Jessica will attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in interior design.
How have SAISD schools shaped you into the person you are today?
My entire education has pretty much been on the west side. I went to Barkley Ruiz, then I went to Tafolla, then I came to Lanier. I think it’s definitely given me a sense of community because when I was in elementary, most of my family had gone to Jefferson. Then as I got older, I ended up choosing Lanier because there were adults and coaches that I knew would be there for me throughout the whole process and that sense of community really helped me decide where I wanted to go.
I also chose Lanier because of their architecture pathway so that’s what I’m in right now. I’m really good at math and I like art. I plan to pursue a major in interior design at the University of Texas at Austin.
What is the greatest challenge you have overcome during your education?
Coming from a single parent household. My sister and I are two years apart. She went to Edison in the medical program, so we had to juggle between schools. We both played volleyball, basketball, and then I ran track and cross country.
I know my mom had to deal with driving us to school and driving us to practice and just time management in general.
My mom was never able to go to college, so she had to work extra hard to get to the position she has. All her coworkers are half her age just because they have a degree. So I know that pursuing education is important because it opens up more opportunities.