Young women have big dreams for the future

SAN BENITO — The only difference between this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian is where they rank in their senior class.

Yes, one is ranked number one and the other is ranked number two at San Benito High School. But that’s where the difference ends.

These two young women, Valedictorian Larisa Marie Garcia and Salutatorian Ileen Jade Montemayor, are graduating tomorrow along with what is being considered San Benito’s biggest graduating senior class of all time.

Being named the top two students is a giant accomplishment. To be in these positions they had to start early.

You can’t just decide you want to rise to the rank of number one or number two at the start of senior year. It’s a process that has to start your

freshman year.

Not only did they have to make the grades, but they had to get involved in school.

Larisa played varsity volleyball all four years of high school and was awarded the District 32-6A Libero of the Year and 1st Team All-Valley honor as a senior.

That, she said, was one of the highlights of her senior year.

Through the journey she had the love and support of her parents. That inspired her.

“My parents inspire me because I see everything they do for my family and all the sacrifices they have made to give me the best life,” Larisa said.

In addition to sports, she was involved in many clubs, including serving as vice president of the National Technical Honor Society, chairman of the National Honor Society and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa and the Science National Honor Society.

Ten years from now, Larisa hopes to obtain a medical degree. She’s not sure about which specialty, but she hopes to help people every day.

“I like the idea of working in a hospital. It’s where the action is and you see different cases and different people every day,” Larisa said.

Both young women have big dreams for the future and are determined to succeed — just like they did during their high school careers.

Ileen is involved in several community service clubs, currently serving as the president of Leo Club, parliamentarian of Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, treasurer of the National Science Honor Society and a member of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.

Like Larisa, Ileen had the major support of her family. The bright young student is close to her mom and dad, who she said never wavered in their kindness and commitment to her family.

She credits her younger sisters for their optimism and resilience.

Ileen also serves as the secretary of Business Professionals of America: Chapter 2, where she advanced to the national level in the Legal Office Procedures competition.

She has been named a National Hispanic Scholar as well as an Advanced Placement Scholar, having passed the Advanced Placement Spanish, U.S. History and English tests.

Ileen has earned 48 college credit hours through dual enrollment classes and more than 24 college credit hours through Advanced Placement exams.

She is also a Superintendent’s Hi-Five honoree, having remained in the top 5 percent of her class each semester since her freshman year.

In the future, after obtaining her law degree, Ileen plans to come to the area and open her own law firm. She plans to specialize in areas such as immigration law, real estate law, defense law, tax law, family law and more.

However much knowledge they gained in high school, there are some lessons the girls will take away from their time in San Benito.

  • The most successful people are not the most talented but the ones who work the hardest to achieve their goals.
  • Parents only want the best for you, even if it may not always seem like it.
  • Don’t waste time stressing over things you can’t change or control.
  • Hard work yields success.
  • Don’t let others bring you down.
  • Help others spread kindness.
  • Surround yourself with those that bring you happiness.

Larisa Marie Garcia

Age: 17

Parents — Lisa and Lee Garcia

Favorite Book — I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can, by Barbara Gordon

Favorite Movie — Crazy, Stupid, Love

Favorite Color — Blue

Favorite subject in high school — Math

If you could spend the day with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

My aunt Monica. She loves to spoil me and there is never a dull moment when I am around her.

What will you miss most about high school?

Eating lunch with my friends and playing sports.

Where will you be

attending college? Why did you choose that school or what drew you to that school in particular?

UTRGV has given me a full scholarship. They also have an excellent biomedical program.

What will you study in college? Why that subject or field of study?

Biomedical Science. I hope to become a doctor one day.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

I hope to have my bachelor of science in Biomedical Science and be attending graduate school to continue my education.

Ileen Jade Montemayor

Age: 18

Parents — Carlos and Maria Montemayor

Favorite Book — The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Favorite Movie — Guardians of the Galaxy

Favorite Color — Blue

Favorite subject in high school — Advanced Placement Biology

If you could spend the day with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

My parents. I love them and spending time with them is when I am most happy.

What will you miss most about high school?

I will miss hanging out and talking with my friends. I will also miss my teachers. Sometimes I would go to their class for fun to talk to them.

Where will you be attending college? Why did you choose that school or what drew you to that school in particular?

The University of Texas San Antonio. I’ve always pictured myself going to a university in San Antonio. I got a full ride scholarship from UTSA. Once I got that it was not even a choice, I was going. The feel of the city draws me.

— Her full-ride scholarship worth over $110,000 also includes study-abroad opportunities.

What will you study in college? Why that subject or field of study?

Political Science, Law and Business. I want to become a lawyer.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

I see myself in law school working toward my Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree.