“When I joined the Fanaa South Asian Bollywood dance team @sfhs_fanaa, that was my first experience with a family team environment. That's where I connected with my culture of dancing, the music and the people. I also joined SASA @sfhs_sasa, or South Asia Student Association, in sophomore year. We connected with one another during Zoom meetings, but what it meant for me was that I could talk to people about who I am. I don't see myself represented in other parts of my community. So it was nice to be able to express that emotion with people around me. That feeling of being connected and engaged in my community, my school, was something that I have always wanted, and I'm happy to say that I found it.

Martial arts has been a key part of my life. I've been training for 12 years and brought my passion to SFHS by founding the Martial Arts Club @sfhs_martialarts in my freshman year. I have my second-degree black belt in taekwondo and first-degree black belt in self-defense. I began teaching martial arts online through my non-profit Fit4Grit Academy @fit4grit_academy to hundreds of youth in the US and India during the onset of the pandemic, telling them how to practice respect, dedication and perseverance. Respect has a lot of connotations; I learned there's respect for yourself. That's one thing that I have tried to deal with — understanding my limits, and I learned to be more understanding of myself, to say, “hey, maybe I can't do this yet. I'll try again next year” or “maybe I am not fitting in with this group because that's not who I am, and that's okay.”

I’ve been doing competitive speech and debate for seven years. This year, I switched to extemporaneous speaking. For the speech I gave to the Mountain View Rotary Club, the topic was on the impacts of the sedentary lifestyle on youth since Covid. I won, and I’ll be competing alongside all the top winners from the area for the next level. What I’ve learned through practice is that if you can get past the hurdle that someone is judging you when you’re speaking, your words will come out smoother because those nerves will go away.”

Adarsh Gupta ’23

"I currently participate in cross country and track, and I’m on student council. I’m also a leader of the Filipino American Student Union and of Ignite, which is the youth group on campus. I noticed that everything that I enjoy has to do with my identity, my cultural background and my religious background. I see myself as an individual rather than just a student. I’ve learned a lot about myself through these clubs and when I took on a leadership role, I learned a lot even more about myself and what I want for the future.

One thing I love at Saint Francis is that if you want to learn how to do something, there’s always the opportunity to do it. One thing that people don’t know about me is that I like to sing so I’ve decided that I am going to join choir. I’m a very outgoing person and there’s a lot that people know about me, but I’m sure people will be surprised to know that I’ve had a long time interest in singing.

To be a Lancer, you’re truly someone who wants to make the world a better place. I feel like I’ve changed so much over the first few years that I’ve been here, and I think Saint Francis has given me the platform to present new ideas and speak about the changes in our society. The opportunities here have challenged me and brought me outside my comfort zone. I want to lead by example and share my good experiences here on campus with others. It’s so rewarding getting to see people enjoy the work that you’ve put out. I want to extend my leadership roles and continue with them beyond my years here. This school prepares you for life. I will take what I have learned here into my future as a leader."

Ava Grace Sanchez '25

One of the biggest highlights of my high school experience has been learning to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I never imagined myself dancing, yet because of my passion for our Filipino affinity group, there I was, staying late in the dance studio until 9:00 p.m. on a weeknight, practicing the folk dance Tinikling with my classmates. I’ll be honest, I’m not a natural dancer, but the space and the people in it quickly became a second home for me. This is something special about Saint Francis. Here you’re encouraged to try new things, and along the way, you find community in the most unexpected places. They say to surround yourself with the people you want to become and I’ve found a whole community of friends who inspire me in different ways: academically, creatively and spiritually. During my time at Saint Francis, my faith has deepened. I remember sitting in Mass as a freshman, watching a classmate address the entire school and thinking, “Hey, that’s my friend up there.” That moment made me realize I belonged. Now, a few years later, I help lead our Ignite youth group sessions to plan prayer services, and even present at Mass myself, just like the students I looked up to. Saint Francis has given me the chance not only to discover who I am but also to share what makes me unique. Through the TEDxSaintFrancis program, an entirely student-run initiative, I channeled my love for writing into a talk about overcoming professional rejection. Today, I’m giving back as a speaker mentor, guiding new presenters through the same process that shaped me. It’s a cycle of always sharing, always learning. Saint Francis hasn’t just given me a place to belong; it’s given me countless ways to contribute to a community I love.

Mason Young '26

Moments after my high school freshman orientation, I eagerly entered the Student Activities Office, looking to be connected with my new school community. I soon became a Rally Board member and helped execute rallies. I then became the "official rally emcee" who added my personality while I was on the microphone. This allowed me to connect with students of all backgrounds, helping me understand what would unite us as a community. I never realized my influence until my peers came to me with ideas to boost spirit and engagement. These conversations soon gave me the passion to represent all students. I was then connected with leadership groups like the Student Moreau Board and the Lancer Ambassadors Core Team where I became a voice for all students. SFHS has allowed me to become a holistic leader that unifies our school community!

Christian Chifan '26

When I came to Saint Francis from a small middle school, I was shy, introverted, and overwhelmed by all the new people, classes and opportunities; I just wanted to blend in. But Saint Francis doesn’t let you stay in your comfort zone for long. You are always invited and encouraged to take the next step. When I was invited to join Lancer Ambassadors my freshman year, I hesitated, unsure if I was outgoing enough. Still, I said yes, and leading tours at Open House helped me discover how much I love connecting with others and helping them feel welcome. From there, one small yes led to another. I am part of the Lancer Ambassador Core Team, Spirit Commission and I serve as a Bessette Team leader. Each step pushed me to grow, and with each step I was supported by a community that believes in me. Saint Francis has helped me become a leader who leads with empathy, integrity and confidence, and who knows that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, but about using your voice to lift others up.

Francesca Bessette '27

Coming from my Catholic middle school, initially Saint Francis seemed overwhelming. At first, I didn’t know how I would fit in, but the greatest part is that you do. It’s like a tree that never stops growing, and it wouldn’t be complete without your leaf. Within a week or two, I found my place in the tree and was welcomed with open arms. I joined Freshman council because I found friends with similar interests and drive as me. I later fell in love with the videos that the council makes for rallies. This support and enthusiasm is in every corner of campus. The Science Olympiad is another special space for me. It’s a club where you compete against other schools in different science related events. These events challenge me to learn things I never knew existed, like Disease Detectives, where you are given a scenario and have to tell which disease someone has. My advice to any incoming freshman is get involved and don’t worry, you’ll fit in.

Isabella Tabery '29

One of the things I’ve loved about Saint Francis was how many STEM opportunities I’ve had. As an incoming freshman, I joined our Innovation program, Lancer LEAP, to create a VR game called FlowRessence. We collaborated with a Santa Clara University professor to create a game that focused on helping with anxiety disorders or PTSD. To this day, it has been one of my favorite things I’ve done here, and I’ve never stopped loving the community that made it possible. As nervous as I was, Saint Francis welcomed me with open arms and always encouraged me. As a senior this year, I work alongside faculty members in the Leadership Wing as an Academic Intern. Most days, I’m just as nervous as I was my freshman year. But Saint Francis has helped me grow into someone who seeks out these types of opportunities in spaces outside my comfort zone, prepared to contribute to my community. I’ve loved the opportunity to work with teachers and peers to build each other up in a community that values all the effort our students put into everything they do, whether that be their academics, athletics, or clubs!

Kayden Walton '26