Hunter Janis: 'I want to help kids like me'

Hunter Janis

11th grade student

Central Coast High School

At Central Coast High School, education goes beyond textbooks. For 11th grade student Hunter Janis, the school has been a life-changing place that provides not only academic knowledge but emotional support, community connections, and a sense of purpose.

Hunter joined Central Coast in August 2024 after relocating from Chicago, Illinois. Janis shares he faced the many challenges of growing up in the foster care system. Now living in military housing in Seaside with his sister and brother-in-law, who is stationed at the Defense Language Institute, Hunter is finding his footing—and his future—at MPUSD.

“Central Coast offers me a lot,” Hunter said. “The teachers and staff are supportive, and I feel like I can build bonds with them. It doesn’t feel institutionalized—it feels real. They don’t just hand out packets and move on. They’re teaching us in ways that make sense.”

He credits teachers and staff for helping him through personal and academic challenges, including his experience as a former foster youth.

“Mr. Moises has helped me a lot,” he said. “And Mr. Maiden has shown me how to build my resume and connect with opportunities that align with my goals.”

Hunter's journey is one of perseverance and self-determination. He’s deeply involved in youth advocacy through the Epicenter in Salinas, where he serves as a youth council member. Through this work, he helps peers access support services, contributes to a youth blog, and even takes part in statewide advocacy. In March, he traveled to Sacramento to speak with legislators in support of AB 562, a bill focused on placing foster youth with families.

“It makes me feel accomplished,” Hunter said of his advocacy work. “Like I’m doing something right. Like I have a sense of direction.”

He also participates in Friday Night Live, a program that promotes youth awareness around drug and alcohol prevention. These experiences have inspired his goal: to become a social worker and support youth who are facing similar struggles. After graduating, he plans to attend a community college and then transfer to a four-year university to pursue his degree.

“Growing up, I didn’t have much support,” he said. “I want to help kids like me, especially in places where they feel unseen.”

At Central Coast, Hunter has found not just a school, but a community. He’s made close friends, gets support with transportation, and finds time to explore local events and music shows. The school’s later start time also helps him manage work, rest, and academics more effectively.

Looking ahead to graduation, Hunter said, “I’ll be one of the only people in my family to graduate. It’s a big thing for me.”

When asked what motivates him, Hunter’s answer is clear: “For a long time, I was trying to prove things to other people. But I’ve learned that no one is going to want something for me more than I want it for myself. It’s my responsibility—and I can do this.”