As the class of 2025’s year comes to an end, seniors are leaving with their last goodbyes and their new hellos to their upcoming college life. The class of 2025 has many students with lively, ambitious, and strong GPA (grade point average) holders. Ni Ni Tran is one of these seniors. They plan to continue keeping those aspects of their life for the University of California San Diego (UCSD) this fall.
Ni Ni has been at Preuss since 6th grade and has been involved in many extra-curricular activities over the years. They played Varsity volleyball their Junior and Senior year. Ni Ni has incorporated a lot of their time in ASB events such as the 2025 Carnival. Additionally, this year they’ve been participating in crochet club, fashion club, and MUN club.
“I did a lot for the art club. I joined the art club because my friend joined, but then over time it was like ‘oh it’s a pretty chill club’ and then when the president graduated, no one was going to take over so I was like ‘okay I’ll take over’ and then I ended up really liking it. Because, first of all, the people and the environment are great and I have something nice to do and every time we finish a project I’m really proud of it,” says Tran (25’).
Despite their passion in art, they also developed a passion for history during high school. That passion had a big role in deciding what they wanted to major in for their future career. At first they originally majored in political science, but switched it to Ethnic Studies.
“So at first I did political science because like all the history teachers I know, like Ms. Ezparza, Ms. Boquerin; they majored in political science, so I was like ‘oh I want to be a history teacher,’ let me major in that. And then I forgot how much I don’t like the government right now and then I was like I don’t really want to learn about that. So I was like okay, let me do ethnic studies because I just found out UCSD has that,” states Tran (25’).
For their future career they plan to major in Ethnic Studies to become a high school history teacher, but if that is not the case they plan to become a high school college advisor. Ni Ni was only ever planning on committing to their dream school UCSD.
“The other colleges I got into were University of California Riverside , San Diego State University , and California State University of Santa Marcos. I thought about SDSU and UCR but then UCSD gave me free [tuition], like, everything for free and it’s close to my family,” says Tran (25’).
Ni Ni has taken into account the many opportunities that Preuss has given them, such as scholarships to sign up for.
“Ms. Bandy, she’s a college advisor. She’s a really big opportunity and like you have to utilize what she gives you well because she would post scholarships, and I feel like not a lot of schools really do that. They’re literally handing you free money, might as well follow her advice. I feel like that’s one big thing that I took advantage of,” commented Tran (25’).
Ni Ni has shared some advice that they wish they would have gotten earlier in life because they had some regrets that they would have changed during her time at Preuss. One of their biggest regrets at Preuss that they would have done differently is not doing the Bridge for Kids scholarship sooner.
“Because at first I didn’t want to apply for a Bridge for Kids because one, I was lazy and two, I was lazy. And I didn’t apply, but then I applied in ninth grade but then I didn’t finish the application process because I was lazy and then I finished it in eleventh grade but because it took me so long to finish my application they docked points off of me. So I didn’t get the scholarship, but I really wanted to because I would see all this cool stuff my friends would be able to get. They give you free money! Like please do it,” exclaimed Tran (25’).
Throughout the years Ni Ni has had some fun times going out with their friends at Preuss and now they’re ready to make some new friends. In addition, they are getting prepared for her upcoming college living experiences.
“I’m really looking forward to dorm life because I’m going to be able to dorm at UCSD, and I want to be away from my family and just do what I want to do on my own time and not be on their schedule. And I’m really just looking forward to the freedom,” says Tran (25’).
Throughout the seven years at Preuss, Ni Ni has had many experiences and challenges they’ve been having to face and hopes that underclassmen in high school will listen and take their advice.
“Don’t let your laziness get to you! Please, even though you don’t feel like doing your work at that moment, think about how much it will benefit you in the future, like literally going to clubs, go apply for scholarships, go outside. You’re going to blink and all of a sudden you’re going to become a senior, like, it’s kind of embarrassing,” exclaimed Tran (25’).
