Brandi James

For the past four years, Brandi James has been a leader in two very important, yet different ways. Many of you know her as the high–spirited cheer captain who always got the crowd energized at football games. However she leads in a subtler, but equally important manner in the classroom as well.

She has been an active and influential member of Community Partnerships Academy (CPA), making a positive impact on those around her. Brandi’s history teacher for the past three years, James Dopman, said that she leads quietly by helping those around her. Dopman also stressed that Brandi has grown tremendously throughout the three years he’s been her teacher, saying that she is the perfect example of someone who has grown into their voice throughout high school.
Brandi also said of CPA that they learned not only from textbooks but also from real–life scenarios, which helped her engage in the learning experience.

Her ability to lead, and passion for helping others has lead her to be interested in becoming a juvenile probation officer. After attending Solano Community College Brandi plans to transfer to either a Historically Black College or California State University, depending on the quality of the criminal justice programs.
A big part of her life has always been cheerleading. Her fondest memories of high school are of cheering at Friday night football games. Although she has decided to put the cheering on hold while she’s at Solano in order to focus on academics, she hopes to take it up again after transferring.

Brandi says that the most important lesson she learned throughout high school is that your social life cannot be everything; you also have to focus on your schoolwork. She also stated that to receive help you have to ask for it; it isn’t just given to you. Her greatest accomplishment, she says, was learning to balance school, cheering, and family. She also wants to thank her CPA family, cheer family, and her family at home for all the support they have given her.
Brandi’s sense of humor and ability to speak her mind made an impressive mark on Berkeley High School these past four years, and it is safe to say we can expect great things from her as she starts the next chapter of her life.