Alumni Spotlight on Jimena Llaveria '12: Life Among the Sea Otters

What have you been up to since you left Pinecrest?
After graduation, I attended Georgia College & State University. I studied Biology, with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and was part of my collegiate dance team. After college graduation, I went to work part-time at the Georgia Aquarium. A few months later, I became an intern for the Mammals & Birds Team at the Georgia Aquarium, first working with our Asian Small Clawed Otters, Arctic Seabirds, and Sea Otters, and afterwards, became an intern working with African Penguins. At the end of this internship, I was hired full-time and became an apprentice animal trainer, focusing on animal medical health and behaviors with our Sea Otters, Asian Small Clawed Otters and Arctic Seabirds!

How did your years at Pinecrest influence your career path?

Pinecrest is a special place that differs from many other places. I honestly didn't love biology in high school; however, I knew I needed to take those classes for my career path. The teachers at Pinecrest really allowed me to find my love for it. Along with the teachers, the young men and women from my class were very strong-willed, opinionated, kind, loving people that I am still close to today. They were great at knowing when to be focused and when to have fun, and I wouldn't be who I am today without them.

How did Pinecrest prepare you for college and beyond?
As much as I hated it then, the teachers at Pinecrest always made us present something or read out loud in class. I then went to a liberal arts college that focuses much of its attention to our ability to present in front of a large group comfortably and always be able to successfully defend a study, an opinion, a thesis, etc. So having already had a stepping stone for that really allowed me to build upon my public speaking skills very quickly.

What is your favorite memory of Pinecrest?
Pinecrest football and basketball games. We may not always have been great at football, but we always had fun. Also, after school hangouts in front of the Gym before we all would go to practice or get picked up by our parents. Something ridiculous always happened like the time one of the boys actually ate a caterpillar.

Was there a teacher at PA who really influenced you?
Mrs. Chwat!! She was our literature teacher junior and senior year. She definitely taught us to really analyze what we were reading. There is always more to the story. She also really allowed us to express our opinions openly. Mr. McCabe was also a favorite for a similar reason. Being at a Catholic school, sometimes you can forget why we believe in certain things and why we, as Catholics, do what we do. Mr. McCabe taught us how to deliberate with others, and how to defend an option or belief, while also learning and understanding where the other person might be coming from. I have been able to use this skill throughout my life.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would hope that in five years I have moved up the ranks at the Georgia Aquarium and/or have gained my graduate degree in animal behavior.

What advice would you give a PA high school student?
Take this time to grow. Ask questions. Ask why. Be opinionated, even when it's different than everyone else's opinion; yet, have an understanding for others. Be open-minded, and most of all, build true relationships and friendships! PA is a different school for a reason -- get as much as you can out of it.