This coming fall Ripon High Senior Donny Fontillas will be attending Menlo College to wrestle and pursue his further education. He’s been involved in school activities like leadership and various sports since his freshman year, making an impact everywhere he’s gone along the way.

By making the most of all of his time at Ripon High, Donny has made his mark on not just the school but the people at it. Donny’s close friend and teammate, Owen Gollinger, weighed in on his friend stating, “I would describe Donny as someone who never settles for mediocrity.”

This fact has been evident especially this year as Fontillas rose through the wrestling ranks and made it to the CIF State Tournament where only 6% of the California’s wrestlers are able to go. Gollinger added, “He always wants to be the best he can be and you can tell when you watch him in sports and in leadership or really anything he does.”
“My time here (at Ripon High) has been a nothing but a rollercoaster,” states Fontillas. “I have made memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Through sports, leadership, and clubs; this school has shaped me into a person I can be proud of.”

Although High School is coming to an end for Donny, a new life in college is waiting for him. “College is the next step for me and I couldn’t be more excited,” stayed Fontillas who is going to attend Menlo College in Atherton, California just 68 Miles from his home in Ripon.

“Menlo caught my attention because the campus atmosphere is so much like here at Ripon High, where everyone knows each other and is willing to help each other. I want to be a part of a family where I can thrive in college, and Menlo is the one.”

While college may seem like a big terrifying step in someone’s life, Donny’s friends are certain he will make the most of it and work hard. “What sets him apart as an individual is that most people don’t have what it takes to put in as much work as he does,” added Gollinger, who has been a longtime friend of Donny. “I have seen it in wrestling, I have seen his bloody hands after CrossFit workouts, and I have seen the nights where he has to come home from those and still gotten his homework done and studied.”

Matt Hix, one of Donny’s close friends, gives his advice to Donny stating, “Just keep grinding and working hard because I know you’re going big places.”

Throughout High School Donny has learned a lot, from taking his first steps on campus to being accepted into college. All the while he’s been influential on his peers and become known to be someone who radiates positivity.

Out of all his years in high school Donny thinks Junior year was the hardest. Fontillas stated, “For the incoming seniors, don’t wait last minute to do your SAT or ACT or to start college applications because that is going to be the hardest part of High School. The earlier you get it done, the more time you have to focus on having fun and enjoying your last moments in high school.”