From the rainforests of O’ahu to the sand dunes of Bahrain, all the way to the shores of
Coronado, Tayah Bubulka is about to embark on her biggest adventure yet: college.
The graduating senior was president of the Junior Optimist club, and one of four captains of the Coronado High School swim team this year – her first year on varsity.
“I’ve learned how to be a leader,” she said, “I’ve learned how to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Bubulka has been twice featured in The Coronado News for her recent recognition as a Military Child of the Year semifinalist and as an Optimist Club of Coronado scholarship award winner.
Her distinctions don’t stop there.
Heading to USC
In the fall, Bubulka will head up Interstate 5 to attend the University of Southern California, where she’ll be majoring in architecture, an area of study supplemented by her wide berth of knowledge and experience as a military child.
“Every year we basically moved,” she said, “And it’s made me adaptable and resilient. Moving to college is not going to be an issue.”
I’ve been able to see the world from different perspectives. Living in the Middle East definitely changes the way that you look at things and interpret certain situations.”
-Tayah Bubulka.
She cites her experiences around the world as the impetus for many of her values: “I’ve been able to see the world from different perspectives. Living in the Middle East definitely changes the way that you look at things and interpret certain situations.”
“I bring a new point of view and I’m able to look at other people’s perspectives other than my own,” she said.
Bubulka’s empathy facilitated a project with the Girl Scouts, an endeavor which earned her the prestigious Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor.
For her project, she created 152 individual packages with feminine hygiene products for at least one menstrual cycle, what she called “Period Packages.”
Over the course of a year, and with the help of the Junior Optimists and community donations, Bubulka donated her packages to Father Joe’s Villages, which works to help the homeless.
Her Gold Award efforts were enough to win the Tony Gwynn All-Star Award, and saw Father Joe’s receive a $5,000 donation in Bubulka’s name to continue her project while she’s away at school.
Moving to Coronado was the best thing that has ever happened to me…I’ve been able to be a leader and accomplish what I have because of the support that I’ve had at CHS, through swim and Junior Optimist, and the Girl Scouts.”
-Tayah Bubulka.
“Moving to Coronado was the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Bubulka said, “My old school didn’t even have half the opportunities that Coronado High has. I’ve been able to be a leader and accomplish what I have because of the support that I’ve had at CHS, through swim and Junior Optimist, and the Girl Scouts.”
