Jacob Carrillo

Parents: Joel & Angie Carrillo

Cumulative GPA & Class Rank: 3.96, Rank 6

Activities: Band (Marching & Concert) ●Mostly Division 1 ratings, Jazz Band ●Reached State Jazz Championships Twice ●Outstanding solo award Sophomore year, Speech ● 3 time All-State nominee, ● 7 time D1 ratings at State Contest from sophomore to senior year (another contest pending) ● 1st place for Group Improv at conference contest ● 1st place for Solo Improv at conference ● 2nd place for Solo Acting, 1 year of Soccer, Ensemble for 1 Musical, Principle Role for 3 Musicals, Principle Role for 3 Plays.

Other clubs outside of school: I have done some volunteer work. I've done several concession jobs to help the school. Our Fine Arts runs a concession stand for Home Hawkeye games. Depending on the season, it was sweltering hot with a tiny fan as the major air conditioning. The most important thing I've done, however, was help my mom clean the house of a woman who needed the help. She was older, and had a lot of pain when moving. Her helper had left for family, but no one had come to replace the work. The woman had lost her children, and it was clear that she was happier when we came to visit. It has been something that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Future plans: I want to go to the U of I for Biology. My focus is genetics and biotechnology. I want to work in genetics in the hopes of helping end some genetic diseases. Making current advancements more affordable is also a goal.

How will your high school experiences help you in coming years? I have had amazing teachers, especially science teachers. Not only have they helped me learn the topics well, but furthered my passions. I've had the ability to stretch my creativity in my activities. One of my favorites has been improvisation. Not many people can do Improv, and I think it's a good way to strengthen adaptability and quick thinking.

Fondest memory of high school? The school plays. Especially my sophomore and junior year. We did ‘As You Like It' by Shakespeare. I played Touchstone, who was a fool/Jester. As a Shakespeare production in rural Iowa, not much was understood. However I had a role that didn't necessarily need his lines to be understood. Much of the humor was physical, and got some good laughs. The year after we did “The Play That Goes Wrong.” It was a play within a play, basically a murder mystery where every actor is constantly making mistakes. By the end the entire set falls apart.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on you and why? Mrs. Jones, my Biology teacher. Of course, I would be biased when I'm going into Biology, but Mrs. Jones maintains an engaging class. She is incredibly forgiving and kind, but doesn't let anyone walk over her. She cares about her students and makes sure that she knows what activities everyone has outside of the classroom. There is never a wasted minute in her class, either, so there's always a chance to learn new things.

Who is your role model and how did they influence you? My parents. It's a common answer, but who can influence one more than the two adults who are always near? I like to think I got the best parts of each of them. I got the strong love for science and biology from my mom, who's a nurse. Not many people would take you to a future doctors convention and watch a surgery with you. I got a strong understanding of English from my dad. I try to communicate as clearly and concisely as my father, and understand as much of our language as him. He also has been the source of what books I've read, and we fawn over different series very often.

What is special about your high school? The people. I've been fortunate enough to find friends that I can connect with well. Mid-Prairie is the perfect size where I'm not stuck around people I don't like, but I still know everyone in my class and many more besides that.

If you go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself? Don't wait for opportunities. There's plenty out there, and plenty to do. Just don't expect them to fall into your lap.

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