Lauren Quiambao has mixed feelings about wrapping up her senior year at Armijo this June. “I’ve been attending Armijo since August of 2018, going on my fourth year,” she said. “Freshman year, I started Leadership and that has helped me get involved with a lot of school activities. I’m going to miss all the fun memories I’ve made on this campus and my teachers.”

The memories of her sophomore and junior years are, like everyone’s, different from those of the graduating classes before hers, due to COVID-19, but she didn’t allow Distance Learning to hold her back. “I did enjoy learning from home during the last year and a half of the pandemic. My perception has changed as a senior because I learned that life is too short. I also learned that you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not just to fit in. I enjoy meeting new people, kindness doesn’t cost a thing.”

While college is just around the corner, she hasn’t narrowed down her choices yet. She did say that she wants to stay in California and major in economics, but her ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot.

While she plans to take to the skies after high school, her element during her time at Armijo is the water as she swims competitively as well as plays water polo. Her hobby is making art. “My favorite memory about Armijo is when I would be playing my instrument around the campus with The Armijo Super Marching Band,” she said. “I’ll miss the memories with my friends the most.

For those who are just starting at Armijo, she encouraged them to “please remember that you must fail to become successful.”

Quiambao’s role models are her parents, although she might also serve as a role model for her younger sister Lacie.