By Tori Kitchens
Senior Julia Gordan has been part of the Oak Hall (OHS) community from the very beginning of her schooling experience. Known for her academic prowess, she has excelled in most areas including STEM and Global Affairs.
As an AP scholar with many hobbies, Gordan has committed a lot of her spare time to the benefit of others within the school. Her involvement in clubs like Future Medical Professionals Club (FMPC), National Honor Society, and Environmental Club has helped her reach her goal of leaving a positive impact at OHS. Gordan has continued to follow her passions in OHS clubs by stepping into leadership positions in each of these clubs her senior year.
Wanting to pursue a career in medicine and global health, she has taken the role of president of FMPC. “FMPC introduced me to the concept of using medicine to serve the community – whether it be through blood drives or public health – and redefined my perspective towards STEM,” Gordan acknowledged. “My unending passion and academic success in STEM classes furthered my curiosity for the biological sciences and were key in encouraging me to explore extracurriculars related to STEM.”
Gordan wanted to further her participation in National Honor Society this year by becoming Vice President. “Alongside wanting [to] organize the annual NHS food drive, I became the NHS Vice President as I wanted to invest myself more into service as a whole and make it a priority in my extracurriculars,” Gordan stated.
Looking back at her time at OHS, Gordan credits teachers like Mrs. Christine Gutierrez (math) and Ms. Kristin Wilson (science) for further building her love of STEM and helping others alongside her own competitive spirit. “I began to enjoy the challenge and craved advanced classes not just for the competition but for challenge of comprehending college-level material. Gordan will continue this competitive edge as she will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall and will study biological sciences and global health.
A – Advice you’d give your freshman-self? Enjoy the ride, but always keep working hard.
B – Best meal? Anything from Brazil.
C – Teacher’s best words of advice? Just any type of encouragement I heard last year.
D – Favorite dessert? This dessert called brigadeiro from Brazil.
E – Most entertaining class? AP Bio last year.
F – Favorite high school moment? Walks with Christina (Sarantos) in the morning.
G – Goals for your senior year? Have fun and get into a good college.
H – Hoping to attend which college? MIT or UChicago. (Filmed before committing to UChicago)
I – Interesting thing you do? Horseback riding.
J – Favorite joke? Why’d the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
K – Keys to maintaining homework? Keep an agenda and just do the work.
L – Least favorite subject? History.
M – Music you listen to? Chill pop, Steve Lacy.
N – Netflix or Hulu? Netflix.
O – What sport would you like to try that you haven’t already? Volleyball.
P – Preparations for a big test include? Listening to music, zoning out, and WebAssign.
Q – Question you would ask your future self? How am I helping the world?
R – Most relaxing part of your day? Playing with my dog when I get home.
S – What would your senior superlative be? Probably “Most Likely to get a Nobel Peace Prize”.
T – Favorite TV show? The Office or Modern Family…Modern Family!!
U – Most underrated pet? Cats.
V – Favorite vacation spot? Paris is pretty cool.
W – What does it mean to you to be an Eagle? I think it means being supportive and always trying to be the best version of yourself for everyone else.
X – How many x-rays have you had? Oh God, probably like 20 at this point. 20.
Y – Your impact to younger students? I hope I can just be an inspiration to the younger kids and try and teach them to be nice to other people.
Z – What is your zodiac sign? Capricorn.
