Rita Bedoyn, 2011 alumni is a UCLA graduate currently pursuing her masters in counseling psychology. An assistant in the College and Career Office, she advises students not to be too stressed by the challenges of high school.
What is your favorite memory of high school?
“A mass text went out to students one night about a senior prank. The next day, seniors came to school with water guns and a massive water fight happened during lunch. Sorry to all the deans who had to deal with that!”
Did you go to college? Where? What did you study?
“I went to College of the Canyons then transferred to UCLA and studied psychology. I am currently in a graduate program at the University of La Verne to obtain a master’s degree in counseling.”
What advice would you give to students in high school now?
“If something is causing you significant amounts of stress, find a way to work around it, Don’t worry about others’ opinions. Nothing is worth jeopardizing your health. There are multiple paths that will get you to your goals and in the end. You’ll end up where you are meant to be.”
What was your biggest challenge in high school? How did you overcome it?
“The biggest challenges were getting through the lunch lines and finding a parking spot in the mornings! I still remember the day my sister made us late to school. I dropped her off at the front gate so she could make it to class on time, but I ended up in A5 because I couldn’t find parking. I told A5 that I had a test in my psychology class during first period and they let me go with a warning. I sprinted to class and barged in asking my teacher to go along with my story and two seconds later, the classroom phone rang. It was A5 confirming that we had a test. Luckily, my teacher went along with it. My sister went on to get the perfect attendance award at Granada and I’ll never let her forget that I contributed to that award.”
What made you decide to come back to work at Granada?
“I needed a job after graduating college and Granada was supposed to be a temporary fix until I figured out my next steps. It wasn’t until I began working closely with students in the College & Career Office that I realized how much I enjoy the counseling process. I am forever grateful to the counselors I currently work with for entrusting me to work with their students and motivating me to pursue a master’s degree.”
The Plaid Press 