Senior puts her foot in every door on campus
After clambering out of the yellow van, which her family calls “the Banana Slug,” senior Julia Schulte happily strolls to drama teacher Marcy Goodnow’s classroom, jamming to Vampire Weekend. The warm morning sun causes the golden, beaded stars on her favorite jean jacket to glitter as she walks. Her orange backpack seems to be filled to the brim with the thoughts of her day ahead. Being involved in the Drama Department, GSA+, JOOI Club, Geo, Advanced Dance, Advanced 
Choir, and Link Crew makes for a busy life, but Schulte finds that participating in so many clubs and classes pays off. So, she walks in her worn white hi-tops to Goodnow’s room– one of her many homes on campus– with a grin on her face, ready to take on the day.
The freshman version of Schulte, however, walked with a lot less confidence and boldness compared to her senior self, who stands tall and speaks with fluidity and power. “Befo
re, I was really, really shy, and I wouldn’t take chances, but now, I mean, it’s like an audition! I’m going to try,” Schulte said.
And trying everything has done her many favors: along with boosting her confidence in herself, and teaching her to manage her time, her incredible involvement has allowed her to make connections that will last long after high school ends.
“I think the t
hings I’m going to remember most about high school are the shows. Definitely. Just the community and the people,” she said. Schulte played the role of the Queen of Hearts in the fall play, “Alice in Wonderland”, and Trix the Aviatrix in this year’s spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Schulte has been in six shows at Paso Robles High School. As a sophomore, she was a tech crew member for “Robin Hood”, and has been a running member of the theatre company ever since.
Participating in so many activities alongside drama has also allowed Schulte to access parts of herself that she never knew could be. Advanced Choir with Aimee Ware has helped Schulte improve her singing and exploit a belt and pitch unmatched. And thanks to Geo with Mark DiMaggio, she’s also found a powerful drive to explore that accompanies her extremely powerful voice.
“She’s one of the strongest female hikers because she never stops to rest, no matter how tired she is, until she gets to her goal. It’s really amazing, honestly,” fellow Geo hiker, senior Marlee Drake said.
In addition Link Crew, JOOI CLub, and GSA+ have all allowed her to express her passions for leadership and kindness, and everyone around her can see it. Schulte has found so many opportunities on campus to keep her busy, but she’s also found opportunities to be herself and shine.
“She’s amazing,” Schulte’s AP Lit teacher, Aaron Cantrell said. “She sings like an angel, and she writes like an angel.”
Even on top of the million things she does, Schulte always searches for a challenge.
“There was this one hike on Santa Cruz Island called Willows… and I was one of the only girls who was able to hike all the way back up to the top, and that was really cool because it was a really difficult hike. It was a challenge but I did it, and it felt really good.”
Over the summer Schulte was involved in a production of “In the Heights” with North County Theatre Works, and even in her most comfortable element– the theatre– Schulte pushed her boundaries. “I like how [‘In the Heights’] challenged me. I got to work with people from other schools and other drama departments, so it was like I got a taste of the real world. Also, it was musically challenging to be lifted [while singing], and, ugh, the dance was just awesome.” Schulte said.
Her passion for an ever increasing plethora of extracurriculars shows in her everyday life as she goes throughout her day, whether it be in rehearsal, in class, or just talking to her friends.
“Julia is very enthusiastic and hardworking in everything she does,” said senior Emma Dart, who is Schulte’s classmate and castmate.
“I remember I met her sophomore year during ‘Hairspray’, and I was so jealous of her because she was a Dynamite, and she was so good. But yes, I met her sophomore year. And I loved her,” Dart said. The two also TA together for one of Goodnow’s Beginning Drama classes, and Dart was Schulte’s assistant director of a One Act the Beginning/Intermediate students performed May 12.
“I kind of want to do, like, everything,” Schulte said about her plans for after high school. Her goals include: earning her BFA in musical theatre at Cal Poly SLO, taking on the challenge of a 60 plus mile backpacking trip, completing her creation– “The Brothers Karamazov: The Musical”, volunteering to teach theatre to kids, and finally, she said, “I want to plant a bunch of trees.”
And that she will do. Because when Julia Schulte gets an idea, there seems to be no stopping her.
