First-generation graduate shares on her WRHS experience
By Emilee Mae Struss
Leslye Reyes Valencia says her senior year was her best and most challenging year of all. She graduated with a 3.7 grade point average—a substantial improvement from what she garnered her freshman year.
“I wasn’t always the best student in school,” Valencia said. “I had a 1.8 grade point average my freshman year and I neglected my studies.”
Valencia says she had other important things happening in her life during that time. She turned 15 that year, and as a Latina, turning 15 means entering womanhood. She was practicing dances and planning for her quinceanera.
“It’s a really big celebration,” Valencia said. “Grandparents, friends and everyone comes to celebrate.”
Valencia started to focus more on her studies during her junior year. She knew she wanted to go to college but didn’t realize that a low GPA could keep her from attending the college she wanted. Her senior year, she focused more on her schoolwork and made the honor roll for the first time ever.
“My teachers were really happy,” Valencia said. “They are so supportive of me.”
Valencia also qualified and applied for 11 local scholarships to attend college. Valencia was pleased when she got the news that she had received four out of the 11 scholarships she had applied for.
“That helped me a lot because I realized that people really do want to help students,” Valencia said.
Valencia is a first-generation high school graduate in her family. She says that her two younger siblings are her motivation to work harder in school. Valencia also had three jobs at one point in her life and felt exhausted but still wasn’t making very much money. She realized that higher education was the answer to receiving better pay and a higher quality of life.
“By being the first one in my family to graduate from high school,” Valencia said, “I want to be a role model for my little brother and sister and show them what’s possible.”
Next year, Valencia will be attending the College of Southern Idaho and then hopes to transfer to Idaho State University to receive a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
“I plan to be a dental hygienist because I feel like health is really important and I like to interact with people,” Valencia explained.
Valencia is no newcomer to interacting with others. During her time at Wood River High School, she was involved in Key Club, a leadership club; W.A.T.E.R., an environmental club; and Yearbook. She also volunteered at the Catholic church in Ketchum, Our Lady of the Snows, and at The Community Library.
“I really love the people in this Valley,” Valencia said, “because they support the youth and they want to help us with our studies.”
Valencia also says that her teachers from WRHS helped her through everything. They were there for her in her difficult times and gave her great advice to make improvements.
“And to all of the students out there that might be struggling in their studies,” Valencia said, “I just want to say, don’t give up.”
Editor’s Note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact The Weekly Sun at
news@theweeklysun.com.