Teachers use words like extraordinary, amazing, wise, gifted and dynamic when describing Jordan Gilchrist. She is exceedingly enthusiastic and motivated, and is sincerely interested in improving her world.
One of her most meaningful experiences has been her contribution in CATAPULT Youth Leaders for the Great Valley. She joined 35 other high school students (two from each of the 18 counties that comprise the Central Valley of California) to study community problems and find solutions. With a $500 grant, she conducted a needs assessment, formed a committee, ran a newspaper ad, and organized a school-wide clothing drive for a local homeless shelter.
She has also been a volunteer coach for the 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball team at the Lincoln Community Center’s. She held practices after school and on weekends for all teams in the Community Center girl’s league. The group practices she held helped foster a sense of community among teams in the league as girls befriended their competitors and expanded their basketball skills.
Jordan has been head coordinator of Lincoln High School Key Club’s UNICEF coin drive which has raised over $1000 annually for children in need around the world. She has also spent weekends serving food in her cities’ local soup kitchen serving homeless families.
Much of Jordan’s out-of-class time is devoted to improving her school community. She is Vice President of Key Club, a founding member of Leo’s Club, and Vice Chairman of School Site Council. Jordan has also distinguished herself with an array of extra and co-curricular activities, participating in four years of varsity track, varsity volleyball, and varsity tennis for her high school team. She will earn six varsity letters by the completion of her high school career.
Jordan’s persistence and enthusiasm is evident when one asks her about her career path. Since sophomore year when she interned at the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Jordan has wanted to pursue a career as a civil rights attorney. She has become even more focused in this field since participating in the Foundation of the California State Bar’s prestigious Legal Heritage Summer Institute and Georgetown’s Junior Statesmen program, where she studied in a constitutional law course.
Jordan is currently an Assistant Public Defender, in the Oklahoma County Public Defenders office.
