Lake County Gazette

Isabella Trujillo Nation, affectionately known as "Nation," is a junior at Westy who embodies active engagement in her school community. Her extracurricular involvement includes student council, choir, marching band, theatre, the IB program, FBLA, NHS, and early participation in STEM from grades 6-8.

Nation's educational journey began at Skyline in second grade and has been marked by consistent participation across the district. She aspires to attend a four-year college and pursue a career in business and event planning.

Growing up with eight siblings under her grandmother's care, Nation values the familial love that keeps them close. "There's lots of love. It keeps us close," she said.

In her free time, she enjoys sleep and self-care. Her favorite color is green and she has a fondness for foxes. If given a choice of superpower, she would choose teleportation.

When asked about Westy, Nation said: "I love being part of the culture--seeing all the different personalities and people here. "

Nation appreciates WPS's competency-based education system which she feels has benefited both her and her brothers: "WPS has encouraged me. I can't think of any other way of doing learning. Competency-Based Education--I love it. It helps me and the people I know. "

She also acknowledged Ms. Andrya Hernandez-Robles as a significant influence since her freshman year: "She's shown me how to persevere...to take care of others. "