For Alyssa Fraga, high school has never been about just showing up; it's been about showing up for others.
The Vacaville High senior first found her love of leadership in 8th grade, through Jepson Leadership class. "I realized how much I enjoyed being a leader and making my school a better place," she says. That spark carried her straight into Link Crew, VHS's program pairing upperclassmen mentors with incoming freshmen. Freshmen aren't eligible to join, so Alyssa applied the very next year and was one of only a few sophomores selected.
Since then, she's climbed from Link Crew member to Social Media Head to this year's Cabinet Treasurer. Along the way, she created "Bigs and Littles," a mentorship program pairing upperclassmen with underclassmen
to build one-on-one bonds within the class, because, as Alyssa puts it, she wanted younger students "to have someone to look up to."
That drive to lift others hasn't gone unnoticed. Link Crew Coordinator Jori Herman, who has watched Alyssa grow since her freshman interview, says it plainly:
“She is always first to lend a helping hand and is excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve her campus community. She radiates positivity in everything she is involved in... She represents all the best of what being a Bulldog is all about!"
Beyond Link Crew, Alyssa has stayed just as busy, competing on Vacaville Swim Club and the Varsity Swim and Dive Team, serving in FFA on the Vet Science and Co-op teams, and taking part in Debate, The Paw Print, Campus Light, and Girls in Sports Club. She was also selected to represent Vaca High at Girls State.
It hasn't always come easy. Alyssa describes herself as a lifelong perfectionist, and remembers a rough patch freshman year when two B's on her report card shook her confidence. "I couldn't measure my worth by being 'perfect' all the time," she reflects now, "because honestly no one is perfect." That lesson in grace has stuck with her through balancing a 4.0 GPA, leadership roles, and year-round athletics.
Looking back, Alyssa credits her parents and English teacher Mr. Benham as the biggest influences on her journey, along with a piece of advice from Mr. Wight at freshman preview night that she's carried with her ever since: these four years will fly by, so take advantage of every opportunity.
Her advice to incoming students nervous to try something new? "Just give it one chance... The best parts about high school are the unexpected ones that you didn't expect to happen."
As for what's next, Alyssa isn't rushing it. She knows college is in her future, and she knows she wants to work with kids; the rest, she's excited to figure out.