Jessica Tonti -- Garden Grove's Outstanding Teen

Jessica is a 16-year-old junior at the Crystal Cathedral High School and has been raised and educated in the Garden Grove community. She has attended the Crystal Cathedral High School for the past eight years and has academically and artistically succeeded far beyond the average high school student. Jessica has been involved in most of the arts programs in her school including dance, drama, choir, and visual arts. Jessica has received multiple merit scholarships through the Arvella Schullar Scholarship committee. These include: 4 dance scholarships, 2 art scholarships, and an academic scholarship given to only a select few students with the top GPAs. Jessica has successfully maintained a 4.1 GPA or higher throughout her high school career. She has been an honor role student for all of junior high and high school, has received the Science Student of the Year Award, and is currently a member of both The National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honors Society.  After high school, Jessica plans to attend a four-year university and obtain a degree in Business with a minor in dance. She hopes to one day become a high-end wedding coordinator.

 

Jessica has a huge appreciation for the arts. She started dancing at the age of nine and completely fell in love with it. She currently dances in Garden Grove at the Colony of Performing Arts, taking ballet, jazz, lyrical and tap, and is also involved in multiple competition groups. Jessica has achieved the rank of a Soloist in The Company Dance Unlimited, a non-profit dance company that gives back to the community by performing at many local events. Jessica has danced with the company at many community events including the Garden Grove Tree Lighting ceremony, multiple parades, nursing homes, and the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.  Jessica also enjoys painting and drawing, and is currently teaching herself how to play the piano and guitar.  As a member of her school choir, Jessica has sung in both the Carnegie Hall and Grand Old Opry.

 

Even with her busy schedule, Jessica still finds the time to participate in one of her greatest loves: Mission Work. Jessica frequently works with the volunteer organization Men and Women of Action (MWOA). MWOA is a worldwide non-profit construction and disaster relief organization. With MWOA Jessica has been a team member on numerous projects in the United States, Mexico, and just recently from a trip to Ecuador. On these trips, Jessica has helped with the construction of churches, feeding centers, orphanages, hospitals, and homes and has also had the opportunity to work directly with children on the streets, in group homes, daycare centers, orphanages and feeding centers. As part of her high school career Jessica has enjoyed taking part in community service activities.  She has worked with the Special Olympics, has volunteered at the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse, and has taught Sunday school to the children at her church.

 

Jessica has a huge passion for people and is thrilled to have the opportunity this year to work hand in hand with the people of Garden Grove. She is honored to be chosen to represent the teens of her city and will strive to be the best role model that she can be. She can’t wait to dive into her year of service and is excited to see what the months ahead have to offer.