Do you speak French? That’s one of the first things that people say when they meet Paris Southworth. Her name is the capital of France, but it is a place she has yet to visit. She does hope to get there someday.

She wasn’t named after anyone but nobody else in her family has a name that evokes such interesting travel ideas.

Southworth is not the only student whose name represents a place. Egypt Hughes was named after a country nearly 2000 miles away from Paris. She hasn’t travelled to Egypt yet but hopes to sometime in the next few years.

Hughes is very talented. She enjoys rapping, acting and modeling. “When I turn 14, I will go pursue my dreams,” she said.

Like Southworth, Hughes was not named after anyone. “My mother just likes my name,” she said. Her family likes creative names. Her sister’s name is Eyonte Hughes-Hall while her cousins are Armijo students Taylen and Tayvian Keys. All three of them are graduating in June, but when she graduates in 2022, Hughes wants to go to Cal State East Bay.

“If you have a dream, don’t let anybody else take it away from you,” said Hughes.