When Jacob Ramirez walked into the interview of his last year of high school, he was ready to answer any questions asked. Instead of being nervous or anything like that, he was completely focused and determined, traits that Ramirez feels are important. 

Quincy Butler: Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Jacob Ramirez: Hopefully in a university, California, somewhere, I have a college list I’m looking into. Studying biology, because that’s my passion, and hopefully being able to get into a medical school will be nice. 

QB: What advice would you give your younger self? 

JR: To see things through. I feel like sometimes I give up easily and being able to just be able to be resilient when things get tough would be helpful.

QB: What is your biggest regret? 

JR: Not taking freshman and sophomore year seriously. I was just cruising. Then I logged in junior year.

QB: If you can get one message out to the world, what would it be? 

JR: Stay determined. You know. Keep determination in you, because things get rough, especially personal life, school life, everything you know, keep going forward.

QB: If you could give advice to a young girl or a boy who’s younger than you, what would it be? 

JR: To make friends while you’re young. That will definitely help you later on. Push yourself to do more things, because friends and family will always like to be there. It’s really helpful to have that.

QB: What is the biggest personality trait you have? 

JR: Being determined. I try staying positive too. Being an extrovert too, being more open, being able to talk to people.

QB: In your opinion, what are the most important values of a teen?

JR: To have leadership. Being a leader in a team will definitely help because if there’s just no leader, then the team will fall apart. 

QB: If you could travel anywhere, anywhere in the world, where would you go?

JR: To Australia. They have cool animals, and it’s a pretty nice place. They have a great reef that’s pretty cool, and a huge desert that’s pretty nice.

QB: Why did you decide to compete in the Miss And Mr. Cardinal pageant? 

JR: Because my friends really pushed me, and I really like my friends, and I want to be there for them, so I decided to join. And honestly, I want to win, because I just feel like I lead them as well, and I am a good leader. I inspire them.

QB:Why did you choose the pathway you’re going down now? 

JR: Because I don’t want to be a failure. I want to be successful. It took Mr. Cardinal for me to get an opportunity there. That’s why I’m choosing to do this and trying to win, doing the things I need to.

QB:  Why did you choose competitive, focused, and empathetic to describe yourself? 

JR: Because competition is just like whenever I play a sport, even in this, I want to win. I used focus because I’m determined. I don’t want to get distracted or anything. I just want to stay on course. And empathetic – I feel for people. Obviously if I win I’m going to feel bad for a loser, no matter what. It’s just when someone gets hurt, it brings me down as well.

QB: What emotion do you hate the most to experience? 

JR:  Probably anger because I feel like you’re not supposed to be angry. But sometimes you get mad or frustrated, like you get out of character, and people who don’t know you and they see you angry, they just want to be around you really.

QB: In your college and career plan, why did you choose the medical field?

JR: I really like biology, and life’s really cool. Healthcare is just like, you are working on life. And it’s really extraordinary. I like the environment as well. I’ve been to many universities looking into their medical fields. It seems like a really cool pathway, and I’m really excited for it.

QB: If you’re going into the medical field, what path are you choosing, and why? 

JR: Pediatrics because I feel it’s more important. I feel like more people are just like, ‘oh, I want to be a top surgeon or something.’ Like, just for the money. That’s cool and all, but I prefer to actually be helping people and helping children. That’s what’s important for the future.