Las Vegas-area student who graduated with 4.7 GPA selected as CCSD Star Graduate
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As high school graduation ceremonies are underway, educators at CCSD are celebrating high school students who made lasting impressions.
Kate Espinoza, 18, said she will miss the hallways of Desert Pines High School and the friendships she made there.
Like many students, she is a little scared about life decisions after graduation. She is not letting that get to her or taking any breaks.
“Low-key if I take a break, I might get too lazy,” Espinoza added.
Humor and dedication are what Espinoza needed to excel in school, so she did exactly that and was nominated as Desert Pines’ Star Graduate of 2024.
“It’s a really good opportunity!” she said.
Several “Star Grads” are selected across the Clark County School District. They are students who stand out for academic excellence or for overcoming the odds.
Espinoza was one of the thousands of students who didn’t attend school in-person during her freshman year because of the pandemic.
“I felt like that was already time wasted so when I got here sophomore year, I started with all the honor AP classes because I knew I wanted to get as high up,” Espinoza said.
She also ranked among top ten in her class, was senior class president, and was involved in National Honor Society and President of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Not to mention, she graduated with a 4.7 GPA.
“I think my motivation was my parents,” she said, adding, “I do it for myself obviously I want to succeed as well.”
She has proven she has what it takes to be a great leader.
“It’s really just like trying to build connections with the people around you,” Espinoza said.
She also stood up for diversity and inclusivity on campus.
“That’s important to me because if you can relate to the people that you’re a leader like obviously things are going to go a lot smoother,” she said.
The great leader she is, Espinoza leaves one lasting message to future high school students:
“You are not going to please everybody. Just keep going because I know there are times I wanted to quit, but had I quit, I wouldn’t be where I am at right now,” she said.
Espinoza was accepted to UNLV and UNR, and is still debating which one she will attend.
She thanks her teachers and counselors at Desert Pines for never giving up on her.
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