Seniors have applied for different colleges, anticipated what colleges will accept their application, and finally committed to a college. They are preparing for the day to walk the stage with applause and cheers, surrounded by people who supported them along the way.
This is the journey for the Class of 2025, who will graduate on June 17th, 2025. As the 2024- 2025 school year comes to a close, seniors have already announced the colleges or the separate paths they have committed to on SIR day. Preuss is known for preparing students for excellence and sending them off to a four year college. This is the case for senior Andy Phan (‘25).
Andy Phan is one the three salutatorians for the Class of 2025. He is currently the Co-President of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Club and is also the Co-President of Robotics Club. He has also interned with San Diego County to help with youth-centered public policy.
“[My accomplishments are] being one of the first people in my grade to start a club, Badminton club, planning an AAPI festival in our community and later starting a non profit Rising APIA Youth, Leading service projects through Key Club and stepping up to lead our division.”
After graduating high school, Andy will start his journey at Sixth College at UCSD, majoring in Computer Science.
“After speaking to many people and thinking carefully about my choices, I made the decision to commit to UCSD. It was the most mature decision I could have made for my future self and to truly be independent on my own,” he states.
Computer Science stood out to Andy because he believes it is creative and plays a key role in many careers today. He believes that this skillset opens for opportunities to make a change. After graduating college, he would like to pursue a career in Tech Policy, shaping laws surrounding technology that affect public safety, privacy, and civil rights. He also hopes to be very successful without being corrupt, independent, and to own a coffee shop in the future.
“I’ve always enjoyed coding and design, which sparked my interest in computer science. I wanted to do more than just write code—I wanted to solve real problems and create tools people actually use.”
Looking back at his high school years, Andy thinks his experience at Preuss was rough but a very valuable journey for him. Preuss helped him grow and explore his personal interests through internships, clubs, and leadership opportunities.
“One challenge I faced in high school was socializing and public speaking. But by practicing regularly and taking on leadership roles in clubs, I gradually became more comfortable and improved my communication skills. Leading meetings and events helped me gain confidence and connect better with people.”
Throughout his senior year, Andy thinks that it was the skills that he learned in leadership positions like public speaking and efficiency helped him in aspects like applying for colleges. Andy also is very proud of the achievements he made so far and his long journey at Preuss is ending on a good note for him.
Andy reflects, “My senior highlight was applying for college and seeing my peers support each other while working hard to reach their goals. It felt like finally facing the moment we’ve all been preparing for since starting at Preuss.”
Going through high school, Andy realized that even taking a small role within clubs or groups can make a big impact. He believes in not letting leadership define students but to instead focus on the dedication and effort that is put into certain positions or work. He also tries to get himself familiarized with stepping out of his comfort zone to try new things and opportunities.
Phan offers his final advice to underclassmen: “Work hard and believe in yourself. Reach out and talk to people, especially those outside your usual circle. Building connections can lead to new experiences and help you grow.”
