Jake Montes-Adams is a new member of the college counseling team here at Friends. They came to us directly from a position as an admissions counselor at Amherst College, where they had worked since graduating from the school in 2021.

A California native, Mx. Montes-Adams was ready to spread their wings and head far from the West coast after graduating from high school. So they applied almost exclusively to schools on the East coast, and a few in the Midwest.

They say they were pleased with the experience they had at Amherst, both as a student and as an admissions counselor. Montes-Adams is especially proud of Amherst’s work to diversify its student body, including a recent push for socioeconomic diversity.

But what they enjoy most is working directly with students. That’s why they ended up looking for a position at a high school where they could be on the flip side of admissions.

After growing up just outside San Diego, it should come as no surprise that one of their favorite foods is a California burrito, filled with carne asada, fries, pico de gallo, cheese, and guac – and topped with a green or red salsa. They strongly believe that the best Mexican food in the US is found in California, and that Tex Mex is “not real.”

Montes-Adams and their partner enjoy hiking together. They have a goal to hike in every US state. Just this summer they went on a road trip where they passed through 31, and successfully hiked in around 20 of them!

But although they enjoy hiking, one must for their new home was an urban environment with restaurants and movie theaters within walking distance. This is Montes-Adams’ first time living in a city, and so far they are enjoying it: discovering delicious foods, places to hike nearby, and a place in the Friends community.