Joe Hernandez-Islas: 'It’s really nice to be included'

Joe Hernandez-Islas

Junior

Seaside High School

Seaside High School Junior Joe Hernandez-Islas hopes to be a film director one day. He is very interested in film and photography and is currently enrolled in a class at SHS where he has had the opportunity to borrow the class camera and take photos around class, and most recently, for the homecoming game.

Joe says the reality of junior year is setting in and he is beginning to think more about opportunities for the future, including what colleges are available to him aligned to the classes he is taking today.

For Joe, being a Spartan means being involved. He really likes all the opportunities available to him at Seaside, and the fact that teachers and staff tell you about them.

“Those opportunities…let me become more involved,” he said. “It’s really nice to be included.”

Joe can always count on teachers and staff.

“They are really helpful. They are always willing to take time out of their day to help me if I need it from homework to having a bad day. They can tell if you’re having a bad day. They always say hi and it helps me to stay motivated in school,” he says.

Joe has set lofty goals for himself, including passing all of his college classes, pass all his classes, look into his career, and become Associated Student Body president during his senior year. Currently he is junior class president and plans to run for ASB president at the end of this school year.

In addition to serving as junior class president, Joe is also Key Club president, and participates in the Steps Club, Latino Club, and JROTC.

Since Seaside High’s leadership class is so involved, the school takes a different approach to student board representatives. Joe is one of many leadership students that rotates who attends the Board of Education meetings.

“It opens up the opportunity to other students (and allows them) to get comfortable with their public speaking skills. It’s really helped not only me, but the other students,” says Joe.

When he is not busy at Seaside High School, Joe can be found hanging out with his family. Every Monday night, his family has family night, and participates in activities such as bowling or volleyball.

Post high school, Joe would love to attend the Juilliard School in New York, University of California at Los Angeles, Fresno State, or even study abroad in Japan.

If he could impart one thing to his peers, that would be to get involved and ask for help if you need it.