WHS seniors adopted

Due to the virus pandemic and the governor's order of a state lockdown, Wasco High School graduate Ruth Loza Ramos came up with the idea to Adopt a Senior.

"I did this because it's the last year of high school for graduating seniors," Ramos said. "They are missing important milestone events during their senior year such as in-person classroom experiences, senior prom, sporting events, field trips, visits to college campuses and other social events that occur at the school and within the community. I wanted to do something to make this year special for them, so I created Adopt a Senior so members of the community could be a part of the senior-year experience."

Friends, parents and relatives, as well as other community members, have been supportive of this project, and several students have received more than one adoption request.

Orquidea Ocampo adopted three seniors and showered them with gifts this past week. Her newly adopted daughters are Yvette Rios, Lizzette Gonzalez and Daphne Hernandez.

Lizzette Martinez will not only be graduating from Wasco High School but also from Bakersfield College this year.

She was born in Bakersfield and grew up in Lost Hills. She entered the Wasco school system in 2016.

Martinez's best memories from high school are all the rallies and the school spirit.

Her immediate goal is to attending California State University, Fullerton, where she will major in business. In five years, Martinez hopes to be set in her career.

During her time at Wasco High, she was involved in Future Farmers of America, California Scholarship Federation and Wonderful Academy College Prep.

"Eventually, I want to run my own business," she said.

The third student Ocampo adopted is Daphne Hernandez.

Hernandez was born in Bakersfield and went to all Wasco schools growing up. She played softball, volleyball and golf, and was involved in color guard and is a candidate for Wasco Rose Queen this year.

"What I enjoyed most about high school was performing the Friday Night Lights with the Color Guard team and joining Rose Queen candidates," Hernandez said.

"What I liked least would definitely be this quarantine," she said. "I wish I had finished my senior year properly."

Hernandez is planning on attending Fresno State University and will work on her teaching credential. "I definitely see myself aiming to be a professor and working on my degree," she said.

During the pandemic, she said that she spent a good amount of time with her family and remained positive. "I had my schoolwork, so I'm grateful, but I do have my worries about the outcome of the future," Hernandez said. "One thing that surprised me was the pandemic. I never thought it could have affected Wasco like it has."