PUHS salutatorian Elizabeth (Lizzy) Urias will be attending Newman University, a private Catholic college in Wichita, Kansas to study ultrasonography, leading to a career as a sonographer, working with ultrasound equipment. She also hopes to be a walk-on member of the college basketball team.
During her four years at PUHS Lizzy participated in student government, National Honor Society, four years of volleyball and basketball and three years of softball. She was a student docent at the Patagonia Museum during her junior year and enjoys working at the Gathering Grounds restaurant in Patagonia.
Lizzy attended Patagonia Elementary School in one of the last classes to graduate from ‘Old Main’ school. In grade school she was “happiest being with friends.” She has three older siblings and two younger siblings. “I have learned more from my siblings than from anyone else,” she said. She lives in Patagonia with her parents, Juan Urias and Shelly Lemon, and enjoys having many other family members in the community.
“PUHS is unique as a high school,” said Lizzy, “because it offers dual credit (both high school and college) classes. We are a close-knit class. There are not separate groups, and everyone is included. My happiest memories are of sports, especially volleyball and basketball. PUHS hadn’t been to the Regionals in a while, so it was exciting for us to make it there.”
Lizzy chose Newman in Kansas for several reasons. She wanted to see more of the US but didn’t want to be too far from her family in Patagonia. Both her parents had graduated from Newman University and enjoyed it. Best of all, her grandparents own a dairy farm close by, and Lizzy will live with them while attending Newman. She is a “little nervous about leaving home, but mostly excited,” she said. “I might be able to take my cat with me. I don’t know if I can be without her.” Lizzy will definitely be home for Christmas.
Lizzy gave a “big thank you to the Patagonia community for its support of school sports and events. Special thanks to the whole school community, the Patagonia Museum, the Gathering Grounds, and the Creative Arts Center, especially Director Cassina Farley. I especially thank my family and friends for their constant love and support.”
“Lizzy is a great student and has been a school leader since she was a freshman,” PUHS teacher and athletic director Nate Porter said. “ I have no doubt she will be successful in whatever she sets her mind to.”