Gallery • 7 Photos

photo | Matthew Salamatin

From left to right: Diana Zhao, Nancy Mercado, Hannah Hoyle, Annika Ellwanger-Chavez, and Hannah Chua.

Princess Hannah Chua

Originally from Canada, Hannah Chua points out that she has only seen a moose at the zoo, thank you very much, and does not believe she had an accent when she moved. Although Chua’s dedication as a CHS varsity soccer player is her most defining achievement, she has a fiery passion for photography that she hopes will one day become a career.

For Chua, her life is mainly soccer. She has been playing on varsity soccer teams before and since she moved from Canada, and in her sophomore year at CHS, she helped the team win CIF. Chua’s soccer accomplishments and extreme dedication have played a key role in her being voted onto the Homecoming court. In the future, she is interested in going to Kentucky for college, and hopes for a possible soccer scholarship. Both of her parents are pastors, who just happen to run their own church in Claremont. Chua has one older brother, and three younger sisters, all of whom she has a deep bond with.

“My family and I are really close. We talk to each other, and we encourage each other to make good decisions. My parents make sure of that. One of my younger sisters, Abby, is like my best friend,” Chua said.

Besides soccer, Chua’s passions include photography, which has been ever since she was a little girl. Wedding photography is even one of her possible career choices. When she is not on the field or hanging out with family and friends, Chua assists ASB with their events. Even though she is not on ASB herself, that does not stop her from volunteering for any services they need for her to do, such as helping with school dances and rallies.

“A lot of my friends are on ASB. I always want to help them out as much as I can, and it is a pleasure to do so,” Chua said.

Chua is an excellent soccer player and photographer, a helpful friend, and loyal family member. She always tries her best to nice to people, and has made many good friends who will cheer her on as she rides on the homecoming float.

– Isabella Cisneros, Reporter

Princess Annika Ellwanger-Chavez

As Albus Dumbledore once said, “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” This motto is what Annika Ellwanger-Chavez, a huge fan of Harry Potter, utilizes as a reminder in her daily life. Her bright and lively personality has always managed to keep herself and others in high spirit. Although she was involved in ASB for four years, varsity soccer for three years, and various clubs around campus, nothing is more important or enjoyable to Ellwanger-Chavez as her four years of dedication to theater.

“I was so shocked and excited when Wolfcast announced the Homecoming court,” Ellwanger-Chavez said. “ I’m really honored that my classmates see me as someone who can represent CHS.”

Ellwanger-Chavez wants to major in theater at the Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois which is known to have excellent theatre programs and students who have a passion for learning and creating art as a community. Becoming a part of theatre and advancing into the world of entertainment in outlets such as movies and musicals has long been a dream that Ellwanger-Chavez fantasized of since she was merely a toddler.

“Theater brings out the most raw form of creativity from all who participate,” Ellwanger-Chavez said. “It has been a constant aspect of my life and it’s where I feel comfortable. I love how I can express myself freely through performance — it’s vulnerable and exhilarating.”

Apart from her life in theater, Ellwanger-Chavez also enjoys having a wellbalanced social life. She likes to hang out with friends and family members as well as take hikes around Claremont as often as she can, completing her outdoorsy personality. She loves to read fantasy and philosophical books in her spare time and sing every moment that she can find.

“Music is one of the ways I communicate and make connections with people,” Ellwanger-Chavez said. “ It’s always been in my life; every time I meet someone new, I inadvertently ask what their favorite type of music is. When I was little, I would hum all the time without knowing it and my teachers would tell me to be quiet. Music is infinite.”

The person Ellwanger-Chavez admires the most and considers as her mentor is Jack Harper, the ASB director and science teacher at CHS. She cherishes the fact that he loves his job and he exudes confidence while doing it. Ellwanger-Chavez believes that CHS is a fantastic school, but is convinced that it will be an even greater place if every person becomes recognized for their special and unique talents.

“To all my underclassmen out there; you’ve all heard everyone said that time goes by fast. Well, everyone is right,” Ellwanger-Chavez said. “Don’t get caught up in useless matters and love each other. Enjoy the time at CHS and utilize it wisely.”

– Phumanee Nosavan, Reporter

Princess Nancy Mercado

Nancy Mercado is more than the average high school student. Somehow finding a way to not only balance but excel in sports, academics, clubs, and activities outside of school, she has shown her pack pride throughout her four years at Claremont High School. Mercado has been involved in the CHS track and field team all four years of her high school career, competing aggressively in hurdles and pole vaulting.This year, she is the track and field team captain. She also had success on the CHS cross country team during her sophomore and junior years.

When she was not busy on the track or running the streets of Claremont for cross country, she has kept herself involved in the CHS theatre department. Mercado took children’s theatre her sophomore year and musical theatre her junior and senior years. She knows that her classes and grades come first but also believes that extracurriculars are an extremely important part of the high school experience.

“Honestly, being involved is so worth it. You meet so many amazing people, learn so much, and have all kinds of fun. I feel like I have become a part of so many little families because of sports and extracurriculars.” Mercado said.

Mercado also has a passion for fashion. This year, she is president of the fashion club, where she hopes to recruit many members to share their passion and knowledge of fashion with one another. One of her first goals of the club is to raise money to donate to girls who cannot afford formal dresses for dances. Regarding her future aspirations, she has high hopes of attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising school in Los Angeles after graduating from CHS, where she would like to major in product development and obtain a business license.

“I started sketching clothing designs in middle school and my mom taught me how to sew, so I’m always making, sewing, or altering clothes. It’s something I just really enjoy.” Mercado said.

When she is not occupied with school work, sports, or clubs, Mercado makes room for her other passion: singing. She shares her talent for music on YouTube, where she posts covers of popular songs with her ukulele either alone or with friends. Her most popular cover is of the song San Francisco by The Mowgli’s.

Mercado has had an impressive high school career and is excited for the rest of her senior year. She anticipates much success with the fashion club and new senior adventures. Although she has had countless memorable experiences at CHS, finding out that she made the homecoming court tops her list.

“I didn’t think I would make it. Honestly I was shocked and excited when I made semifinalist. Being on CHS’s homecoming court is truly an honor,” Mercado said.

– Kikesa Kimbwala, Reporter

Princess Diana Zhao

Anyone that knows Diana Zhao can see that she projects her humble and compassionate personality towards the community of Claremont. Zhao is always busy occupying herself with clubs and activities such as Talpha club, Math and Science club, and the National Honors Society. In addition to being involved with activities offered at CHS, Diana also spends her time volunteering at Pomona Valley Hospital every week to give back to the community and to make a transformation in people’s lives every day. Already planning for the future, Zhao is interested in pursuing medicine and has shadowed a doctor to see what the career actually entails.

“At first I was hesitant to pursue this career because everyone kept telling me that it was a stable job with good money, and I didn’t want my life to be reduced to ‘stable job, good money,’” Zhao said. “After shadowing my doctor in the Intensive Care Unit and Critical Care Units, I got to see how much real change he made in not only his patients’ lives, but also in their family’s lives as well. That really inspired me to pursue medicine.”

Zhao is also involved in the IB Diploma Program, and is a full IB diploma candidate. She has made numerous friendships and memories in this program and believes that everyone should be able to have this kind of encounter.

“I really enjoyed all my classes in IB, because you totally luck out with amazing teachers. TOK was also super interesting–I love how easily people share their thoughts, and they frequently say things that challenge my perspectives on the world. They’ve forced me to question what I know and believe to be true,” Zhao said.

Zhao wants to make the rest of her senior year at CHS memorable and magical, which is why she always maintains her positive attitude. Zhao would classify herself as a hardworking, compassionate, and idealistic person who also believes that CHS should get a medal of honor as the most amusing and understanding high school and wants all underclassmen to have an amazing experience like she encountered.

“High school is the place to explore who you are, so join clubs, sports, and societies–especially if they’re going to feed you food–because you never know who you’ll get to meet.” Zhao said.

Zhao is exceptionally grateful to be selected onto the Homecoming court this year and was so ecstatic when she heard the news from her friends. She wants to remember this moment forever and capture the memories.

“It’s such a great honor to be selected for Homecoming. I mean, I think it’s a miscount, but I’m humbled to be on it this year, and I’m really excited to hang out with everyone else, because they’re all really nice and cool and perfect and sparkly,” Zhao said.

– Chrissie Meyer, Reporter