You cannot miss rising senior Juan Sanchez Guerra as he walks down the halls of Prep, dressed meticulously in his blue suit and bowtie.

A transfer student, Juan joined Prep as a tenth grader because he wanted more academic challenges and better co-curricular opportunities. He says, “Prep makes more of an investment in the things I care about, such as the arts.” 

It is hard to believe that this accomplished flautist did not always appreciate music. Juan says, “I did not like music in any form as a child. I would get mad when my mom turned on the car radio, and music was always my lowest grade in school.” 

The recorder turned things around. “I was one of three kids in my class who liked the recorder,” says Juan. “We became competitive with each other and did ‘recorder karate’ in hopes of getting the musical black belt. The teacher kept having to add songs that were not part of the curriculum. You can say we broke the recorder curve.”  

Seven years later, Juan plays the flute for both the Seattle Youth Symphony and the Bellevue Symphony Orchestra. He says, “The flute can do so much. In an orchestra it is usually one of the main melody instruments. But you can play solo repertoire, chamber music repertoire, orchestral works, or accompaniments like I have done at Mass. Over the last 150 years the flute has advanced technically, and you can experiment with a range of sounds-- from mellow and dark to high and shrill.”  

In addition to being an important part of Prep’s Mass ensemble, Juan provides musical support to the theatre program. When the school musical, Guys and Dolls, was announced last season, Juan approached music teacher Elliot Weeks to ask about auditioning for the pit. “I love Mr. Weeks,” Juan says, “I met him on my first day at Prep and from that moment on he was looking for opportunities for me to get involved in the music program.” 

Juan’s flute audition went well and six weeks later he found himself under the stage in the orchestra pit, an oversized concrete closet with 10 other musicians (3 students and 7 professionals). Juan says, “It is the best experience I have ever had and definitely one of my Prep highlights!” 

Juan’s interests do not end with music. He also dabbles in acting and participates in Mock Trial, a performative ‘sport.’ He was thrilled to be a part of the winning team that won state and competed at nationals. “In Mock Trial you learn lots of great skills such as being diligent preparation, being meticulous with details and persuasive public speaking.” 

In this same intellectual vein, Juan has embraced his academics, with a particular fondness for STEM subjects. “Calculus, by far was my lowest grade this year,” he says. “It consumed so much of my time, and I struggled. But the topic is so interesting. I love it! It was the first time math made sense to me. I finally started to see its practical applications.” Next year Juan will continue exploring math with a new class -- Multi Variable Calculus. 

It is Juan’s trademark curiosity and tenacity that earned him this year’s Ignatian Award for Intellectual Competency--an appropriate honor for a young man who does not give up easily.