Here’s a look at the future aspirations of Central Kitsap School District’s top graduates from Olympic High School. The five students grew up together going to the same school for most of their educational careers.
Valedictorian: John Estacio, 18
Parents: Analiza and Jay Estacio
College: UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)
Post high school goals: To attend UCLA to study biomedical engineering or computer engineering.
Influenced by: “Robert Oppenheimer. He’s one of those underrated scientists. He made the atomic bomb, and the way he handled it influenced me. He realized he made a mistake.”
Best memory: “Pre-prom, prom and after prom. We spent the day in Seattle. We just had fun.”
What motivates you? “The feeling of success. When other people feel success, it motivates me.”
Favorite motto: “There’s no point in being smart if you’re not helping someone else.”
Best thing I learned in high school: “Calculus: the small things matter. You add them all up, and you get the big picture.”
Valedictorian: True Loan, 18
Parents: Yukari and Daryl Loan
College: University of California, Berkeley
Post high school goals: “I’m going to University of California, Berkeley. I’m going to hopefully survive and graduate and major in electrical engineering and computer science.”
Influenced by: “My oldest brother, Zach. He has a chromosome inversion. The fact that he doesn’t have a full-functioning brain, and I do, I don’t want to squander it.”
Best memory: “So many. I think that in high school, it would have to be the homecoming game senior year. I was homecoming king. It was great. I think that was one of my happiest memories.”
What motivates you? “Definitely my mom. My mom is a huge supporter of all her kids. She’s a really smart lady. She’s just a really hard worker.”
Favorite motto: “Pain is temporary.”
Best thing I learned in high school: “The biggest thing I learned is to be respectful to people. Respect alone can get you really far. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here if people didn’t like me. I think respect gets you far and just being a good person.”
Salutatorian: Crystal Kruger, 17
Parents: Suzette and Mark Kruger
College: Peace Lutheran University
Post high school goals: Undecided major. “I’m interested in health and fitness.”
Influenced by: “My parents. My dad was valedictorian for his class. My grandma on my dad’s side was salutatorian, and my mom has a great work ethic. My sister, too. My family is very encouraging.”
Best memory: “I was on homecoming court this year, and I got homecoming queen. It was just fun getting all dressed up.”
What motivates you? “I want to be successful like my parents are. They’ve raised me with good work ethic, and I want to be like them when I grow up.”
Favorite motto: “One of my teachers, Mrs. Wilkie, she always tell her classes: ‘Everything will always get better. High school isn’t forever. You’re gonna push through it and be fine.’”
Best thing I learned in high school: “I’ve learned to stay focused and don’t lose sight of why you’re here. I believe senioritis is real. Just get through it.”
Salutatorian: Larnie Garcia, 18
Parents: Larry and Arnie Garcia
College: Olympic College and University of Washington
Post high school goals: “I want to go into a career in forensics or biotechnology.”
Influenced by: “My parents. They’ve always helped me over the years.”
Best memory: “In sophomore year, the power went out and we were contemplating on if they were going to send us home. We were in the halls getting ready to go home, and the lights came on and we rushed out before they could call us back in.”
What motivates you? “I like rewarding myself. I like the feeling of being accomplished. Just the feeling it can be done and over with motivates me.”
Favorite motto: “The past is the past. The future is the future. Right now is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.”
Best thing I learned in high school: “I’ve learned that growing up is pretty scary, but if you enjoy the childish moments, it’s not as bad.”
Salutatorian: Kyle Campbell, 18
Parents: Wendie and James Pond
Post high school goals: United States Air Force Academy. “The honor code is very high there. People do drop out. My goal is to become an officer in the military four years from now.”
Influenced by: “My mom. We moved up here from Jamaica without my dad. Just how hard she works. One of the reasons I’m on this path is because of her.”
Best memory: “2014 track season. Just because it was evident we had a good team. This year we were undefeated league champs. It was just crazy to experience that.”
What motivates you? “The word success motivates me. I always wanted to not settle for mediocracy. Just the possibilities of what I can accomplish.”
Favorite motto: “Stay humble and accept failure.”
Best thing I learned in high school: “I’m sort of learning it now — rely on those around you. You can’t ever do anything yourself. You can accomplish things much greater on a team.”
The remainder of the Central Kitsap School District valedictorians and salutatorians will be profiled in coming weeks in the Reporter and Patriot newspapers.
