Jason Diaz may be the most easily recognizable student on campus…everyone knows who Jason is even if they don’t know know him.  Whether rocking his formal business attire, or sporting his blue Dodger gear in Giant’s territory, Jason always makes an impression.   When staff was polled for the next Student of the Week article, Jason was nominated by a landslide, with several nominators voting him Student of the Year.

Abaurrea: Jason Diaz could be student of the four years he’s been here.

Rose:Jason Diaz is one of the most responsible and dependable students I’ve ever met…he would be a great candidate for student of year!!

Perea, J.: Jason Diaz would be a great candidate…more kids should get to know someone who thinks outside the box!

Marin: He puts the P in professionalism…and goes above and beyond with homework completedness and always has a bright smile like if the media is taking pictures of him, let alone has fully sound comments during class discussion as if he is on c-span.

Umm…except for one little problem…

Abaurrea: Jason Diaz could be student of the four years he’s been here. Other than his rooting for the evil Los Angeles Dodgers that is.

Perea, J.: Very conscientious and hard working.  He is an avid LA Dodgers fan!!  And often wears the dreaded Dodger  Blue!!!

And where does Jason weigh in on this one little fatal flaw?  “I just laugh and smile.  The Dodgers are my team; the Dodgers are in first place at the moment…it doesn’t bother me.  When Giants fans talk about the Dodgers, I’m not hostile.  Just be yourself.  You don’t have to change to be like other people.”

That readers, is the core of Jason Diaz.  An independent, free thinker who believes in staying true to himself.

First things first, the professional dress attire for which Jason is so widely known.  Some clarification.  “A lot of people think I wear suits.  I really just usually wear a dress shirt and slacks.  I started doing it in 7^thgrade once in a while, and it felt good.  So in 8^thgrade I decided to do it year round.”

And since we have already addressed the Dodger blue issue, there’s another little-known outfit hanging in Jason’s closet.  The green-man suit. 

(Laughing) “The green-man suit is something one of my favorite characters from the show ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ wears.  They had one on sale on the website and I thought that would be a cool thing to do. The character puts it on and does funny things that he wouldn’t normally do, so I wore it for the homecoming game and for senior paint day.  A lot of people don’t think it’s me, so they’re surprised!”

Jason has a love of history and is planning on studying business/law/history at UC Santa Cruz in the fall.  While some teachers think Jason is a born politician with his dress-to-impress attitude, he finds politics dirty.  “I used to pay attention a lot, but now it’s on the sidelines.”  Except when it came to AP Government’s Mock Congress  simulation.  “I was really looking forward to it.  I’ve been looking forward to it since freshman year.”  Jason’s bill, proposing that the Pledge of Allegiance be mandatory in schools, was shot down early in the simulation.  “I think it’s really important to know where you come from.  In elementary school, you say the Pledge of Allegiance every day, but then in middle school it goes away.  I had a teacher who always had us say it, and it was really cool.  My race is Mexican, but I was born here.  If you’re American, you’re born here.  When you go to another country, you represent the American way of life.  It’s important to remember those values.”

With so many people following the latest trends, how does Jason manage to lead the pack? “Whatever you are, whoever you are…just keep doing it.  No one has ever  teased me, no one has ever given me problems.  Surround yourself with good people; if you can’t find good people, then be alone. It’s like that quote from George Washington“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

His advice to incoming 9^thgraders?  “Be true to yourself.  Do the right thing.  Be polite, be courteous.  Know what you like and keep learning about it…enjoy your four years here because you’re never going to get it back.” 

Readers, do you still have questions about whether or not Woodland High School is the place for you?  A place where you can be yourself, follow your passion, and cheer for whatever baseball team you think is best?  There is still time to visit Woodland High School during school hours and get a taste of what high school life is all about.  Call or email principal Evelia Genera at 530-662-4678 (Evelia.genera@wjusd.org)  but don’t delay!  The last day of school is June 7^th; after that, you may be in good company, but you will be alone. 

Article and Photo by Diane Mahan

Previous Student of the Week Articles

Auditions for the Commencement (senior) Singer will take place Thursday, May 17 and 18 during lunch in room 702.  Audition requirements are as follows:

Graduating Seniors Only

Text (words) as well as music must be appropriate for the occasion (a written copy of the text may be required)

Singers will need to supply their own back up CD or sound source.  No piano or live back up will be available during the audition.

Singers need to be prepared.

Support the WHS Senior Grad Night Scholarship fund by purchasing a pair of these WHS flip flops for only $10!  

Can be purchased in the front office.

 Bell Schedule 2011-2012  ......Please print out as it is different than in prior years.

We've provided the attached calendar for you to print out that might make it easier to keep track of which weeks are regular weeks and which weeks are block weeks.  Calendar

May 14th  - May 18th

Bell Schedule 

Monday May 14th 

Tuesday, May 15th

Wednesday, May 16th

Thursday, May 17th

Friday, May 11th

Great link for all grades!  Information about going to college

www.knowhow2go.org

Want to purchase an ad in the yearbook?   Print out the attached form and turn it in to Mrs. Walker in the Student Store or Mr. Coppenger in 802

Senior Ads

CLICK ON THIS DOCUMENT ....TO SEE WHAT WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL IS REALLY LIKE!