High school students attended three Senior Spotlight sessions hosted by the High School Student Council (HSSC) from March 17 to March 23 during advisory. Presenters Jerome Kwon, Brian Cho and Annie Cho shared their experiences in a series of 15-minutes talks. They opened the floor to questions about admissions and academics at the end of their presentations. 

The idea emerged from student council officers looking to strengthen communication between grade levels. “The Senior Spotlight event was quickly put in place as the council looked into fostering a line of communication and valuable advice from the seniors to younger students,” said HSSC president, Chris Ryu. 

Jerome Kwon initially took the stage on March 17, reflecting on his STEM-focused path throughout high school. He advised students to stand out as independent candidates among competitors. “I was able to notice that our future college applicants were paying great attention and remained highly respectful to the speakers. It was also a great experience to make others laugh with my humor, which isn’t something that always works out,” said Kwon.

The following day, Brian Cho, shared his honest account of early setbacks and the pivotal decision to change his intended major from computer science to art mid-way through his high school career. “I wanted to tell the audience that while things may seem to go wrong at some point in your high school life, there will always be a breakthrough,” said Cho. By openly presenting his GPA and AP scores, he conveyed a compelling message that alternative paths always exist, even amid hardships. 

To conclude the event on March 23, Annie Cho offered more practical advice on building a strong resume as well as warnings about burnout. By presenting her coursework and extracurricular strategies, she emphasized the importance of a distinctive profile to stand out in competitive admissions. “I want people to know to not be nervous and to trust yourself and be yourself, as your process will reflect your results,” said Annie Cho. 

After each presentation, a 10-minute Q&A session allowed high schoolers the opportunity to ask questions to the presenters. With a Google form available in advance, the student body had sufficient time to submit inquiries. 

Questions from freshmen shaped the discussions and left a clear impression. “Annie Cho’s presentation was the most inspiring as I learned that too many APs could come back at me with too much workload,” said freshman Katniss Kim.

Overall, the Senior Spotlight fostered a supportive environment where high schoolers gained valuable insights, while seniors shared their experiences before graduation. “There are definitely some areas to improve in, but I believe that the students got to spend a meaningful time throughout the event. We will aim to host more interactive activities in the future,” said Ryu.