For Hoover High senior Daniel Uvakin, a normal day turned into something unforgettable after he was accepted into the University of California, Berkeley for engineering. Even though he didn’t originally expect to go there, Berkeley quickly became the obvious choice.

“I was shocked. I did not expect it at all,” Uvakin said. “I had my eyes set on San Diego and didn’t think I had a chance at Berkeley. I applied just because, but it’s the most prestigious school for my major. I feel like I’ll have the best opportunities for my major there.”

The moment he found out wasn’t anything big or planned—it just happened while he was with his friends at the Glendale Galleria.

“It was just a normal day,” he said. “We had robotics that day, then afterward we went to the gym and got a quick bite to eat. I had found out that two of my peers got accepted into Berkeley as well.

“I picked up my phone to text my mom that I was on my way home, and that’s when I saw the email. My friends and I started jumping together. People were staring at us, but I didn’t care—this was my moment.”

Uvakin plans to study mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace and is especially excited about getting involved on campus.

“They have a lot of cool clubs there, like BattleBots. Starting robotics here at Hoover and now being able to join something like that is really exciting,” he said.

Hoover Robotics Club Advisor Jessie Lim described Uvakin as a bold student.

“Daniel Uvakin can only be Daniel Uvakin,” she said. “He can be stubborn but he has a very unique characteristic that makes him stand out.”

Uvakin made sure to recognize the person who helped him the most along the way.

“I want to thank my mom. She always supported me and helped me through everything,” Uvakin said. “I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I always try to do my best, and she was there whenever I struggled. I don’t think I would’ve gotten this far without her.”