Senior Jacqueline Cruz Gutierrez first came to Armijo as a freshman, but she’s learned a lot about her future in the last four years through the College and Career program.

With only a few weeks left until graduation, Cruz said, “I’m going to miss going to class and seeing my favorite teachers and doing fun activities in class.”  Her favorite memories of the school include the night rallies, and football games, as well as her amazing teachers. “Enjoy every moment and have fun, but also to get good grades to have an amazing graduation at the end of high school,” she shared, hoping to influence incoming Armijo students.

If she could make Armijo better, she said that she would want to have more teachers and counselors who would have open discussions with teenagers who might be going through various mental illnesses. Students worldwide have been impacted by COVID-19, including Cruz. It’s not all negative, though. She said that COVID has helped her truly find and fix herself for the better. “I hope everyone goes after their dreams and not let anyone get in the way of it,” she said.

Cruz plans on going to Solano Community College or UC Davis, studying in an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program. It is important that she follow her dreams because she is potentially a role model for her sisters: Estrella (14), Vanessa (11), and Gextimanie (4). Her own role model is her mother. Outside of school, Cruz loves playing video games and playing with her dogs.