When Patricia Aguilar, better known as Pati, walks through the halls of SBHS she carries herself with honesty and a laugh that makes people feel like they already know her. As a senior in , Aguilar does not try to be anyone else.

“I think my versatility and honesty makes me stand out,” she said. “Even though I do care what people think about me, I am still going to be myself unapologetically even if it hurts me in the end.”

For Aguliar, the pageant is not just about a pretty dress, though she admits that is part of it. It is about showing people that SBHS students are more than the stereotype. 

“If I win, I want to show people outside of SBHS that we are not ghetto. We are more than what they think we are,” she said.

Her values show in the way she acts every day. She believes humility matters, especially in today’s world. 

“Not everyone is in the same shoes. You have to be understanding and conscious of who you are and what others don’t have or do have. It is part of being relatable and inclusive,” she said.

Aguilar shows this in small ways at school, whether it is talking to classmates who usually sit alone, helping younger band members figure out their music, or volunteering when teachers ask for extra hands. 

“Community service is important because you get to show yourself and talk to other people around you. You get to see your community in general and that’s really cool,” she said.

Music also plays a huge role in her life. 

“It gets me through the day, it is like your heartbeat,” she said. “It sets your mood, your tempo, your everything. It can make you really happy or really sad. It just sets the vibe.” 

Her favorite artists right now are Hail the Sun and Malcolm Todd, two completely different genres that show how wide her taste is.

Like many teens, social media influences her too. While her family does not really use it, she admits it has changed her. 

“It definitely influenced me, especially with food, hobbies, and music. It changed my music taste over the years,” she said.

Her biggest fear is deep. 

“Either drowning or dying and being forgotten, like not having done anything with your life,” she said. 

That connects to her life-changing moment when she almost died after a shotput hit her in the head two years ago. 

“If it was just a little higher, I would have been dead,” she said. “It made me realize anything can happen anywhere at any time. You just have to make the most of your time.”

Outside of school, Aguilar is versatile. She bakes, draws, sings, plays drums, and loves talking to people. 

“I could talk your ear off,” she said. 

But she is also serious about self-love. 

“Teens focus too much on what other people think,” Aguilar said. “You have to care about yourself, the way you see yourself, not just others.”

Whether she is lifting up classmates, volunteering, or blasting her favorite songs, Aguilar’s energy is clear. She is versatile, humble, and determined to live life on her own terms.