Nicolette (Nikki) Monique Luna emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic with some pretty impressive accomplishments under her belt. While a 16-year-old student at Bonita Vista High School, she also helmed the Southwestern College Sun newspaper and El Sol magazine into another award-winning year, earning recognition for herself along the way.
Admittedly a reluctant reader as a child, Nikki caught the publication bug in the 5th grade when she discovered DC Comics. The storytelling in comics, graphic novels, newspapers and magazines changed her academic trajectory.
Fast-forward to 2019 as a freshman in high school, Nikki was stuck at home, fully remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, like her peers. Due to the online learning environment, Nikki was pushed to learn and develop time management skills, troubleshooting on her own and connecting with peers. Nikki was able to push through this challenge through the use of lists, planners, organizational skills, patience, analytical skills and familial support.
During that time, she also did not have a lot of extra-curricular activities to choose from. That was until she discovered an advertisement for an online journalism class at Southwestern. One class in the summer of 2020 and she was instantly hooked. Nikki turned this dual-enrollment program during her sophomore year into an opportunity to meet and work with lots of people, lower her future tuition cost, obtain college credits while in high school and grow as a result of the college environment.
In her free time, Nikki serves the local community as a youth ambassador for the Bonitafest Planning Committee, is an active member of the Dog Pound Club at her high school, and is on the Mock Trial team as an Opening Attorney at Southwestern.
What Nikki dreams of is not your typical high school dream– she works hard and puts a lot on her plate to set herself up for success.
Recently San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and County Supervisor Nora Vargas recognized Nikki as one of San Diego County’s 25 Most Remarkable Teens for 2022. A huge accomplishment for someone her age, but Nikki says she won’t stop there.
Nikki aspires to graduate from high school, move to New York City, attend her dream college (Columbia University), work in the field of magazine publication or law and start her own magazine.
Nikki is a genuine, ambitious, dedicated and passionate young individual, who does what she loves. Her parting advice to her fellow peers: “Start early! Grow and get more experiences. Meet amazing people. Don’t be afraid to go for it!”
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