Victoria Zaragoza

Known for her artistic skills and love of K-pop, Victoria Zaragoza used her interests to give back to her community by co-creating the school K-pop Club.

During sophomore year in the club, Victoria and her friends enjoyed watching K-dramas and music videos, and doing K-pop-related activities.                                                                       

When COVID-19 hit, Victoria experienced the instability and frequent readjustments and felt the one thing she could lean on became art.

“I guess the one thing I found that stayed consistent was art,” Victoria said. “That’s when I realized that it was something I wanted to pursue.”

At school, she has taken Beginning and Advanced Art and Digital Art. This year, she participated in an after-school program with Disney that taught how to draw and animate. The program helped them meet new people, find networking opportunities, and learn techniques they would not have encountered otherwise. Outside of the Disney program, Victoria keeps growing as a self-taught artist who looks toward Twitter, fan art, and interactions with artist communities to expand her abilities. 

Victoria feels her high school years allowed her to open up and communicate with teachers and become less shy. Senior Sarai Wagner, one of Victoria’s best friends, has witnessed Victoria’s evolution since Summer Bridge. As sophomores they bonded more, spending time together in the dorm and enjoying K-pop together.

“I thought she wasn’t going to come out of her shell,” Sarai said. “But when you get to know them now, she is the most outspoken person, funny, chill – she just brightens my day.” 

Administrative Assistant Flor Rogel, who was Victoria’s SRI advisor and  Tutorial teacher, said Victoria stayed organized and on top of her work throughout the long SRI research and writing process. Victoria earned a Rotary Award in art this year.

Victoria will major in Art at San Jose State University this fall.