By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal
Alison Hanks-Sloan, AHS Principal
I truly love my job, most of the time. As the holiday season makes me reflective, I have been thinking about how much I appreciate our campus and community. Curiosity made me wonder what others were thinking, so I asked several Mariners what makes them grateful.
Veronica Rodas-Otero, grade 12, said she is thankful for “having a supportive and loving family, as well as a community that doesn’t judge.” She also said she is grateful to have the “opportunity to freely study and get educated for many years.” She is also thankful for “living in a diverse area, be it of people or nature.”
Nami Banks, grade 11, said he is thankful for the beach, because “it provides a fun place to go with friends.” He is also thankful for friends filling his life with laughter. He is also especially thankful for food that keeps him alive and happy.
Sofia Bartee, grade 12, said she is “thankful for opportunities and experiences” that she gets at school.
Maverick Belcher, grade 10, shared that he is thankful for the home he has and the things he has at home. He is happy for “the ability to go to a nice school with many people” he can happily talk to. He is also thankful to have a family that loves and supports him.
Aidan Hughes, grade 12, said he is thankful for Albert, who is “always such a positive guy.”
Albert is our student information specialist. I asked Albert what makes him so positive. He has been in the district for over two decades, and he has been at AHS for six years. He said that working alongside Teresa, our attendance specialist. He also said the kids keep him going.
Teresa chimed in that we have awesome students. She said we also have nice staff. Albert added that they are all respectful, and it’s what gets him to work. Both of them are willing to drive more than 45 minutes to get to work.
Lemi Anastasopoulos, grade 9, said she thinks “the teachers are really great and really supportive. The office staff and the administration are always walking around on campus. You always see them, and they are really friendly.”
Melisa Silver, our English chair, said, “Our administrative team listens to us and values our experience. My students, including my AP community, are so invested. I love this place and the students in Mock Trial.” It is her 14th year at AHS.
Travis Fox, our athletic director said he is grateful for our coaches, parents, students, and teachers. “I’m extremely thankful for the culture and engagement, especially our coaches for their dedication to our campus and their craft, for their long hours and unwavering support for our student athletes. Our parents always ask how can they help. We applaud their support, their commitment to driving to and from practices, and their making lunches and preparing snacks for the team.”
Kristin Fox, our counseling department chair, said she is “thankful for her co-workers and a positive working environment.” She said she gets to be a part of a community that values success in all different forms. She has been at AHS for seven years.
Dominic Lis, our newest assistant principal, moved here from Michigan in August. He said he is grateful that he moved all the way across the country to be here, and the community has been truly accepting. “They helped me learn why Aptos is such a great community,” he said.
Aaron Bielenberg, our assistant principal who joined the team at the end of the school year, said he appreciates the mindset of the staff at AHS. “They are student oriented and solution oriented,” he explained. “I have enjoyed meeting all the students at this school.”
He showed two personalized holiday ornaments that he received during the holiday art activities at lunch.
Rachael Jones, our assistant principal who is also an Aptos parent and former Aptos teacher, said, “Aptos High is a vital part of our Aptos community. Aptos residents and alumni are proud of their school for its strong academic and athletic programs.
My father-in-law was a teacher at AHS for over 30 years, and we are constantly reminded of his impact on his students to this day. Three generations of my family have either attended or worked at Aptos High, and it has effectively prepared my son for college. Overall, AHS unites our Aptos community and provides important opportunities for students to succeed in their future college and career endeavors.”
Thank you to all of them for their positive reflections. May we all take some time to celebrate the things around us that fill us with gratitude. If you need inspiration, find a musical tune from Ode to Joy to holiday tunes or just enjoy the positivity around you from family to friends and from the ocean to our surrounding mountains. Happy 2024!