The Southwest Voice

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Wonder child, overachiever or teacher’s pet. Call them whatever you want, but these days students are accomplishing more in four years of high school than most people do in a lifetime.

Yesmin Tanguma, 17, a Southwest resident and senior at Ridgeview High School, is no exception.

Yesmin has been involved in band all four years. She can play violin, piano, French horn and drums. She has also served as drum major for the 2007-2008 school year.

"Wanting to be drum major is just kind of something that comes to you, that you naturally feel,” she said. “Last year, our drum major was really inspirational and I knew that was something I wanted to do and have a part in.”

Yesmin has had the benefit of two older brothers, Adrian and Dorian, who also play instruments and served as inspiration for her jump into the music world.

“Watching my brothers play sometimes and hearing them was great growing up,” Yesmin said.

As drum major this year, she now has a better understanding of what it takes to be a band director — a result of working closely with her teacher, Mr. Martins.

“Freshman year, I thought it was hard and I thought he was hard on me because I’m not as good as my brothers,” Yesmin said. “Being drum major has taught me about how he goes through a lot of stress and how much time and dedication he puts into all the music programs at school — it’s not just the marching band once a day that he has to work with. In the end, he’s doing what he has to do to make sure we are as good as we can be.”

But Yesmin’s activities don’t end with band.

She’s also been involved with the school’s student government, bicentennial, the Link Crew club, cross country, track, soccer, swimming, honors and AP classes, community service at Mercy Hospital, altar service at St. Philip the Apostle Church, mock trial and choir during her four years at Ridgeview.

“If I’m lucky, they all end up in different times, but sometimes they overlap or it’s really close,” Yesmin said. “My mom really makes an effort to get me where I need to be.”

Last year, mock trial and soccer had some close calls with timing. Yesmin recalled changing from soccer practice clothes and cleats to a tailored suit and dress shoes while her mom rushed her from Ridgeview’s campus to the county courthouse in downtown Bakersfield for a mock trial competition.

Even though she is involved in so many activities, Yesmin has managed to maintain a 3.5 grade point average so far this year and similar grades throughout her high school career.

“I’m very proud of her and I’m not surprised because she’s very dedicated,” said Mary Tanguma, Yesmin’s mom. “I just try to make sure she gets enough rest, but I don’t worry too much because she’s really on top of things. Being a high school student is very difficult now, so I hope and pray that everything falls into place.”

Yesmin has her own calendar to keep track of homework and activities. Her mom also keeps a master calendar that tracks the entire family’s activities.

“She always is looking a week or two ahead of time,” Mary said. “She’s very organized in the way she’s set up.”

Being a senior has had its share of ups and downs.

“I’m scared that’s it’s already going to be over,” Yesmin said. “I’m coming out with the best I can for classes. It’s kind of fun, but I’m kind of sad sometimes because the end of my senior year is coming so fast.”

She will also miss some of her favorite teachers, who she credits with some of her success:

• Jason Jenkins, social studies: “Because he makes class fun. He’s not really strict and really kick back. Everything he’s made us do, there’s always a life lesson. It’s not about the homework or the grade, it’s so we learn skills like negotiation.”

• Kim Henry, English: “She’s really good to her students, especially her seniors. She can be strict or she can be understanding. She’s good at explaining things to us and she always is there to let us know that if we need help, we can come and ask for it.”

• Marlys Brimmer, math: “Because she’ll make jokes in class that no one gets. She’s good at explaining the concepts. She’s always there to let us come and make up work and she’s always there to make sure you succeed.”

Yesmin will likely attend Cal State Bakersfield where she is thinking about majoring in accounting, but isn’t completely sure about that.

“There are a lot of things that I like to do, but the question is whether or not I can really pursue a career in them and be an independent person once I’m finished,” she said.