Your Name
Diego Jaramillo
What High School do you attend?
Mukwonago High School
Please highlight your accomplishments while in High School.
Academically, I have kept a 4.0 GPA while taking 15 AP courses and 3 dual enrollment courses during my time here. As a sophomore, I was recognized by CollegeBoard for both their National Hispanic Recognition Program and their National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program, and I was fortunate enough to be the first Mukwonago student named for two CollegeBoard awards in one year. They also named me as an AP Scholar with Distinction both my sophomore and junior year, and I hope to receive the same award this year. Regarding my college admissions, I was extremely fortunate as well: I received 3 full-ride scholarships (the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Ohio State University, and the University of Alabama) and was admitted to four Top-20 Universities (Georgetown University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Yale University). Lastly, I have had great experiences with my extracurriculars: I was the captain of my club soccer team for several years, I captained the Mukwonago Boys Soccer Team as a Senior, and I hold several leadership positions including Class President, Student Representative to the School Board, National Honor Society President, and Spanish Club President.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mother owns a marketing business and my father has worked in IT for over 25 years. My sister is about to graduate from the 6th grade at Clarendon Avenue Elementary School. They are my biggest supporters in everything I do and I love them all very much.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending Yale University in New Haven, CT pursuing a B.A. in Economics.
What is your favorite meal?
Buñuelos (or cheese fritters) are a savory Colombian treat that will forever remind me of my aunt who makes them with love.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Either Medellin, Colombia, or Quito, Ecuador so I could visit family.
What are your favorite movies? TV shows?
Avatar: The Last Airbender and Bojack Horseman (despite their radically different themes and maturity levels) are the two shows that have resonated with me the most.
Who was/is your favorite teacher/coach from any grade? Why?
Although I have had the fortune of learning from countless amazing teachers, I would like to shout out my former 3rd-grade teacher Mrs. Nicoson. Not only is she an eternally kind and caring individual, but she gifted me with a passion for learning that I never lost.
What is your favorite thing to do in Mukwonago?
Sports. Whether I’m kicking a ball around at the high school fields or watching my friends in Blue and Gold, the sporting life here in Mukwonago is doubtless my favorite part.
If you were asked to give advice to the younger students at your school, what would you say?
Appreciate every second. I know it sounds cheesy and overdone, but after that first day of your freshman year, you’ll blink and end up on the graduation stage. Even though I always made an effort to be consciously thankful for all the good things, if I could go back I would have done infinitely more.
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek. He is one of the most insightful and potent thinkers of our time, and I would love the chance to listen to his thoughts more casually at David Alan Alan’s (my favorite local restaurant).
What is your favorite thing about our community?
Mukwonago is a town that seeks to honor those who help and support one another. It is a very strong community with an abundance of spirit.
What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
I have been extremely active in the local soccer community. As a staff coach for several different camps, I have worked to foster a love for the beautiful game in this town and help kids make friends in the process. It was my grandfather who created the first soccer team here, and building upon his legacy in a sport that provides international connections has been a great pleasure.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to be finishing up my Doctorate degree in Economics and looking for professorial or research positions.
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
All of my friends call me “Deg”. I don’t know its origin but it is certainly here to stay.
What are you passionate about?
Education. It is the foundation of our society and I plan on spending a great deal of my life pursuing and improving it.
What is something on your bucket list?
At some point in my life, I want to attend a World Cup Final.
What is your go to band / singer when you can’t decide what to listen to?
George Michael/Wham!. Absolutely timeless.
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is July, my favorite holiday is Christmas, and the best day on the calendar is June 21st because it is the longest day of the year.
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The book Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson. It simultaneously contains the most striking information and compelling prose. It is a literary masterpiece and my number one book recommendation.
Who inspires you to be better?
My grandparents. I have always been raised to honor the legacy and accomplishments of both sides of my family tree, and looking to them in times of need has served to strengthen my conviction and reinforce my diligence.
Who would you like to give a Shout Out to that contributed to your success?
I would like to especially thank my Spanish teachers. Sra. Peters, Srta. Klein, and Sr. Huelsman have all helped immeasurably in my striving for bilingualism, and thanks to their help that is now a title I am close to claiming.
