Energetically working on the yearbook at San Mateo High School, senior Faith Bettis, an influential figure at school, has lots of other things on her plate. Throughout Faith’s years at San Mateo, she has made lots of time in her life to help this school be a better place. She was editor-in-chief for the Yearbook during her sophomore and senior year and supported her class during both years, especially over quarantine.
In her free time she does ballet, and has been at the Classical Ballet of California since she was the age of nine. Faith also enjoys sewing a lot, and she started over quarantine and it stuck with her. Faith makes most of her dresses for school dances, such as prom, homecoming, winter formal, and the upcoming graduation! At Faith’s studio for ballet, she likes to help out with costumes and design as well. Faith also really enjoys music. “I’ve always been into music and I’ve been writing songs since I was in middle school,” she says. Even though she doesn’t formally take lessons, she still loves to play the guitar and write songs.
Faith was born in Medan, Indonesia, and shortly after she was born her family moved to Texas. When Faith was in first grade she moved to Pacifica, but it wasn’t until she was a sophomore that she moved to San Mateo and Foster City.
“Faith has taken on lots of leadership and responsibility roles – the editor has to guide the design from fonts, color, and themes, and Faith has always been good with the roles she’s taken on,” says Ms. Eckert, the teacher who runs the yearbook class. Ms. Eckert also mentioned how Faith was a very calm and patient leader throughout the years she’s been an editor and has been good at assisting one on one with other students. “During the online class for the yearbook, she was one of five students to not be a freshman in class. She took on a big responsibility only in her sophomore year,” also says Ms. Eckert. Faith was an amazing leader and gave a lot of support to others in the classroom.
“Nothing exactly comes to mind as my biggest accomplishment, there are a lot of things I’m proud of but nothing outshines them all because each one is special to me” Faith comments. If she had to choose one however it would probably be a sewing project, and if she’s able to complete her sewing accomplishments like her graduation dress, that would have her having made four formal dresses this school year and it would be her biggest accomplishment.
“Faith is my best friend in the world. We met freshman year and became really close during our junior year” says Evelyn Mak, a close friend of Faith Bettis and fellow senior. “Faith has been a member of the student council for four years, so she spends plenty of her time helping others and spreading school spirit,” she adds. When asking Evelyn to describe Faith, she commented Faith was kind, caring, and “the most thoughtful and caring person [she] knows.” Faith is such an amazing peer here at San Mateo.
At San Mateo, she has been on the student council for the entirety of her high school career. Up until her junior year, Faith served as a site council member, and for her final year, she served as vice president. She has also been in Renaissance where she was a part of the student recognition team and this year will be her third year on the yearbook and second year as editor-in-chief.
“Faith is going places in her life, she has shown through the yearbook and more that she has a tremendous sense of responsibility and independence that can really make her successful in her future,” Ms. Eckert says. As Faith graduates high school and makes her way beyond, she will lead others wherever she goes and will always hold the caring spirit she has.