The First All-Female Fifteen
Ariel Castillo II Teal Tribune
Fernanda Ponce waits in line to get her breakfast during the top 15 celebration at Pebble Hills’ culinary May 19.
May 22, 2018
On Saturday, May 19, administration, teachers and parents gathered together to celebrate the all-female top 15 students with a breakfast to honor the dedication and hard work that students put in during their years in high school.
The first to graduate as the top fifteen students in school history are Juliahna Hayes, Yezleen Maldonado, Fernanda Ponce, Brianna Contreras, Ana Rodriguez, Cheryl Gutierrez, Stephanie Granados, Camille Garcia-Flores, Paola Arellano, Marissa Atilano, Noelle Marquez, Alexia Reynoso, Eimy Torres-Gardon, Cynthia Fernandez, and Denaeya Combs.
According to students, being apart of Pebble Hills’ first-graduating class is an honorable experience, and being named top 15 was a prestigious achievement.
Valedictorian, Julie Hayes says there was a bit of pressure for her to maintain her rank.
“The most prominent emotion I feel is pride for all the things I have accomplished throughout my high school experience,” Hayes said.
Her continuos balance between academic and non-academic responsibilities has helped shape her into the student she is today.
The ladies have all built a strong friendship together.
“I think we have left a strong message for future classes that women are capable of anything,” class president, Marissa Atilano said. “It is very unique amongst all the high schools to have a strong group of leading women that not only lead individually, but together.”
The road might not have been easy, but the push to finish strong and make school history was motivation enough.
“Sometimes it felt like it would never end, but thenI would look back and see how fad I’ve come and that motivated me to move forward,” no. 4 in the class, Brianna Contreras said.
As they conclude their final days here at Pebble Hills, they hope to maintain their hard-working mindset for the years to come. They will be walking in white and orange gowns on Saturday, June 2 at the Don Haskins Center.
The event was hosted by class of 2018 sponsors and is said to be an annual tradition.
“Our sponsors gave up a lot of time to make our senior events special, planning and execution was spot on and we really appreciate every little thing they did for us,” Atilano said.
