by: Arnav Singhal
Sports Editor

Senior and student-athlete Tanner Goulden is making the most of his final year of high school. While most of his peers are still asleep, Goulden is already looking down at the Golden Gate Bridge from the summit of St. Joseph’s Hill. As a dedicated mountain biker, his day often begins at 6:00 AM, when he tackles the mountain that he first encountered on the Freshman Fun Run. Here, he has the privilege of watching the sun rise over the entire Bay Area. It’s that intense drive that defines his final year at Los Gatos, a year packed with sports, intense AP courses, and nostalgia.

This year, Goulden is taking AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, Intro to Guitar, Band, Jazz Band, and Philosophy. In addition to learning a new instrument in his senior year, his venturesome personality extends to the sciences as well. He remarked that his favorite class is AP Chemistry, as he enjoys the challenges it presents and the community he has built with his fellow students. Inspired by the labs in class, he wants to “work on drug treatments and clinical trials,” with the hope of using his knowledge to specialize in biochemistry and pursue a career in medicine.

In addition, Goulden runs on the Boys Varsity LGHS Track Team. He competes in the 200-meter and boasts a sub-25-second run. His love for track began in middle school, and he has been running ever since. This year, Goulden hopes to run faster than ever and make the most of his final season on the team.

Outside of school, Goulden is involved in the Community Center Campaign, a movement by the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation to create an equitable third space for the town’s residents. He inherited this initiative two years ago and currently serves as the High School Focus Group Lead. Goulden’s commitment to the initiative has resulted in data gathered from over 800 students about what they would like to see in the center, as well as features in local news outlets. When asked about his work, Goulden elaborated, “I’m working on a lot of very intimate and tight-knit projects. The idea of getting a community center built in Los Gatos means a lot to me.”

Looking back on his years in high school, Goulden had many challenges in his journey. This year alone, he has had to balance the intensity of college applications and school. To any new students beginning their high school careers, Goulden advised, “Don’t worry about the resume. Do things that you care about, and then the rest will come naturally. As long as you really invest yourself in a lot of things, you’ll find that passion, and you won’t have to worry about what comes next.”

If you see Goulden on campus, don’t be shy to ask him about his work with the center; he is sure to strike up a conversation.