Many alumni have graduated to become successful and find careers suiting their interests. These alumni often have secrets and tips for underclassmen in their venture to succeed after high school. One of these alumni, Natalie Zarate, has advice for all students at Mission Hills that she has learned from her experiences.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to a four-year university or a community college,” Zarate said.
Zarate was unsure of her path forward when she graduated high school in 2018. She decided to join the National Guard after high school while she figured out what she wanted to do. Boot camp was challenging, as she was away from her friends and family for about five months. She overcame this challenge by pushing through and staying determined to graduate. After her time in the National Guard, she went to Palomar College to get her associate degree. She is currently finishing her undergraduate study at Cal State San Marcos.
“Just find something that you like to enjoy and set your mind to it,” Zarate said.
Zarate’s advice to students currently at Mission Hills is to find something that suits their interests and pursue it. One of Zarate’s fondest memories of Mission Hills was being the vice president for the MEChA club, which is a Chicano unity club students can join. As Zarate explored her interests through the MEChA club, many students can also further their interests by joining one of the many clubs found on campus. A full list of the clubs at Mission Hills can be found on the Mission Hills High School website.
Overall, Zarate aspired to become successful after high school, and continued to push forward regardless of the challenges in front of her. Her greatest piece of advice for students is to explore what interests them and always pursue their goals regardless of how challenging the path may be.