Ashlyn Jacquez, a junior at Morro Bay High School, is being welcomed into a whole new school in her most pivotal year of high school. Growing up in Los Osos and later moving to San Luis Obispo when she was six years old, Jacquez’s transfer was motivated by the people who reside at MBHS, one being her cousin, Haley Hart.
“One word to describe Ashlyn is truly selfless,” said Hart, a senior who’s been in Journalism since her freshman year, now welcoming her cousin to the next year of her life just as she’s about to leave high school. It became increasingly apparent throughout talking with Jacquez that Hart was not exaggerating, that down to her core, Jacquez was both thoughtful and considerate.
However, Hart isn’t the only thing that drew Jacquez to Journalism; so did the community. “I’m trying to get out of my shell,” Jacquez said, “I used to be very shy, so this is kind of a push to do something I’m not used to.” Jacquez also grew up making YouTube videos or vlogging, sprouting her love of media.
In Jacquez’s free time, she can be found swimming in the ocean or hiking, and most importantly, either listening to music or playing it. Jacquez expressed her love for artists like Fleetwood Mac and Mac Miller, while both contrasting, it is extremely telling of who she is: a lover of all.
“I listen to all kinds of music, every genre,” said Jacquez, as she also mentioned her love of playing guitar. Jacquez’s grandpa always wanted her to play an instrument, and through her picking up a guitar, they have become all the more intertwined. “My grandpa lived through the 70s, so listening back to music he also listened to makes me feel connected to him,” said Jacquez.
While her grandpa is a huge inspiration to her musical endeavors and interests, her dad is also a contributor to this hobby. “My grandpa owns a ukulele, and my dad plays guitar,” said Jacquez, “and we used to play Taylor Delilah songs together, so he would play the guitar and I would be the one singing.” Although MBHS is new to Jacquez, something all-knowing and familiar to her is music, and the rock that will always carry with her is her grandfather.
Jacquez is bound for a successful school year in Journalism, hopefully meeting new faces and pushing herself out of her comfort zone, ready for a world of endless possibilities.