Every Spring, Sunlake High School hosts a special evening for families of incoming freshman. Parents walk into the auditorium with hopeful but anxious faces, wondering what the next year’s four years will bring to their children. A woman named Dr. Julia helped some parents who were her friends that asked her questions about high school.  Dr. Julia is my mom. She is one person that helped get through my first two years at Sunlake high school.  

Dr. Julia, a former medical university professor and pulmonologist with a PhD in medicine, knew the value of education and preparation. Though she had once treated patients and trained future doctors, her focus had shifted to something just like helping young people succeed in high school and helping their parents with giving out information they need. 

When her own son started high school, she dove headfirst into learning how the school worked: classes, clubs, programs, sports, and science. With her deep knowledge of science and passion for learning, she quickly became helpful to other parents and students, offering advice on what to do to balance academic and personal growth.  

Dr. Julia she made a big impact on parents like her best friend and other people she got to meet over the years she helps all of them by explaining that when going to high school you have to already have to be asking about things that will help you in high school and how it will make it good on your college essay.  She also shared information about what you need to do if you want to make a sports team because she has a son that plays sports and that’s how she knowns what to do in that. Another good advice she gives to every single parent that, “if your kid is going to high school you have to let them fail because you try to help them out, they won’t try so you have to let them fail and they will understand that’s important”.   

She often said to parents and students “Don’t worry, High school can be challenging, but it’s also full of chances to grow. Just stay involved, stay supportive, and let your child know you believe in them.”  

Julia shared her own experience – from helping with science homework to encouraging me to explore clubs and new interests. Her background in science gave her unique insight, and she is always happy to explain tough topics in a way I can understand so I can pass a test or so it will be easier to understand in class.  

But my mom Julia loves to dance because before being a doctor she used to dance at her school and for a team she would always win first place for her school or team, and she always made the news when she was kid for dancing. Julia got an offer from a school to dance for them she could become a famous dancer, but her patience was to become a doctor.  

Julia’s warm and friendly nature makes her easy to talk to, and she is a very good person to ask for advice. Whether it was questions about advanced classes like math, science, and English she would know what to do and what say so the person could understand. Julia will always be there with honest answers and encouragement.  

While she once helped patients breathe easier, now Julia helps families do the same offering support, knowledge, and heart as they step into the next chapter of their lives.