Resume | Ava Dejesus Portfoli

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Earned 5th Place at the highly competitive 2025 California FBLA State Leadership Conference in Social Media Strategies, ranking among the top teams in the state. Our @dvconnectfbla team built a full-scale digital campaign for a sustainable clothing brand, Green Tee, inspired by Goli Nutrition’s viral success on TikTok. As first-time competitors, we stood out for our creativity, data-driven strategy, and ability to connect social impact with modern marketing trends where we demonstrated strong brand storytelling and teamwork at a statewide level.

Recognized for my exceptional commitment to supporting local students at Da Vinci Connect High School. I made significant contributions by amplifying youth voices, mentoring younger peers, and addressing important social issues. This acknowledgment comes from the 61st Assembly District, highlighting my hard work and dedication to uplifting our community. The certificate of recognition was presented on May 28, 2025, in Hawthorne, California, by Tina S. McKinnor, a member of the California State Legislature.

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Honored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell with an official County Commendation recognizing my dedicated service as Editor-in-Chief of DV Connect Lit, Da Vinci Connect High School’s student-led literary arts magazine. This recognition, presented during Senior Awards Night 2025, celebrates my leadership in amplifying youth voices, fostering creative expression, and promoting civic pride through storytelling and community engagement that benefit residents across Los Angeles County.

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The Heart, Mind, & Agency award recognized my exceptional commitment to empowering individuals to exercise agency and autonomy within their communities and organizations. I have fostered a culture of ownership and collaboration among stakeholders, inspiring informed decision-making and driving positive, lasting change. This acknowledgment highlights my dedication to creating inclusive spaces where every voice contributes to collective progress and meaningful impact.

The NCTE Award for Student Literary Magazines recognizes excellence in student-led literary publications that showcase creativity, editorial quality, and a commitment to amplifying diverse voices. This highly competitive national award honors DV Connect Lit, Da Vinci Connect High School’s literary arts magazine, for its dedication to storytelling, youth activism, and fostering a platform for student expression through poetry, journalism, and visual arts. Under my leadership as Founder & Editor-in-Chief, DV Connect Lit was recognized for our 2024 issue, Breaking The Silence: Ending The Stigma on Teen Mental Health—a powerful edition focused on raising awareness and promoting open conversations around youth mental health. This recognition reflects the hard work of our editorial team and contributors, who continue to use the power of words to inspire change and create meaningful dialogue within our school community and beyond.

During the Asian American Journalists Association x JCalMatters Journalism Program, I developed essential journalism skills, authored a publishable article, and gained hands-on experience in both a hybrid environment and the CalMatters newsroom. I received the AAJA x JCalMatters Certificate of Completion in October 2024. Key Achievements: -Published Article: I wrote "Unveiling Bias: College Programs and the Workforce," with guidance from LA Times Political Reporter Seema Mehta, featuring interviews with figures like Senator Anthony Portantino. -Workshops: Attended sessions led by top journalists, focusing on reporting, research, and adaptability. -Networking: Participated in events such as a visit to the California State Capitol and the AAJA x JCal Networking Event. -Professional Development: Served as Site Manager for the 2024 Cohort, overseeing article and photo uploads for JCAL.news. This experience enhanced my journalism skills and provided valuable industry connections.

I received a certificate as a Freedom to Read Summit Ambassador, issued by PEN America and the County of Los Angeles Public Library. This recognition highlights my involvement in advocating for intellectual freedom and my contributions to the Freedom to Read Student Summit, where I helped champion the importance of open access to literature and counter the growing challenges to the freedom to read. As an ambassador, my role emphasizes my commitment to promoting inclusive and diverse voices in literature, aligning with my advocacy for youth activism and the right to free expression.

I participated in the Snap Lens Lab at Otis College of Art and Design. Throughout the program, I gained hands-on experience using tools like Lens Studio, which helped me design and develop my own interactive Snap Lenses for Snapchat. Working with advanced design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Maya, and Blender, I strengthened my skills in both 2D and 3D design while learning to integrate creativity with technology. During my time in the program, I explored how AR can be used not only as a creative tool but also in business and marketing, giving me valuable insights into how I can apply these skills in real-world contexts. I pushed myself to think critically about user experience and how to engage audiences through interactive AR experiences. Upon completing the program, I received a Certificate of Participation, which acknowledges the skills and knowledge I acquired. This certificate represents my ability to develop AR projects and my proficiency in digital art, demonstrating my readiness for future opportunities in the fields of media, design, and marketing.

Certificate of Completion in the Coca-Cola Leader Lab, an innovative leadership program developed by The Coca-Cola Company to address the significant challenge of attracting, developing, and retaining an engaged workforce in the business and marketing sectors. The Coca-Cola Leader Lab is designed to equip leaders with the skills necessary to enhance employee engagement and performance. Through actionable, video-driven content, I have gained insights into six transformational leadership skills: -Casting Vision: Learning to define direction and purpose to start a leadership growth journey. -Critical Thinking: Turning obstacles into opportunities to improve team performance. -Communication: Mastering the art of clear, specific, and emotionally connected communication. -Conflict Resolution: Understanding conflict types and developing effective resolution strategies. -Collaboration: Knowing when and how to include others to enhance teamwork. -Coaching Mentality: Embracing diverse perspectives and actions to achieve specific results. -Additionally, an optional module on culture building was available to further enhance my leadership capabilities.

Da Vinci Connect High School-Certificate of High Honor Roll Da Vinci Connect High School-Certificate of High Honor Roll Issued by Tami Christopher, Principal and Robert Anthony III, Assistant Principal · Jun 2024 Associated with Da Vinci Connect Proudly presented to Ava DeJesus who has demonstrated exemplary academic achievement, outstanding character, and a commitment to personal and intellectual growth. This student has achieved a GPA of 4.0 and above.

DaVinci Schools-Certificate of Participation in the Wiseburn/DaVinci JV Issued by Head Coach Carlos Ramos and Assistant Coach Helen Monterroso · Jun 2024 Associated with Da Vinci Connect This certification is proudly presented to Ava DeJesus for her participation on the Junior Varsity Team for the 2024 Softball Season (3 years)

Received a Kode With Klossy certificate for the successful completion of the Data Science curriculum. Accomplishments include mastering 13 lessons covering Python, data sets, SQL, data analytics, data set sourcing, HTML, CSV, and website debugging.

Awarded a certificate for successfully completing The Stanford Daily's 2023 Summer Multimedia Workshop, designed for high school students. This intensive program focused on enhancing multimedia skills, including photography, videography, and digital storytelling, equipping participants with practical, hands-on experience in various aspects of modern journalism.

Certificate of Recognition for outstanding performance and successful participation with Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement. Given at the 2022 Annenberg Youth Academy Exhibit Showcase on July 7, 2022.

Received a Certificate of Completion from the Johnson & Johnson Intern Academy as a Social Media Marketing Intern, working with J&J Innovation and Oppti. My role focused on enhancing "Neutrogena's" brand presence through strategic content on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. I crafted engaging campaigns using Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop, analyzed engagement data, and coordinated content calendars. This experience sharpened my professional skills and expanded my industry network.

National Ambassador for Girls Inc.:

Brand Marketing
Digital Marketing Communications
Leadership Development
Campaign Management
Media Relations
Social Media Strategy
Team Building

Entrepreneurship Program Apprentice

at Girls With Impact:

Graphic Design
Business Strategy
Marketing Strategy
Entrepreneurship
Youth Leadership
Communication Skills
Social Media Marketing

Kode with Klossy Scholar:

Python Programming
Data Analytics
Statistical Analysis
SQL Database Management
HTML Web Development
Collaborative Problem Solving
Data Visualization

Johnson & Johnson Social Media Marketing Intern:

Digital Marketing Communications
Social Media Marketing
Campaign Management
Media Relations
Market Analysis
Project Management
Strategic Planning

Portal Learning Intern and Learner:

Research and Development
Pitch Development
Design Thinking
Marketing Strategy
Project Management
Strategic Communication
Creative Problem Solving

LA Times High School Insider - Student Advisory Board Member:

Journalism Writing
Research Skills
Student Leadership
Media Engagement
Editorial Decision-Making
Content Creation
Strategic Planning

Volunteer

The Friendship Foundation

As a summer camp volunteer at the Friendship Foundation, I had the opportunity to engage directly with children and young adults with developmental disabilities, including my brother, who has autism. I was involved with a variety of activities, such as art projects, outdoor games, and sensory-friendly activities. I helped create a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring that everyone could participate and feel welcomed. Working one-on-one with the campers allowed me to build meaningful connections, encouraging social interaction, and support their personal growth in a fun way. Volunteering here was particularly important to me because I saw how much my brother and others like him had such an amazing time gaining confidence, making friends, and truly enjoying themselves. This experience not only deepened my empathy but also strengthened my commitment to advocating for individuals with disabilities and creating more inclusive spaces.

Student Volunteer

DaVinci Connect K-8th

Volunteered at my school's K-8 during Dia De Los Muertos to commemorate the Day of the Dead so kids with different cultures can learn more about Hispanic Heritage and how we celebrate it.

Rock Around The Block Volunteer

Wiseburn Education Foundation

Our district's foundation helps provide funding for STEAM, visual, and performance arts. Worked the baseball batting cage booth. I represented on behalf of our Wiseburn DaVinci Softball Athletics (JV) by providing information about our team, guidance, and instructional hitting for our community.

Ocean Neighbors Project Volunteer

Aquarium of the Pacific

Conducted independent research and created weekly presentations about our local Marine Life that connects the Aquarium of the Pacific with my local community. I helped to inform and educate my community about the animals that call the Pacific Ocean their home.