work as a team to provide the best opportunities for the students

What was your 1st job?
When I was eighteen, I worked at Lunardi’s as a bagger. It kept me busy and was on my feet all day with very little downtime (much like my job today).

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Always make time for yourself and family all while putting your best effort into everything you do, including your job and hobbies.

What's something we might not know about you?
In my spare time, I raise purebred beef cattle with my wife and two kids. Both of my children are both involved in 4-H and FFA and share my passion for raising cattle. They show the cattle we have raised at various shows in California.

What makes you proud to be a Wildcat?
I am proud to be a LGHS Wildcat because of the community of staff, teachers, and students who welcome me everyday -- always curious about how my day is going and what I am up to. 

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My hero is my definitely my dad. He is the rock I lean on in times of need.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?  
I really love hiking! I have hiked many times on the Central Coast of Cali at places like Big Sur and Point Lobos. Although sometimes it can be challenging, for the most part I enjoy having the chance to reconnect with nature since I often feel disconnected in my day-to-day life.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself as a corporate lawyer like the guys on the show "Suits."

What makes you proud to be a Falcon? 
I am proud to be a Falcon because I am surrounded by extraordinary colleagues, students and families. I am beyond blessed to have been at SHS the past 27 years.

What was your 1st job? 
J. Higby's Yogurt Shop in Menlo Park, I was a cashier and served fro yo.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Be the reason someone smiles today.

What's something we might not know about you? 
If I weren't a teacher, I would have been a court interpreter.

I recently married two of my former students (who met in my class).

I used to bungee jump when I was younger (off of hot air balloons and cranes).

While living in Madrid, I worked with Antonio Banderas' attorney and his family. (Antonio Banderas is the voice of Puss n Boots).

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?

I love Saratoga High because of the diverse, unique, and welcoming community we share. It's a school where you can go anywhere on campus for lunch and find someone nice and interesting to talk to. Go Falcons!

Who is your hero or inspiration? 

My hero is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I think he's the perfect example of someone who cares deeply about his community and the message that he stands for without seeking any reward, recognition, or title. I frequently think about the lessons he gives us and the lasting contributions he made to our country and to our world.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?

I love hooping in my backyard and at the shs outdoor basketball courts. I also like to ski- favorite runs are liftline/bowls down kt22. I've recently been really into Taylor Swift music. I don't know why but the lyrics and musicality feel very connecting. Other favorite artists: Kendrick, Cardi B, Tarun R, and Rihanna

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Playing power forward for the Indiana Pacers.