Top Students at Aptos High

Valedictorians: Emma Yeaman and Aidan Niklaus

The Aptos High School Class of 2022, which spent two years learning in a worldwide pandemic, will graduate with their well-deserved diplomas 4 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Cabrillo College.

The Aptos Times is pleased to recognize the two valedictorians (GPA above 4.3) and the three salutatorians for their hard work that put them at the top of their class. Here they share their post-graduation plans.

Emma Yeaman

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I will attend the University of Washington, in Seattle. I plan to major in environmental studies, and possibly minor in urban planning or sustainability.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I played on the girls indoor volleyball team all four years. I made varsity my sophomore, junior, and senior years, and was a starting player on the 2019 team that won the Division IV State Championship.

I also played beach volleyball for the two years it’s been part of the SCCAL League.

I’m vice president of the Habitat for Humanity Club, member of the Sustainable Fashion Club and member of Bring Change to Mind Club for three years.

How did Covid affect your high school experience?

While I formed some poor study habits through distance learning, I otherwise thrived in online school. I was fortunate enough to have a stable learning environment at home (steady internet and access to devices).

The first semester of the 2020-21 school year seemed bleak, as we couldn’t play volleyball indoors. However, the SCCAL League formed girls beach volleyball teams to allow us to play volleyball safely.

I was also able to play with my club volleyball team, Main Beach Volleyball Club, so I maintained a healthy outlet (break from school and my house) throughout the year.

In addition, the shorter school days enabled me to volunteer at Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop (in Aptos) more often.

What did you enjoy most at Aptos High?

I most enjoyed playing volleyball at AHS, specifically because of my teammates. I cherish the bonds I made with all my teammates over the past four years. I especially loved playing with some players for multiple seasons, as I got to form stronger connections with them.

I’m a firm advocate for taking care of one’s mental health, especially when under pressure in school, and my teammates helped alleviate my stress. An added bonus was reconnecting with friends and teammates (from my club team) from other schools when we played each other.

Parents: Nicole Young and Evan Yeaman

Aiden Niklaus

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I am planning on taking a gap year. I’m hoping I can spend this time exploring more of the world’s various perspectives, cultures, and communities.

After this adventure, I would love to go to college to study engineering, and then to graduate school to earn my master’s degree in engineering.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

Freshman year I was part of the Leadership ASB team, played basketball, and played lacrosse. Sophomore year I played basketball and lacrosse. Junior year I played lacrosse.

Senior year I played basketball and lacrosse and was the Head of Buoyancy Engine for the school Robotics Team.

How did Covid affect your high school experience?

As with most, there were positives and negatives resulting from COVID-19 (pun intended). Although I really enjoyed the distanced-learning format because I could wake up late, get out of school early, and had less homework, all the while still learning a whole bunch of stuff, we couldn’t play sports that much, couldn’t do certain in-class activities such as labs, and weren’t able to see our friends.

Looking on the bright side, however, as I mentioned above, I got so much sleep and that was super nice!

What did you enjoy most at Aptos High?

I love walking into class and being surrounded by super intelligent and kind people. Everyday I’m learning something from someone and nobody is ever mean and/or condescending when sharing their knowledge.

Be it from my teacher or from a peer (or both, which is often the case), it’s such a great feeling to know that I will walk into class everyday and learn something new, and then walk out of class everyday and feel progressed as an individual.

Parents: Colleen Niklaus and Andrew Niklaus

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Salutatorians: Julia Marin, Sherry Choy, Ava Hymes

Julia Marin

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I’m going to get back into making lace! My major will be math

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

Speech and debate as well as volleyball.

How did Covid affect your high school experience?

I think it really helped me learn to manage my team because of distance learning.

What did you enjoy most at Aptos High?

My favorite thing is how passionate our teachers are about their subject and how much they care about us.

Parents: Magda Nowosielska and Jose Marin

Sherry Choy

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I plan on attending UC Davis as a biology major starting this coming fall quarter.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I’m a part of three clubs at Aptos High, two of which I have held leadership positions. They are the LEO Club, SciComm (Community in Science) Club, and Art Club.

How did Covid affect your high school experience?

Going through COVID and distance learning during high school was definitely interesting. While it was nice to be in the comfort of my home, I also missed going out and seeing friends and family.

I also found that being in a physical classroom is a lot more engaging for me, personally, as I learn. But, I discovered ways to adapt to the new learning environment I had found myself in.

What did you enjoy most at Aptos High?

There was a lot to enjoy at Aptos High, such as spirit weeks or our school plays. There are also wonderful teachers who make class fun and enjoyable, as well as supportive staff and an overall friendly community.

Parents: Pang Choy and Mei Lu.

Ava Hymes

What will you do after you graduate? Do you have a major in mind?

I plan to attend UCLA and major in environmental science.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I played varsity soccer for all four years of high school. I also dabbled in track and field, Surfrider Club, and sustainable fashion club.

How did Covid affect your high school experience?

The Covid shutdown forced me to become a more independent and self-motivated student, as my schedule was much less structured than I was used to. It was challenging not to see friends and teachers at school every day and to have athletic seasons cut short, but I think it has made me appreciate my senior year even more.

What did you enjoy most at Aptos High?

I enjoyed the friendships I have made, and going to CCS with my soccer team.

Parents: Alan Hymes & Lindsey Macbeth-Hymes