Johann García

California State University Dominguez Hills - English Major
Paly, Class of 2024

Updated February 2026

Q: What was your experience going to Paly?

A: It was strange in freshman year because, due to the pandemic, it was mainly virtual with little in-person interaction towards the end. But I really liked my time at Paly because of the new people I met, and old friends I’ve known since elementary school. I really enjoyed my time at Paly and wouldn’t trade it for anything different. 

Q: Which teachers or administrators at Paly were particularly helpful?

A: One particularly helpful teacher at Paly was Lucy Filppu, whom I had for English 10A and Writer’s Craft. She was such an incredible teacher; I have fond memories of the lessons she taught, the books we read, and the amazing projects we did. The Writer’s Craft class she taught was one of the best classes I took, thanks to her vivid personality. She was my favorite English teacher at Paly.

Q: How did you decide which college to attend?

A: When I was applying for schools, I knew that I wanted to move away from the Bay Area but stay in California. I knew I wanted to be in a school that was close to some of my favorite places, such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, while also receiving a high-quality education. Originally, I was supposed to go to California State University, Fullerton, but unfortunately, due to housing issues, I had to withdraw. However, California State University, Dominguez Hills was my second choice. I really loved the school when I visited it. I loved how it had the feel of a great school but with a small class size. I wanted to make it a personal goal to try to connect with my professors. 

Q: How did you decide on your major?

A: It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to major in, but eventually, I settled on English, as writing has always been my favorite subject. In particular, three Paly teachers, Athena Foley, Rose Lawler, and Lucy Filppu, motivated and inspired me to pursue English, as I enjoy creative writing. 

Q: How has RTE impacted your life?

A:  RTE has had a large impact on my life. Thanks to their financial support, I’ve been able to attend school without worrying too much about money. They have given me the ability to fulfill my academic goals without the huge financial stress. RTE has helped me in other ways, as it’s provided me with a personal mentor, community engagement with fellow students and alumni, and career workshops, to help secure a good job after graduation.     

Q: What type of guidance do you get from your RTE mentor?

A: The guidance I get from my mentor, Adelaide Roberts, is very comforting as she’s someone I can talk to, not just about academics, but also about life in general. She is always there for me when I need her, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know her. I feel so lucky to have someone like her and an organization like RTE to help guide me throughout my college journey.

Q: What has college been like for you?  Describe your challenges and successes.

A: My time at CSUDH has been great. I’ve really enjoyed living my best life in Southern California. I’ve had some great success here, as I’ve connected well with an English Professor I had in my first year. Overall, I’m excited to see what the future holds as I’ve got some big plans. Some challenges that I’ve faced have been navigating my way around the area, including getting used to how traffic works here (totally different from the Bay Area), having challenging classes, and having issues with roommates. But I’ve faced all of these challenges head-on by advocating for myself and my own needs. 

Q: What is your goal after college?

A: My goal after I graduate is to go straight into the workforce. I don’t have an exact idea of what I’ll do, but as long as it's something that involves writing, then it’s all good. Some ideas that I have been thinking about are being a writer for either the screen or publication, getting a teaching credential, or being a part of a news publication like the LA Times. 

Q: Who are your role models at the moment?

A: My first year English Professor, Jessica Raymond, is a role model as she helped me to navigate both of the classes she taught. She really made a positive impact on me during my first year at college. Her teaching and lessons helped with all of the projects and papers at the university.

Q: What advice would you give to your high school self?

A: I would tell my younger self to take risks, as sometimes you need to take risks to truly live life and be open to anything new, whether it's experiences, people, travel, or food, as it’s a way to live in this big, wondrous world.