SAN BENITO — Naydelin Garza Jimenez, 18, always has the drive to do her best at anything and everything she sets her mind to.
Whether it’s being the president of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, participating in the decathlon and the astronomy club, competing in UIL or playing music with the marching band, she made sure to give it her all.
Based on her latest accomplishment, it’s clear that this senior’s determination to excel has been successful.
Naydelin was named salutatorian of San Benito High School’s graduating Class of 2021.
“I’m pretty proud of myself for achieving this. It feels really great,” Naydelin said. “I thank everyone who helped me get to where I am today.”
For Naydelin, becoming a student at the top of her class was something she felt a bit surprised about.
“Academics themselves can be pretty stressful so I guess that was the challenging part and also balancing my time between my social life and my academic life,” she said. “I’ve always tried to do my best in academics, but I was pretty surprised that I ended up this far up. That’s where hard work gets you.”
Naydelin will attend the University of North Texas in the fall and will double major in ecology and political science.
“I started opening up to the idea of politics and I really believe that we need more people in this world who care about our planet. You rarely see that side of politics,” she said. “It’s all talk, no do, and I really want to help make a difference in that aspect.”
Naydelin describes herself as someone who is a little competitive and especially likes to compete with her own progress.
Needing to be better today than she was yesterday is something she often reminds herself.
“After college, I would like to run for office someday in Texas and maybe for Congress, eventually,” Naydelin said. “It’s a big dream, but you never know.”
Naydelin’s role model is her older sister, Neidy.
“She graduated three years ago from here and she was ranked eighth,” Naydelin said. “I look up to everything she’s done. She really set the path for me.”
Advice Naydelin would give to other students who are aiming to be at the top of their class is to push through every moment.
“Focus on what you’re doing and don’t sacrifice absolutely everything for your academics,” Naydelin said. “It will come naturally to you. Good luck to everyone else who’s trying to get to the top of their class. You’ll do great.”
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