This month the PRT continues a series of autobiographical profiles of the PUHS senior class of 2019.
Victor Barajas
I have attended school at Patagonia Public Schools since 1st grade and grown up with most of my classmates. Sports pretty much dominated my high school years. I played basketball all four years, soccer and football for two years. I also played tennis, cross country and baseball each for one year. I was my class representative in Student Council for three years and class president my junior year.
My favorite subject is English and it has always been the easiest subject for me. Math is a challenge for me. Outside of school I like to hang out with my friends and play basketball. The best thing that happened to me during high school was getting elected the basketball team Captain my sophomore year. The worst thing was getting my ear gauge caught on the basketball net and ripped out during a summer league game. It was a bloody mess and I ended up getting 12 stitches.
After high school I want to attend college, hopefully on a basketball scholarship. I have been accepted at Benedictine University. I eventually want to become a physical therapist and stay involved with sports.
At school and through basketball – on and off the court – Mr. Hayes has been a big influence in my life. Both Mr. Hayes and Mrs. Hayes are my favorite teachers. They make sure you understand the subject and they make time to work with their students. They are both easy going unless you make them mad. Then they get serious.
The hardest lesson I learned in high school is that no matter what happens, always be friends with everyone, including the teachers. Patagonia is a small school and you have to get along with everyone.
Hopefully, my friends would say that I am a team player, funny, and that I am driven.
Yasmin Quiroga
I have lived in Patagonia my whole life and have attended Patagonia Schools since I was a child. During high school, I was involved in 4-H for three years and raised market goats. I also played Varsity Basketball and Volleyball for three years. Like many of us at PUHS, I have also participated in several plays and musicals as part of our drama program. I also worked at Borderlands Restoration with the BECY program for three years and really liked it. Outside of school, I like to hang out with my friends and be with my family. I also love being outside, hiking and enjoying the beautiful environment around us.
My favorite subject is English because Mrs. Hayes always knows how the keep the class fun. After high school I plan on going to Pima Community College to get all my pre-requisite classes done. After that, I want to move to Oregon and study to become a pediatrician. The most surprising thing about high school is that it is a lot like middle school but with much more drama! The hardest thing about high school was getting to know myself and to learn what kind of person I am.
The best thing that ever happened to me was being raised by my grandparents. My Nana has definitely had the biggest influence on my life. She is the most strong-willed, kindest lady I have ever met. She is my role model and I aspire to be like her.
If I could change one thing about the world it would be the change how much hate there is. If we could eliminate all the hate, I think we could solve more of our problems. The hardest but best lesson that I learned in high school is that the one person you can always count on is yourself.
I would describe myself as a kind and genuine person and I hope my friends would agree. I think I can add that they would also call me trustworthy and a good listener; a true “Bister.”
Jesus Vasquez
I came to Patagonia Schools in the beginning of my sophomore year. I have been an active member and the chapter Sentinel for the Patagonia FFA. I also played football, baseball and basketball for two years and soccer for one year. Last year, I was captain of the basketball, the baseball and the soccer team. I was named the Regional Best Defensive Player for basketball last year. It was an honor to represent my school and be recognized for my hard work.
It surprised me that high school went so fast and that it was a little more complicated than I thought it would be. As an English learner it was sometimes hard for me to get my point across to my fellow peers and teachers. In my spare time, I like to rope and work on the ranch with my brothers.
The best thing that happened to me was Winning Athlete of the Year. Also, going to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis with my chapter was amazing because I got to travel across the country and see the President speak at the convention. The worst thing that happened to me was getting knocked unconscious during a football game and being airlifted off the field.
Ag teacher Amanda Zamudio, and Counselor Michael Young have had a big influence on my education. They have always supported me and taught me not to give up. My favorite class has been Ag Science because ranching plays a large part of my life. Amanda is an amazing teacher and has helped me really understand the industry.
The biggest influence on my life has been my parents who are constantly pushing me to do great in life. Next year, I am attending Central Arizona College to study equine management and then transfer to the U of A to complete an animal science degree. I want to return to the ranch and pursue my passion with animal husbandry. I think my friends would describe me as chunky and funny.
Megan Muller
My name is Megan Muller. I played tennis and volleyball during my freshman year. Although I did not play very long, both sports taught me how to be a team player. My favorite subject is English because Mrs. Hayes has taught me how to be a better writer. I like to draw in my spare time, but I also do love going for walks in nature and helping out others if they need it.
My plans after high school are to move to Sierra Vista area, attend Cochise College and become an orthodontist assistant. Nothing surprised me more about high school than how welcoming the people are at Patagonia. The biggest challenge I had was starting my senior year only a week after my mom died. It was hard for me to deal with that but luckily I had my friends by my side.
The best thing for me this year was spending time with my friends and classmates one more year until we graduate. The worst thing that happened to me was dealing with the stress of being a senior, maintaining my grades and trying to get into college.
If I could change one thing about the world I would like everyone in the world to spread peace and love. My biggest influence would be my grandparents and my older sister. My grandparents taught me how to be myself and to love myself. They taught me many valuable life lessons that I will take to heart. My sister taught me pretty much the same things and is my best friend and someone whom I can talk to. My favorite teachers are Mrs. Hayes and Mr. Melanson because both of them have believed in me when I doubted myself. I am grateful to both of them. The hardest lesson for me to learn was to love myself. My best quality is my heart. My friends would describe me as kind hearted, caring and optimistic.