Valedictorians of 1995

High school valedictorians from the City Times area were recently asked to give readers a glimpse of their college and career plans, and to take an educated guess at what life in Los Angeles will be like for all of us in the years to come.

HERIBERTO CUEVA

Los Angeles High School

Plans: Will attend USC and major in biology. Wants to eventually become a doctor and practice medicine in the Los Angeles area.

Vision for L.A.: While some may feel that Los Angeles is a city in decline, many factors indicate a more positive outlook. The great technical advancements in many areas will contribute to maintaining Los Angeles among the great cities in the world. The 21st Century will bring a number of challenges, all met by the working together of the great mixture of ideas and minds of the people in Los Angeles.

ROBERT M. CUZA

Loyola High School

Plans: Will attend Stanford University, majoring in English. Career goals undecided, but may pursue writing or journalism.

Vision for L.A.: I envision a more racially unified Los Angeles in the 21st Century, undivided by racial, ethnic and socioeconomic barriers that so bitterly divide our neighborhoods. I envision a Los Angeles devoid of homelessness, poverty and senseless street violence. I envision a city which is a model of love, peace, social justice and harmony, boldly leading our nation into the third millennia.

ANDY FONG

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

Plans: Will attend UCLA and major in engineering with a premed focus. Also plans to minor in business. Seeking an medical degree as well as a Ph.D. Planning a career in medicine.

Vision for L.A.: As we enter the 21st Century, Los Angeles remains the city on the cutting edge. Post-recession L.A. looks to recover from the economic problems of earlier this decade to resume its place among the most prosperous cities in the nation and the world.

ENRIQUE GARCIA

John C. Fremont High School

Plans: Plans to be a business major at USC. Looking to become a finance director of a Fortune 500 company.

Vision for L.A.: From its days as a pueblo to today’s international city, Los Angeles has been known for its courage, determination, compassion and resilience. The recent disasters have exemplified these qualities, which I believe will help materialize my visions for Los Angeles.

I envision a racist-free city, since our youth has seen the darkness and sadness of a racist world. I envision a cleaner Los Angeles since our youth has suffered the perils of pollution. I envision a glorious city where education if valued and respected and where nobody is denied the right to learn, prosper and live due to their legal status.

DOROTHY KWAN

Woodrow Wilson High School

Plans: Will attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she will study computer science and engineering.

Vision for L.A.: I visualize a future of ethnic bonding, both physically and socially. We will be one people, yet encompass all peoples. Strengthened by our united diversity, working positively together will come as second nature, encouraging us to take the extra step in reaching out and helping meet the needs of society as we strive to improve our individual status.

KIM LAY

Belmont High School

Plans: Will attend Stanford University, possibly majoring in biochemistry. Interested in a career in medicine or as a biochemist.

Vision for L.A.: A woman just off the late shift waits for the last bus home. Suddenly, three thugs approach her wielding knives. However, before they can do anything, down swoops Superbatkim, who saves the day every day.

If this sounds far-fetched, it’s because I’m not clairvoyant. I don’t know what Los Angeles will be like. All I know is that I will try my best to make it a safer place.

ADRIANA PONCE

Locke High School

Plans: Will attend the University of California, Riverside. She will study engineering with the goal of becoming a civil engineer.

Vision for L.A.: I envision Los Angeles as a city with the most advanced technology in the nation. Los Angeles is a city that is composed of people from all around the world. Presently, this diversity of faces seems to be a major problem, but in the 21st Century, that will be a major contribution to the city’s success.

RANIER LOPEZ

Huntington Park High School

Plans: Will enroll at USC, where he will possibly study law.

Vision for L.A.: In my vision, the future of Huntington Park is progressive. The emphasis for education is growing. Two elementary schools were recently opened and a satellite of East Los Angeles College was established to offer classes and services to the neighborhood. Huntington Park High School was also fortunate to receive grants which will be helpful in instilling in the minds of students the importance of education.

MARISELA SALAZAR

Garfield High School

Plans: Will attend Cal State Los Angeles, majoring in English and minoring in Chicano studies. Planning a career in law.

Vision for L.A.: Los Angeles will reach its zenith during the 21st Century. This city will become a leader in many respects. The tests of will set before Los Angeles during the 20th Century will have been character-builders confronted with pride and dignity.

The 21st Century will bring a new era to Los Angeles, an era of understanding, serenity and compassion.

MARIA TREVINO

Jordan High School

Plans: Will attend Occidental College as a pre-law major specializing in political science.

Vision for L.A.: Los Angeles is the home of all races. This cultural blend adds to our wealth and can be our savior or our downfall. Currently, educational funding threatens our state’s survival. Those who determine the future of Los Angeles are the young people. We are the ones who can see the problems and understand the directions we must go. We will try to change what is wrong and keep what is beneficial.

Our city is a great city and will continue to be great throughout the 21st Century. We have proven that we will survive, and we will continue to overcome.

PETER WU

Bell Gardens High School

Plans: Will enroll at the University of California, Berkeley and major in electrical engineering and computer science.

Vision for L.A.: I see a city of greatness, a city without racial barriers and a city with a lot of ongoing success stories from youth. I see every child in Los Angeles having the unique human trait of being able to learn, and using that ability to progress in life. I see students getting more involved in technology and their communities.

NAEMAH ZARIF

Immaculate Heart

Plans: Will attend Wheaton College in Massachusetts, where she has made tentative plans to study international relations.

Vision for L.A.: Los Angeles in the 21st Century could be envisioned in a variety of ways. My vision may be criticized for being excessively optimistic and unrealistic, but in the 21st Century I see L.A. as a place that builds parks instead of mini-marts, museums rather than arcades and schools before jails.