Daniella Morales-Garibay is an incredibly talented and motivated senior at John Adams High School. As a full International Baccalaureate senior and a winter athlete, Daniella is extremely busy. Despite this, Daniella constantly remains an exceptionally kind and caring person who willingly gives help to anyone who needs it.

In addition to her intense course load, she is highly involved in clubs and organizations at Adams. Throughout her time in high school, she has participated in Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society (NHS), John Adams Volunteer Association, Girls Swimming, Mock Trial, Art Club, Notre Dame Upward Bound Program, and the International Baccalaureate Ambassador Program.

While excelling in academics, she occupies many leadership roles in the high school community, including Secretary of the 2024 NHS chapter, President of Spanish club, President of Spanish Honor Society, and a two-year captain of the John Adams Girls Swim Team.

Three of Daniella’s teachers stand out to her as the people who have shaped her high school experience the most. She loves Mrs. Stanton, her Spanish teacher, because “She is so extremely dedicated to what she does and it shows in her ability to help everyone improve. She is always there for everyone, and is a selfless person who I aspire to be like.” Mr. Cline, her history teacher, is one of her favorite teachers because “he has taught me a lot when it comes to history. He really engages the class and lightens the mood with his jokes, making me happy to come to his class everyday.” Finally, Daniella reflects that Ms. Zablocki, her art teacher, is “a teacher who is just always fun to be around because I can trust her and she is very understanding. I have also had her as a teacher for a long time.”

Outside of school, Daniella is coming upon her thirteenth year dancing for South Bend Tierra Viva Mexican Folkloric Dance Group. Additionally, she volunteers to aid the community, especially at the Northern Indiana Food Bank. She is a lifeguard and has worked at both the Kroc Center and the East Race.

Growing up in a Hispanic household with Spanish-speaking parents, Daniella is bilingual. Her passion for the language has led to her participation in Spanish Honor Society her junior and senior years and Spanish Club her freshman through senior years. Daniella was appointed as the president of Spanish Club and the Spanish Honor Society during her senior year.

Daniella’s favorite extracurricular activity is mock trial, in which she has played the role of a witness on her team, Tonkers Bonkers, for two years. She appreciates “working with the team and being able to receive advice from such knowledgeable people.” These knowledgeable people are the coaches of her mock trial team, Elijah Grammar and John Scanlan.

Some of Daniella’s favorite high school memories have been formed during her time on the girls’ swim team. She notes: “My favorite memories are banging on the bus windows on the bus ride home from swim meets and dying during test sets with Addie Rabbitt.” Her advice for future students is to “immerse yourself in the high school community and join clubs” in order to meet new people and feel at home.

Daniella has been awarded the prestigious Lilly Endowment Scholarship and will receive a full ride to her dream school, Notre Dame, to which she has been accepted and is committed. She is looking forward to studying political science on the pathway to going to law school and becoming an immigration lawyer.

The Tower wishes Daniella a fulfilling rest of her senior year and a wonderfully successful future!