Yarely Baltazar (she/her), a senior at Santee Education Complex, is preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter at the University of Southern California (USC). Recently accepted to USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, she plans to major in public relations and advertising, combining her passion for business, creativity, and social engagement.

Although naturally shy as a child, Yarely’s involvement in programs like MOSTe helped her develop strong social skills and a love for collaboration. This passion for connecting with others led to leadership roles at Santee, deepening her interest in communications. She became so outgoing that she launched her first on-campus campaign for student body treasurer. “I was shocked because I felt like people didn’t really know me. But through campaigning and posting videos on Instagram about why people should vote for me, I had an eye-opening experience,” she recalled. Now, in addition to serving as student treasurer, Yarely is also the public relations (PR) manager for the Psychology Club and former STEM Club president. She has played a key role in shaping school culture and engaging students. Under her leadership, the STEM Club grew to over 30 members and introduced hands-on activities like oobleck experiments and balloon cars, making science fun and accessible for everyone.

Her passion for digital media and social engagement was sparked by her experience managing the school’s student leadership Instagram account and content creation. In addition, as part of Santee’s TikTok committee, Yarely helped create a video that showcased school spirit and connected with incoming first-year students. The excitement of crafting creative campaigns and analyzing social trends reinforced her decision to pursue a career in advertising and PR.

Like many students in public schools, Yarely has faced challenges related to limited resources, but she has taken advantage of every opportunity available at Santee. She participated in tutoring programs to strengthen her pre-calculus skills and accessed support services such as the student clinic. During the summer of 2024, she worked as an administrative intern with Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Instruction, supporting students and staff during summer school while developing valuable skills like organization, leadership, and communication. “It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to my school community!” she said.

Yarely will be the first in her family to pursue higher education, a milestone she embraces with pride. She is determined to be a role model for her younger brother and cousins, encouraging them to strive for success. As she prepares to take the next step at USC, Yarely is excited to expand her knowledge in communications while continuing to make an impact through creativity, leadership, and community engagement.