Carol Alavedra (Navarro)

Carol graduated early this year from the self-paced Navarro Academy with a diploma under the Distinguished Achievement Program – the highest diploma a student can earn and the only student at the school to earn this diploma in the past few years.

Eager to start her college career, she will begin taking courses at Palo Alto College this summer, working toward an associate degree. Already, she has accumulated 32 college-credit hours from San Antonio College through the dual-credit program. She plans to transfer to a university afterward and eventually earn a master’s degree in social work.

Carol considers graduating early with the Distinguished diploma, the highest diploma a student can earn, her biggest accomplishment during her high school career.

She feels well-prepared for college thanks to the services and support she received through the GEAR UP college-readiness program, Café College and the materials and courses she took through the College Board. GEAR UP provided Carol with important college-related information, as well as with opportunities for many college field trips and college events and exposure.

Carol was involved in a number of extracurricular activities, including Art Club, Student Council (vice president), Girls Health Club, SAISD School Board Advisory Committee and the Film Club, among others.

Carol enjoys helping others and particularly enjoyed her volunteer experience at Seton Home, a residential facility that provides housing and supportive services for homeless, abused, pregnant and/or parenting teens and their children. She mentored some of the moms and tutored them with their high school work.

Carol wants to serve as a role model and plans to make a difference in the world by becoming a social worker and volunteering as a mentor in her community.