Top Students at Aptos High — Times Publishing Group, Inc.

Valedictorians: Emma Yeaman and Aidan Niklaus

The Aptos High School Class of 2022, which has spent two years learning in a global pandemic, will graduate well-earned at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at Cabrillo College.

The Aptos Times is pleased to recognize the two valedictorians (GPA above 4.3) and the three salutatorians for their hard work which placed them at the top of their class. Here they share their post-graduation plans.

Emma Yeman

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I will go to the University of Washington, in Seattle. I plan to major in environmental studies, and possibly a minor in urban planning or sustainability.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I played on the women’s indoor volleyball team for all four years. I did college in my sophomore, junior, and senior years, and was a starting player on the 2019 team that won the Division IV state championship.

I also played beach volleyball for the two years it was in the SCCAL League.

I have been Vice President of the Habitat for Humanity Club, a member of the Sustainable Fashion Club and a member of the Bring Change to Mind Club for three years.

How has Covid affected your high school experience?

While I formed bad study habits through distance learning, I otherwise thrived in online school. I was lucky to have a stable learning environment at home (stable internet and access to devices).

The first semester of the 2020-21 school year looked bleak as we couldn’t play volleyball indoors. However, the SCCAL League has formed women’s beach volleyball teams to allow us to play volleyball safely.

I was also able to play with my club’s volleyball team, Main Beach Volleyball Club, so I maintained a healthy outing (break from school and my house) throughout the year .

Also, the shorter school days have allowed me to volunteer more often at Caroline’s non-profit thrift store (in Aptos).

What did you like the most about Aptos High?

I enjoyed playing volleyball at AHS the most, especially because of my teammates. I cherish the bonds I have forged with all my teammates over the past four years. I particularly enjoyed playing with certain players for several seasons, because I was able to form stronger bonds with them.

I’m a big believer in taking care of your mental health, especially when I’m under pressure at school, and my teammates have helped ease my stress. An added bonus was reconnecting with friends and teammates (from my club team) from other schools when we faced off.

Parents: Nicole Young and Evan Yeaman

Aiden Niklaus

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I plan to take a year off. I hope I can spend this time exploring more of the world’s different perspectives, cultures and communities.

After this adventure, I would like to go to university to study engineering and then go to higher education to obtain my master’s degree in engineering.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

In first year, I was part of the ASB Leadership team, I played basketball and lacrosse. In second grade, I played basketball and lacrosse. In first grade, I played lacrosse.

In my senior year, I played basketball and lacrosse, and was the head of the buoyancy motor for the school’s robotics team.

How has Covid affected your high school experience?

As with most, there were positives and negatives resulting from COVID-19 (pun intended). Although I really enjoyed the distance learning format because I could get up late, get out of school early, and have less homework, and still learn a whole lot of stuff, we couldn’t do much sports, we couldn’t do some classroom activities like labs, and couldn’t see our friends.

Looking on the bright side, however, as I mentioned above, I slept so much and it was super nice!

What did you like the most about Aptos High?

I love coming into class and being surrounded by super smart, nice people. Every day I learn something from someone and no one is ever mean and/or condescending when sharing their knowledge.

Whether it’s from my teacher or a peer (or both, which is often the case), it’s such a great feeling to know that I’ll walk into class every day and learn something new. new, then walk out of class every day and feel like I’ve progressed as an individual.

Parents: Colleen Niklaus and Andrew Niklaus

•••
Salutatorians: Julia Marin, Sherry Choy, Ava Hymes

Julia Marin

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I’m going to get back to making lace! My major will be math

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

Speech and debate as well as volleyball.

How has Covid affected your high school experience?

I think it really helped me learn how to manage my team through distance learning.

What did you like the most about Aptos High?

My favorite thing is how passionate our teachers are about their subject and how much they care about us.

Parents: Magda Nowosielska and Jose Marin

Sherry Choy

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I plan to attend UC Davis as a biology major starting next fall term.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I belong to three clubs at Aptos High, two of which I held leadership positions. These are the LEO Club, the SciComm (Community in Science) Club and the Art Club.

How has Covid affected your high school experience?

Going through COVID and distance learning in high school was definitely interesting. Although it was nice to be in the comfort of my home, I also missed getting out and seeing friends and family.

I’ve also found that being in a physical classroom is much more engaging for me, personally, as I learn. But I found ways to adapt to the new learning environment I found myself in.

What did you like the most about Aptos High?

There was a lot to enjoy at Aptos High, like spiritual weeks or our school plays. There are also wonderful teachers who make classes fun and enjoyable, as well as supportive staff and an overall friendly community.

Parents: Pang Choy and Mei Lu.

Ava Hymes

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I plan to attend UCLA and major in environmental science.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I played college football for all four years of high school. I also dabbled in athletics, the Surfrider Club and the sustainable fashion club.

How has Covid affected your high school experience?

The Covid shutdown forced me to become a more independent and motivated student, as my schedule was far less structured than I was used to. It was hard not seeing friends and teachers at school every day and having short sports seasons, but I think it made me appreciate my senior year even more.

What did you like the most about Aptos High?

I enjoyed the friendships I made and going to CCS with my soccer team.

Parents: Alan Hymes and Lindsey Macbeth-Hymes

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