SOKA
Student Profile:
Leonardo Ortiz Ruben Jimenez
by Vanesa Hernandez-Rodriguez
photo: L.Ortiz
Class of: 2020 From: Santa Cruz, California High School: Soquel High School
Pearl Student Profile
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he first sentence on here has to say ‘How we doin?’” Leonardo from the class of 2020 is a Soka athlete playing on the Men’s Soccer team ending his 1st season with 7 goals and 1 assist. How do you balance being a student and an athlete? “I don’t sleep is one, but I mean I get all my work done mostly...” Balancing between studying for Chinese, practice and other classes takes up most of his time but he still finds time to have fun. Some of his hobbies include: anything outdoors, going on adventures, taking hikes, running, watching movies, and “Soccer for sure, you know what I’m saying. Playing other sports as well basketball at times, volley ball which I’m really bad at, tennis which I’m really bad at but I like to do it anyways.” Prior to Soka he played varsity soccer for 3 years and was the president of The Multicultural Club for 4 years at Soquel High School. The Multicultural Club encouraged students of color to aspire to higher education. He hosted several multicultural
events, soccer tournaments, graduations and a Peace movement at his high school when there were racial tensions. “We had a pledge week in which students would sign a pledge that our school was all about peace, unity, and diversity. And they would sign the pledge and have a pin they would carry on their backpacks and they would sign posters and we would put them over the office so the families could see what our school was about”. Over his four years he watched the club evolve, expand and witnessed over 170 students of color graduate. After deciding to attend Soka he became known for his suits. Tell us about your suits? “I was only going to go for Fridays wearing suits but once school started and I saw my schedule I decided to do it Monday Wednesday Friday because those days are days that I would be able to wear them and not get them dirty because Tuesday and Thursday I have drawing, so Tuesday and Thursday’s I just wear regular clothes and that is why you see me in soccer clothes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monday Wednesday Fridays are the suits and the weekends it’s just how I feel.” His love for looking good was inspired from a guest speaker at one of his high school assemblies. From there his cholo looking days behind and began wearing polo’s until his senior year he began wearing suits. He currently owns four suits and is acquiring two more. How is your 1st year at Soka going? “This school is in a very beautiful location, I really like it, you know what I’m saying, you have to add that quote you know what I’m saying.” He hopes to get to know as many people as he can, make connections, and do well in all of his classes. On campus he is a part of Sualseros, The Canning Club and Philosophy Circle. He looks forward to the rest of his time at Soka. Leonardo enjoys Italian and Mexican food and his favorite type of music is rap. And if you ever hear music being played inside the cafeteria it is probably Leo with his portable speaker hoping to bring others together with his love for music.
Pearl magazine