Class of ’24 Senior Spotlight: Anya Gonzalez

What is your favorite subject in school, and why? 

My favorite class is Values in World Thought; I love being able to get a comprehensive understanding of the world we live in through different perspectives and values. I particularly have enjoyed reading books such as “Just Mercy” by Brian Stevenson that allow me to connect with issues that are larger than those I face in my everyday life. The curriculum in Values class gives me space to reflect inward on my identity and understand how I interact with the world around me.

If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be? 

I think that happiness is rooted in the kindness we show others. If I had the power to change one thing in the world it would be how humans interact with one another. I believe that if everyone abided by the golden rule “treat others the way you want to be treated,” we would lead happier lives.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go, and why would you choose that

I would visit the Netherlands. As a child, I dreamed of visiting the Netherlands during spring to see the tulips. My birthday falls in the middle of spring and so I have always associated tulips with excitement and joy.

Name one big challenge in your life right now:        

Deciding where I want to attend college is one big challenge in my life right now. I’ve picked a particularly selective major so my options are quite limited. I am certain that I want to stay on the West Coast, but I have yet to hear back from many of the schools I applied to. Grappling with the fact that I will be leaving home for a new chapter has also been difficult.

What is your dream job and why?

I have a few dream jobs but the one I am most passionate about is becoming an emergency room nurse. I find so much joy in the prospect of being able to care for people and also a lot of excitement in the emergency department. I enjoy learning about how the human body works and all of its complex structures and systems. If I could pursue a career that fulfilled a childhood dream of mine, it would be in criminology, such as a detective or private investigator.

What are your three favorite things? 

My friends and family, the ocean and music

Favorite book: 

My favorite book is “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson. Growing up, I’ve often gravitated towards mysteries, trying to solve the cases before the protagonist does. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a fun and easy read filled with just enough suspense and an amazing plot twist.

What do you want to do after high school? 

I hope to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then travel a bit before settling down. Eventually, I hope to go to grad school and pursue a different degree such as law or communications, which would give me a lot of space career-wise.

Something that you are proud of – and why:

I am proud of my ability to reflect and be aware. I think that these gifts have allowed me to understand how my actions affect others and pushed me to be a better person.

 

Something that makes you smile:

Something that makes me smile is playing volleyball with my friends at lunch. It’s a little ritual I participate in every day and I don’t think I have ever laughed harder than when I am playing with them.

A favorite Mount Madonna School (MMS) memory:

My favorite MMS memory is probably my entire freshman year. As a class, we were up to so many shenanigans and went on tons of adventures. Our environment allowed us to bloom into our adolescence through interactions with nature, which ultimately made us quite the free-spirited bunch. Another favorite memory of mine was during the last show of “Ramayana!” 2018. Cyrus K., a senior at the time, turned and said to me “It goes by too fast.” That quote has stuck with me ever since, ultimately allowing me to cherish every moment at Mount Madonna School.

Top three most played songs on your favorite playlist: 

“Seven” by Taylor Swift, “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat” by Del Water Gap and “Clubhouse” by Mac Miller.