SLO LIFE Dec/Jan 2020

| ON THE RISE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Evan Jenkins
San Luis Obispo High School senior EVAN JENKINS
has received numerous academic excellence awards,
Medals of Honorary Merit in Latin, the Mayor’s Award
for Community Service, and was recognized as a
National Merit Scholar. We sat down to ask him a few
questions about himself and his future.
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in? I’ve been involved in the
nonprofit organization GleanSLO, which harvests excess produce and donates it
to the Food Bank for families in need. I have also been participating in many offseason
track practices and going to the gym. There is a long time until the start of
the season, but putting in the work now will help me have the best season I can.
What do you like to do for fun? My favorite thing to do in my free time is going
surfing. It keeps me outside and is a perfect mix of excitement—when I’m riding
a wave; and calm—when I’m waiting for one.
What is one of your favorite memories? My family took a trip to Oahu and
I had a blast being able to always go to the beach and surf some of the best
waves I’ve ever surfed. Learning about Native Hawaiian culture was also
very interesting.
What career do you see yourself in someday? I haven’t completely made up
my mind of what I want to do, but I could see myself as an environmental
engineer because I like spending time outside, and math is one of my stronger
subjects in school.
What do you want people to know about you? I would like to be known for my
work ethic, but also my willingness to have fun.
What experience has influenced you? I had a bone disorder in my elbow when I
was playing baseball, and throughout middle school and into high school, I went
through 3 surgeries, multiple casts, and an immense amount of physical therapy.
It allowed me to realize how much we take our health for granted, and how
lucky we are to live with access to many important resources. It pushed me to
appreciate what we have instead of looking at what we don’t have.
What is it that you look forward to most? I look forward to the college
experience of making new friends and exploring all of what my new home has
to offer.
What do you dislike the most? I dislike when people make excuses, or say that
they can’t do something. If you already have your mind made up that you can’t do
something, you aren’t giving yourself a fair chance, and likely will not be able to
accomplish that thing.
If you could go back in history and meet anyone, who would it be? I would go
back and meet President John F. Kennedy. I admire his leadership and way with
words while leading our nation through serious issues.
What is something that not many people know about you? I like to learn about
nutrition. I think it is really important to know what you are putting in your
body. I think this helps me make healthier choices. SLO LIFE
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38 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | DEC/JAN 2020