“Looking back, it’s really fast, the four years of high school,” said Nicholas “Nick” Young, Salutatorian of the PUHS Class of 2025. “I was nervous at first, but everybody here is so welcoming, and my friends here bonded quickly. Now I couldn’t imagine my life without them.”
Nick said that the best part of high school aside from his friends was his teachers. “They are all amazing—it’s hard to name favorites because they’re all so good,” he said. “The teachers here are better than many college professors.”
Nick graduates with 32 credits while the average is closer to 28. The dual credit courses he took which apply to both high and college resulted in his 32 credits. While at PUHS he also played baseball for four years; served as the basketball team manager for one year; participated in Skills USA, the automotive and welding club which engages in competitions; and was treasurer of Student Government.
Nick plans to take courses at Pima College this summer to put him further ahead in his educational quest. He’s bound for the U of A in the fall, expecting to major in agribusiness management. He is grateful to have scholarships to support him and a family home close to the U of A where he can live. “I like to cook,” he said, ”but it will be a challenge because my mom does most of that at home.”
Nick has fond memories of growing up in Sonoita.
“We have lots of animals at home, three dogs, a ton of chickens, three horses, a rabbit and a tortoise,” he said. “Ours is the house in Sonoita with the Slip n’ Slide where a lot of kids come to have a great time.” Nick has two younger brothers with friends who also come to enjoy the slide when it is set up.
Nick enjoyed attending the Elgin School. “Who doesn’t love their elementary school teachers?” he asked.
The Senior Walk around the school, graduation parade, graduation itself followed by celebrations at friends’ homes, and the Kickball Tournament between all four classes at PUHS provided many happy memories for Nick.
His last advice to younger PUHS students? “Don’t procrastinate on your work,” he said. “Enjoy high school! It goes by really quickly.”