Alexandra Kotsos served as SRHS cheer captain during the 2108-19 year. (courtesy photo)
Grad credits local links to success
When Scripps Ranch High School 2019 graduate Alexandra Kotsos leaves for the University of California, Santa Barbara this fall, she’ll be leaving behind more than just a few friends and family members.
That’s because she’s the product of three generations living in Scripps Ranch. In a young community that didn’t start to blossom until the seventies, this sets Alexandra apart from the others.
Her mother, Tamara Kotsos, said she believes her daughter’s success combined along with her history with Scripps Ranch is no coincidence. Alexandra graduated in June as the captain of Scripps Ranch High’s varsity cheer team and the senior class president, something her mother attributes to living in a strong community with good values.
“I think what Scripps Ranch has taught her is that involvement leads to leadership and that leadership is going to stay with her all through college and hopefully help her launch her career eventually,” Tamara said.
Alexandra said she hopes those who are just starting high school will follow her lead and get involved on campus.
“At the end of the day, it is so much more fun to participate in activities than to just sit on the side making fun of them,” Alexandra said.
Long before her time at Scripps Ranch High, Alexandra did her time at Dingeman Elementary School, then at Marshall Middle School, where Tamara said her daughter’s activities led to an added 260,000 miles on her minivan. Her mother noted that even her daughter’s first job at Everbowl was in the neighborhood.
While many teenagers are quick to get out of their hometowns, Alexandra said it is easy to see the ways in which her community helped her to get to where she is today. She said her family history in the town has made this connection all the more special, as her mother described growing up during the days when their neighborhood didn’t even have major grocery stores.
“It’s been really awesome growing up in the same place where my mom has grown up because there are just so many interesting people and you get to know their stories over the years,” Alexandra said. “I know that wherever I go in life, I’ll always find someone from Scripps Ranch.”
Starting in the fall, Alexandra said she has chosen a pre-law track as she takes her talents to Santa Barbara.