Young Alum Q&A: Jessica Clements '20

WHAT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ARE YOU CURRENTLY ATTENDING, AND WHAT YEAR ARE YOU?

I’m attending California Polytechnic State University, and I’m in my fourth year (senior).

WHAT MAJOR WILL YOU GRADUATE WITH?

I’ll graduate with a BS degree in agricultural business.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO STUDY AND PURSUE THESE AREAS OF INTEREST?

Growing up in the Salinas Valley, I have been surrounded by agriculture. I have a great appreciation for the industry and the importance it has in our society. The culture surrounding it is what inspired me to pursue this degree.

WHAT OTHER EXPERIENCES (ACADEMIC OR OTHERWISE) HAVE YOU ENJOYED IN COLLEGE?

Throughout my four years, I have been a part of Cal Poly’s Division I softball team. Being a student-athlete has had its challenges, but it was so rewarding to be able to do what I love.

WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AFTER GRADUATION?

I have ambitions of being a D1 softball coach. In the event that this doesn’t work out, I have hopes of further pursuing my career in wine and viticulture.

WHAT DOES A “DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOU” LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW?

My life is full of softball and keeping up with my academics. Two times a week, I have weights at 7 a.m, I go to class from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and I have softball practice from 2 to 5 p.m. On the weekends during winter and spring quarters, I usually compete in a threegame series against other opponents in our conference.

HOW DID CATALINA CO-CURRICULAR INTERESTS CARRY OVER TO YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE?

I was a member of both the volleyball team and the softball team. I still play softball to this day, and I hold Catalina responsible for my ability to handle academic rigor while being a student-athlete.

WHAT BROADER LIFE LESSONS DID YOU LEARN AT CATALINA THAT HAVE SERVED YOU WELL IN COLLEGE?

I think the main life lessons I brought along with me would be just always be yourself. Along with that, I believe it’s important to speak up and share your thoughts and experiences. Our mentors always preached that we should reach for the stars and that we have endless opportunities in this world; if and when we fall, we have a community to fall back on to lift us back up.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO NEW STUDENTS AT SANTA CATALINA?

As an alumna, I believe it is important to find ways to have fun and to invite classmates that you typically wouldn’t hang out with to do something together. In college, you meet lots of new people, but it’s worthwhile to have meaningful friendships in high school. Secondly, academics at Catalina are hard, but the effort pays off. It truly does prepare you for the load you will be expected to carry during your time in college. Lastly, I recommend building relationships with teachers and going to office hours. It builds a level of respect while also demonstrating your efforts in a class. It is a skill I brought with me, and it has saved me. One quarter, I was in a challenging economic analysis class and, because of my outside efforts and showing up to office hours, I earned a better grade in the class despite not doing the best on exams. It is also nice to get to know your professors outside of the classroom. They have a lot of insight on life.

IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE CATALINA IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Sisterhood, competitive, collaborative.