Meet Andrew Grinsfelder, Pacifica Junior
February 3rd, 2023
Andrew is currently in his third year at Pacifica, and has found many areas of interest during his time as a Seawolf. This year, Andrew has either been or currently is a member of our Soccer Team, Volleyball Team, and Surf Team. In addition to sports, he is heavily involved in other campus groups, such as Associated Student Government, STEM Scholars, our Mentor/Mentee program, Engineering Club, National Honors Society, the Ambassador Program, and the Wolf Post. It’s amazing to see students trying new things while in high school, and Andrew takes advantage of all the opportunities presented to him! He attributes part of his willingness to venture into new territory to the encouragement of the Pacifica community.
“Even from sign-ups, I felt encouraged and supported by everyone to try new things and challenge myself… Whatever you’re interested in, whatever course load you want to try, whatever sport, and more– it’s all there for you to decide.”
While at Pacifica, amidst trying it all, Andrew has also learned how to gauge his personal limits. He says that as someone who wants to do it all, balancing a full schedule and inevitably saying no to some activities has been a challenge in high school. However, the freedom to be flexible in his co-curriculars has allowed Andrew to find his own boundaries and “to grow and ask [himself] what [he] enjoys most.” Along with overcoming challenges relating to his own schedule, Andrew says he has grown in vulnerability with others while at Pacifica. In a desire to pursue intentionality within his friendships, he hoped to learn how to be bold in asking people meaningful questions.
“I’ve realized how much I appreciate it when people check in on me and are able to develop the courage to ask those questions, and when I came to Pacifica, I was really hoping I could do the same. The Pacifica community has helped me to do that, by having people to look up to, and people to practice with. I feel like I’ve overcome my metaphorical ‘stage fright.’”
Even with two older brothers who graduated from other local high schools, Andrew was drawn toward Pacifica. His only hesitation was the smaller size of our student body, and the drawbacks that come with it (i.e. no football team). However, he soon found that Pacifica’s small size felt more like a strength than a weakness.
“After having been at Pacifica for three years, it is apparent that the size of the student body is what enables the school to have such a great community feel, and allows you to pursue incredible relationships with your peers.”
In addition to a plethora of co-curricular activities, Andrew enjoys his time inside the classroom as well. His favorite class that he’s taken so far has been New Testament with Mr. Knight. The discussion-based class provided him an opportunity to engage with classmates from all different lifestyles and backgrounds in a “safe and respectful environment.” The integration of faith at Pacifica is something that Andrew enjoys beyond just that class.
“I feel so much more school pride because of the faith that Pacifica associates with. It’s such a blessing to have so many teachers who are both experts in their fields, and also so mature in faith. The student body is not as bought into the faith of Pacifica as the faculty and staff, but that is what makes Pacifica even more impressive. We have many students who come from different backgrounds of faith and even no faith at all. So despite such diversity, I feel encouraged to engage in intellectual conversations about faith with my peers.”
Moving forward in his final year and a half at Pacifica, Andrew is most excited about the opportunity to give back to this community. “I look forward to being able to engage in mentorship and the ability to serve as an example to the next generation of Seawolves, just as the current seniors and alumni did for me.” Finally, Andrew hopes to develop the perseverance and grit needed to put his best foot forward post-high school. He draws inspiration from Pacifica’s theme for the year—running the race set before you.
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