Student Blog

Life as the GeoTech Treasurer

by Gabriela Jaimes, 11th Grade

May 3, 2022


I enjoy being involved in the Geotech academy, which is why I am the treasurer and head of the fundraising committee for the academy. As treasurer of the academy there are duties I am responsible for completing. For example, I count the money we raise after every fundraiser has ended and deposit that money to our account in the finance office. The fundraising committee is responsible for coming up with ideas on how to raise money for the academy. The money we raise goes towards projects, field trips and anything related to the academy.

Through the school year so far the fundraising committee has had 3 successful fundraisers. Our first fundraising event took place in October selling Butter Braids. Butter Braids are a pastry that come in different flavors. Students in the academy sold Butter Braids to their friends and family members. Those who bought a Butter Braid would place their order online or in person with a student and receive the pastry in time for Thanksgiving.

Our second fundraiser took place in December selling holiday treats. The fundraising committee would set up a table in the quad of the school during lunch. Students were able to choose a holiday treat to send to someone in the school. The treats were delivered the friday before we went on winter break for those who received one could enjoy it over the holidays. The type of treats we offered were single hot chocolate kits, candy canes, mini stockings filled with candies, and holiday themed stuffed animals. Our third fundraiser happened in February selling 3D printed keychains for Valentines day. These keychains were heart shaped and came in 6 different colors. Students were able to customize the keychain by putting a message, name or initials on the face of the heart. Just like the holiday fundraiser, we set up a table in the quad for students to place an order or make a payment.


The fundraising committee and I are proud to have had successful fundraisers and are looking forward to proceeding to raise money for the academy.

ACE Program

by Victor Zuniga, 11th Grade

March 1st, 2022


I participate in a scholarship program called ACE Mentor, it builds on a program that engages each year and offers internship opportunities. The ACE Program picks us and half of our academy is participating. The ACE Mentor Program provides an introduction and guidance into engineering. In the program I've learned how to redesign a building, how to collaborate with colleagues, and how to share ideas about a project to say it's a good program. We went on a field trip after school and passed a building next to the post office on 8th Ave. It was a closed library. And they ask us what we think about it. I like the way our thoughts interact with each other because we come up with similar ideas on how to do this project. We also came up with what we could do better to make this project work. We made designs and drawings and added things to the building that could be better. We also had pros and cons of the idea of ​​libraries along with other details we could add around the blocks. This program gives students a good mindset as they set off to become something they don't know yet. For example those who do and pursue careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering industries (including skilled trades).

If you are interested in participating in the program, it is not too late to register! Please contact Ms. Rivers or Mr. Leka to let us know if you are interested in this scholarship program. For Geo-tech students, this can be a great opportunity to do something new.

A Breakdown of the GeoTech Leadership Team

by Emily Law, 12th Grade, GeoTech President 21/22

January 28, 2021


The Geotech Leadership Team is responsible for a variety of important tasks. This year we reintroduced committees and have been utilizing them more. So far, we have five committees: Event Planning, Social Media, Fundraising, Design, and Outreach/Website. The GeoTech Leadership Team meets once a month, and the committees meet more often, depending on what is planned.


GeoTech officers presenting at the first leadership team meeting of the 21/22 school year.

Seth Rios and Tiffany Lopez introducing the JROTC food drive academy competition.

Each committee has an important job to do. The Social Media committee is in charge of making posts and organizing the Geotech Instagram page. The Fundraising committee is in charge of organizing and running fundraisers, like our Butter Braids fundraiser and concession stands at school events. The Design committee is responsible for designing shirts and merchandise for the academy. Event planning is in charge of planning and organizing events. Outreach is responsible for spreading the word about GeoTech and talking to students about what we stand for, getting people to join the academy and managing the academy website.


Most recently the Event Planning committee planned a fall field day that took place in October. At the field day, we had stations set up where we would award tickets for completing or winning games. The stations were led by committee and leadership team members. These stations were pumpkin painting, potato sack racing, frisbee tic-tac-toe, cornhole, and trivia. The top ten students with the most tickets got to pie Geotech officers or teachers. I was chosen to be pied twice but only one pie hit me. Ms. Rivers, Secretary Victor Zuniga, and Mr. Leka (who also has to get frosted tips because he lost a bet to a student) were also chosen to pied as well. The field day went very well and we look forward to having another one in the spring.

President Emily Law getting a pie in the face by fellow senior Michael Clark at the Fall Field Day.

Field Day Fun

by Seth Rios, 11th Grade, GeoTech Vice President 21/22

December 7, 2021


I think we can all agree that quarantine and distance learning was not ideal for most of us and totally ruined a whole year and a half of our lives. Each and every one of us were affected in our own unique way, but those new experiences helped with character growth. One of the worst parts of those 17 extremely long months was the separation from people, not seeing people (who weren’t family) was kind of hard for a lot of us and so when we were told we would get to come back it made us hopeful and excited, but also extremely anxious. This theme carried into GeoTech, even though technically we were still an academy with cohorted classes it didn’t feel like it. Staring at a screen all day did not help us feel connected to each other, instead it made us feel more distanced, we had lost that sense of family and community that comes with being part of an academy. Coming back to school in person we wanted to change that, even though we were back in class together it was still hard to make that shift and transition, we needed an extra push. The Leadership Team came up with an idea, something that could gather us together to help us come closer again, a Field Day.

Event planning committee member Logan leads students in playing bean bag toss.

11th graders April and Ila showing off their Duo Day costumes!

In the event planning committee we helped, as the name suggests, plan the event. We had 3 full weeks to plan this and we made the most of it. Right off the bat we knew we wanted to have a range of games that would all build up to one final event. That event being the pie throwing, in which the top 5 players of the whole event got to choose which teacher or officer they wanted to pie, which was a huge selling point for a lot of people. For the rest of it we made it up along the way, some of the games that we really wanted to do weren’t able to be done simply because we didn’t have the materials for them (tug of war, dodgeball, etc.), but that didn’t really affect us and we were still able to do all of the things we wanted to do. There was one problem that we faced, and that came with the location we had chosen. For the event, we wanted a lot of room so we could fit many people and separate the games instead of having everyone crowded in one spot, so originally we planned on having it on the football field but we weren’t able to get permission for it so we decided on the softball field. However what we didn’t know was the softball field didn’t have any outlets, so we weren’t able to do some of the food we wanted, like the popcorn machine. We were able to surpass this problem and it still ended up being great! This Field Day was perfect, and it did exactly what we intended it to do.

This is only my second year in GeoTech, my first year was with distance learning, I never did get to experience first hand what it felt like to be a part of the academy in person. I had little bits and pieces, something to give me an idea of what an academy is like, I had already had Mrs. Rivers my freshman year, and I had known many of the kids inside the academy, which influenced me to join. This event gave me a taste of it, it showed me what the academy could be like, sure our “main purpose” might be advertised as learning green engineering but personally I think it’s all about community and connecting with a group of people for your whole high school career. Seeing everyone there, bonding and having fun with each other helped remind me why I chose to be in GeoTech.

Leo throws a pie at Ms. Rivers (who ducks!).

More photos from the Fall Field Day!

(click the arrows on the image to the right)

Thank You, GeoTech

by Hunter Hayes, 12th Grade, GeoTech Vice President 19/20

June 7, 2021


To the current and future GeoTech Academy students,


You may have joined GeoTech because it was the only option, because your friends did, or some other reason. For whatever reason you became part of the academy, don’t let that be the only reason you did. You might hear your teachers and Dr. Ducat call GeoTech a family, while we might not look like a typical family, we are. Outstanding circumstances aside, the people in your GeoTech cohorted classes will be with you for the entirety of your high school career. In time you may grow to rely on them just as you might with your actual family, I know I did.

GeoTech was probably the best thing that's happened to me in my educational career. It has opened so many doors, introduced me to lifelong friends, and shown me some interests I didn’t know I had. The thing with GeoTech is, and I know it's cliché, the more you put in, the more you will get out. If you want to cruise that's cool, but if you put in some effort here and there you will find that it is so much more rewarding. Remember, GeoTech is similar to a school club in some ways, we have a president, vice-president, and so on. So if you have an idea or have something that you think is worthy of GeoTech’s attention don’t hesitate to put yourself out there and make a stand. It won’t go unnoticed and even if it's shot down it won’t be without consideration and/or good reason. GeoTech has always focused on it's students, every field trip, every event, every opportunity has been for the benefit of those in the academy. GeoTech is here for you. My advice, hang on because it's going to be one wild ride.

To the GeoTech Academy teachers,


The past four years have been the best years of my life. There are no words to convey how much of an impact you have made on my life and my school career. I came into GeoTech as a scared freshman whose dominant hand was broken. And from day 1, you made it feel like I was welcome and whatever happened I would come out just fine. To all the teachers, the support and attention you give to your students is unmatched. Mr. Sleeper, your relatability and sense the playing field is more or less level between you and your students is what makes your classes so engaging and fun to be in. Ms. Segura, your openness, the feeling that you will always be there, I have never seen someone who outwardly shows that as much as you do. Ms. Rivers, the devotion and care you give to all of your students is unparalleled and I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for me. All of this is what makes GeoTech GeoTech, not the events, the field trips, the classes, the opportunities, You, the teachers make GeoTech what it is today.

Dean Ducat, Director Ducat, AD Ducat, Dr. J, Dr. Ducat, Ms. Ducat,

Don’t think I forgot about you, I’m not sure that's possible after everything you’ve taught and shown me. From being one of the greatest english/AVID teachers I’ve had to the greatest mentor in the world. Every lesson, skill, and message you taught has become a part of who I am. Being your student and then working with you to support and better GT has been some of the greatest experiences ever and shaped me into the person I am today. I think the best piece of you that I managed to take is some of your drive. You have an enormous amount of energy and you devote so much of it to your work and to those who are affected by it, it's crazy to think about how big of a role you play not just in GeoTech but in and at SDHS.


I’ve always had trouble with conclusions and goodbyes for that matter. I will forever miss being a student at San Diego High, School of Science and Technology, GeoTech Academy. Even though I will only be 15-20 minutes away it feels like a million miles. In my time in GeoTech I have made so many extraordinary memories and friendships. The only way to understand what GeoTech is, is to join and become part of the family that is staff and students of GeoTech. GeoTech best tech!


Sincerely,

Hunter W. Hayes (Class of 2021, GeoTech VP 19/20)

GeoTech Memories

by Armando Rios, 12th Grade, GeoTech Treasurer

December 14, 2020

Originally I wanted to be in iTech because I was interested in filmmaking. But instead I joined GeoTech with “If I don’t like it I can change” in mind. I don’t regret my decision. GeoTech is the best tech.

It’s been an exciting four years so far. I’ve learned so many things about engineering and myself. I’ve made so many memories and friendships while being in Geotech. Freshman year is where I met people that are essentially family to me. Not just fellow students but the teachers and staff. Shout out to Ms. Rivers for being the teacher that stands out for being the best, as well as to Ms.Ducat for being the most helpful. In Geotech you will always learn something new almost every day. Especially in the projects which the majority of are hands on. My favorite project was making models on Autodesk Inventor. I liked that one a lot because I believe that project pertains to what will hopefully be my career one day, making prototypes on Inventor, then making them into reality. Another great memory I have of Geotech was in sophomore year when Ms. Rivers helped me and many others get a job at the San Diego Zoo. Being taught the proper skills for a job interview was the most helpful thing that not many people get the opportunity to have. I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it myself. Finally, no one in Geotech could forget the field trips. The best field trip was going to see the windmill farm in Palm Springs later to head up to Mount San Jacinto to have a snow day. As well as going to engineering day at Knott’s Berry Farm to go on the rides all day.

In this coming semester, I will have my Geotech class with Ms. Rivers once more and I hope the memories will continue to come. Go Geotech!

What GeoTech Means to Me

by Eric Williamson, 10th Grade, GeoTech Secretary

October 25, 2020

You would think I would have a simple answer, but in reality, I have no clue how to put this into a short and sweet format. GeoTech has shown me how to be a better person environmentally. I’ve learned the importance of connections and relationships. I’m given the chance to explore how the world works and how to better it. All of these things and so much more truly makes the GeoTech Academy an incredible and fulfilling path.

As you may know, GeoTech contains cohort classes that allow students to create memorable friends. We develop and learn from each other. Our teachers get to see all of our growth and it honestly inspires me to perform at my best. I look forward to connecting with more people and meeting new opportunities.

While it may only be my second year in the academy, I can tell that the person who walked into the school as a freshman, will walk out as an entirely new person. GeoTech is innovative. GeoTech is passion. GeoTech is a family. While on paper, it stands for green engineering occupations, it’s really a life-altering path that creates and nurtures skills and better your understanding of how to make the world a better place. That’s what Geotech means to me.

A Piece of Advice

by Anissa Chavarria, 12th Grade, GeoTech President

October 12, 2020

Being a part of the GeoTech Academy means being exposed to an abundant amount of resources and opportunities. My biggest piece of advice would be to take advantage of them. Going through high school can be intimidating at times but it is important to note that as the GeoTech family, we are here to benefit and support each other.

One of my favorite opportunities offered to students is the chance to work either at the San Diego Zoo or Sea World. Last summer, during class we were set up through an interviewing process with zoo and Sea World employees. I ended up getting hired at the zoo and working a summer job there which is by far my favorite experience I’ve had connected to the academy. Given that my career field of interest is environmental engineering, the zoo allowed me to expand my knowledge by teaching us their conservation efforts and how they contribute to a cleaner earth. Now that I have been an employee there, I will always have the chance to be rehired if I’d like to.

The biggest resource to be taken from GeoTech in my opinion would be the relationships you build with people, not only within the classroom, but through networking as well. An example of this would be our field trip we take to the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers. On this trip, we take a tour of their site as well as doing hands-on activities (like wiring a doorbell). They also go over what schooling and finance looks like within their trade and they offer an opportunity for students to apply. This is a great resource for students who want to get into a trade and not necessarily go through a 4 year.

There is a diverse amount of opportunities and resources that GeoTech offers that cater to the interest of all students. Taking advantage of them is a good way to kick start life after high school.

My Experience with GeoTech

by Emily Law, 11th Grade, GeoTech Vice President

September 21, 2020

The GeoTech academy has provided me with numerous opportunities that have all led me to grow as an engineer and a person. It’s so much more than a cohort; it’s a community of people with a common passion that has led to so many great friendships. There are so many wonderful things I would’ve missed out on if I didn’t join.

My freshman year started off with a field trip to iFly. We learned how indoor skydiving worked and afterwards we got to actually go indoor skydiving. While we were waiting we had a lot of time to get to know each other. We also did a lot of things with IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). One time they came to San Diego High and helped us install solar panels that pumped up one of those inflatable guys you see at a car dealership. Then we got to uninstall and load them into a truck. I also was able to go to many luncheons about women in engineering and in other male dominated fields, which were always interesting because you got to ask questions about what the field was like and what they do. It was very refreshing because there are very few girls in my class and normally when we go on engineering field trips you don’t see a lot of women.

I really enjoyed my sophomore year. I got to go on some really cool field trips. The GeoTech Leadership Team got to go to California Adventures for leadership training. We did a bunch of different exercises to help us become better leaders. After the training was done we got to go on the rides, which was a ton of fun. My favorite field trip however was when we went to Knott's Berry Farm. When we arrived we went to a seminar about how roller coasters work and what their jobs were like, it was very interesting. Then I got to spend the rest of the day at the park with my friends.

This year I am the Vice President of the academy, which is very exciting because being in GeoTech has been a very positive experience. It has really helped me grow as a leader and become more confident . I can’t wait to see what junior year has in store and to get back to school.