Meet Katherine Castro (she/her), a 12th-grade student at Jordan High School and a member of Partnership’s Policy Advisory Board. We spoke with her about what she’s looking forward to during her senior year. Read more below.

As the school year kicks off, many high school seniors are filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to make the most of their final high school experiences. For Katherine, this year is all about keeping her grades high, passing her Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and taking on leadership roles in student clubs.

“I want to actively participate in my classes and do well, especially my AP classes, so I have a better shot at passing the exams and earning college credits. I’m currently taking four: Statistics, English Literature, Spanish, and Government,” she said. “As the secretary of the Spanish club, I’m also looking forward to leading new initiatives and pushing other members to do more.”

In addition to her academic goals, Katherine is also focused on giving back to her community. She plans to continue to tutor other youth at Yo! Watts YouthSource Center and hopes to start volunteering at MudTown Farms, a local farming project in Watts. “I know community service is important, not just because it looks good on college applications, but because it’s a way to make a difference where I live,” she explained.

Katherine’s dedication to academics and community service ties directly into her college aspirations. She’s determined to attend the University of California (UC), Irvine and pursue a career in forensics, a field that has fascinated her for years. She has always loved writing, learning about the investigation process, and watching Forensic Files with her mom. To prepare, Katherine has already started working on her UC application essays and is applying for scholarships to help cover the cost of college.

Katherine’s senior year is off to a strong start. Her standout qualities as a dedicated student and community member recently earned her an invitation to speak at the press conference for the reopening of Jordan’s Wellness Center. The center provides vital access to physical and mental health care, promotes critical prevention and health initiatives, and establishes connections to community-based resources.