ACHS salutatorian Vanessa Trejo
It’s graduation season and we are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight Arlington ISD high schools. Meet Arlington Collegiate High School’s salutatorian Vanessa Trejo.
NAME: Vanessa Trejo
SCHOOL: Arlington Collegiate High School
COLLEGE: Texas Woman’s University
INTENDED MAJOR: Nursing
〉What is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?
Don’t stress yourself out too much. In high school, you don’t have to worry too much. It’s not the end of the world with grades. Just try and make the best out of everything. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.
〉If you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?
I think Batman. I would want to stop crime at night. That resonates with me because I’m more effective at night as a person than I am in the morning. I think that resonates with Batman because he’s always out fighting crime at night.
〉What are you most excited about after graduation?
Being able to find myself and my sense of individuality and try and live by myself. I want to see how that goes. I’m ready to be by myself and not be surrounded by my family. I want to see what the world has to offer me.
〉Who inspires you the most and why?
My sister Alexandra. She inspires me because she’s my older sister, and I’ve been looking up to her ever since I was a kid. She’s one of the reasons I’m the salutatorian because she inspired me to persevere and not give up. She’s been there for me every step of the way and has been a big inspiration to me. I look up to her a lot. She’s the person I strive to be a lot. She’s my role model.
〉What’s been your favorite high school memory?
Whenever I would help with the adopt-a-street mile cleanup. It was for my community and with people who wanted to volunteer. I liked the whole thing. It was the first time I was able to help in the community. I got to meet the volunteer coordinator and she was great. I looked up to her. She was passionate about what she was doing and why she does it. I liked the sense of being able to help the community knowing how much it’s given me.