As the class of 2025 wraps up their last year at Preuss, they are closing an important chapter in their lives and beginning a new one. One of these students is Dihanna Garcia Bautista (‘25). She is one of the 2024-2025 Varsity Cheer captains alongside Katherine Loaiza (‘25).
Dihanna has four years of experience in cheer; with her good teamwork and communication skills, she was able to obtain the cheer captain position this year.
“[My cheer captain role] includes working with my peer cheer captain to lead our team through dance routines for Homecoming and Airband, teaching cheers, and attending all home games,” states Dihanna Garcia Bautista (‘25).
However, when it comes to college, Dihanna originally wanted to study Architecture at the University of New Mexico, but she ended up committing to San Diego State University to major in Interior Architecture. Additionally, after she graduates college, she hopes to become an interior architect while still attending Graduate school to earn her Masters in Interior Architecture.
“I decided to stay here because I found it too overwhelming having to move to another state with no knowledge of the place, but also because it started to look more into interior architecture and it fit more with what my personal interests are, like art, and design,” states Bautista (‘25).
Dihanna has an idea of what she wants in her life for the future. She hopes to attend and graduate SDSU, eventually find a good job, become financially stable, and buy a home.
“I also hope to continue my education in graduate school to get a masters in interior architecture. Throughout these years I plan to save money to buy my dream truck, and to be able to provide for my family,” states Garcia Bautista (‘25).
One of the big takeaways Dihanna learned at Preuss and is taking with her to college is managing time. She mentions that Preuss prepares students for college with college courses, varsity sports, clubs, and different extracurriculars. The different responsibilities taught her how to manage my time to be able to finish all her work for each of her classes/ extracurriculars.
“Throughout my high school years I also learned that change is not always a bad thing. There is always something to look forward to, you will always gain experience, and skills no matter what your setting,” states Garcia Bautista (‘25).
Dihanna had many memorable moments here at Preuss, many of them being with her cheer team.
“This year we had girls and boys soccer for homecoming which took place at the UCSD Triton soccer stadium. This is one of the big high school events that a lot of students look forward to because everyone gets in their school spirit and it’s one of the times where we are seen very united while cheering for our school team.”
Additionally, one of the factors she liked about high school was the variety of clubs that students are allowed to join. She also enjoys the independence that students get from being in high school in general.
“Being in charge of your own work, your own clubs, your own sports makes you feel more responsibility and results in gaining organization skills And it also teaches you to manage your own time.”
Being a student at Preuss isn’t easy, Dihanna feels managing your time is one of the most important things upcoming seniors need to learn as they prepare for college.
Dihanna gives her final piece of advice for underclassmen: “Find balance between your social life and your academic life. Yes, school work matters and you should definitely study for all your tests but don’t overstimulate yourself with too much work. But take time for yourself to relax or to spend time with your friends and family as it is the last year you will see them all in the same setting.”
