This month the PRT begins our series of profiles of the PUHS senior class of 2024. Look for more profiles of these talented and interesting young people in upcoming issues of the PRT.
Heaven Day
By William Botz
At Patagonia Union High School, Heaven Day is an exemplary student. She excels in every subject, and her favorite subjects in school are English and poetry. Her favorite teachers are Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. She serves as a Gear Up mentor, a National Honor Society member and president of the student government.
Growing up in Patagonia, Heaven has been involved in various community organizations, including the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center, Patagonia Community Church and Produce On Wheels in Sonoita. Her leadership abilities are unmatched, and she is a great example for her friends and peers.
Heaven has participated in many sports, including playing basketball, managing and playing volleyball, playing softball as a sophomore, and managing baseball last year. Practicing with her teammates is one of her favorite memories from high school, and the highlight of her years here is making it into regionals for basketball and volleyball.
Her plans for the future are to continue her studies at Pima Community College to get an associate’s degree and then transfer to a university to study pediatric medicine. Heaven has big dreams for her future: she wants to work as a pediatric physical therapist because she wants to help children.
Dante Nelson
By Chriselle Fajardo
Dante James Nelson grew up in Cheney and Spokane, Washington. He is an only child. At age 16, he traveled 1,571 miles with his mom, leaving his family and friends to move to Patagonia.
When he arrived he was not only faced with leaving his friends and family behind but also received a climate shock. Arizona’s heat was very different from Washington’s cold and rainy weather. Even though moving here wasn’t easy, Dante fell in love with the beautiful sunsets that Patagonia has to offer and is considering staying here in Arizona.
Dante doesn’t spend much time with school extracurricular activities because his music and video games keep him busy, but this year he was the soccer team’s manager. For the past two years, Dante has been taking fitness and weightlifting as an elective. He excels in this class and he would say it is the class he most looks forward to.
Dante is moving on to the next chapter of his life, saying goodbye to all the great memories in high school but preparing for the bright and successful future he has ahead.
Dante plans to work for Border Patrol. He is currently working on his application to secure a position.
Jenny Vasquez
By Aliyah Gallardo
The strong, independent Jenny Vasquez spends most of her free time on the ranch with her family and friends. Vasquez is inspired by her two older brothers, Jose and Julian Vasquez. She says they have been her biggest role models growing up and she looks up to them.
At school Jenny is an amazing athlete who is committed and works hard. During her time at PUHS, Jenny has participated in volleyball and basketball for four years, and softball for one year. She has been involved in FFA for two years, National Honors Society for three years, and has been a Gear Up mentor for one year.
Jenny’s favorite memories are when Mr. Hayes fell while playing in a basketball game during a pep rally her junior year, and going to the Williams tournament in basketball her senior year. Her high school highlight is winning Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Jenny’s favorite teachers are Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. She said, “Mr. Hayes has always pushed his students to do the best of their abilities, and helped everyone achieve their goals.” Mrs. Hayes is one of the sweetest teachers she ever had. “She was always there for all of her students and would do everything in her power to get us the best education, and opportunities,” Jenny said. Her favorite subjects are English and poetry.
Jenny’s plans for her future are to attend the University of Arizona and continue her studies. She imagines herself successful with a good job living out in the middle of nowhere on a little ranch with lots of dogs and her horse.
Her piece of advice for the underclassmen?
“Don’t take your time in high school for granted, join as many clubs and sports as possible, and have fun.”
Isaiah “Zay” Ruiz
By Jenny Vasquez
Growing up in Tucson, the cheerful and joyful Isaiah Ruiz is moving onto the next chapter of his life. As a little boy his whole world had been playing baseball and in a couple of months he will be playing his last game, left with memories, endless laughs and friendships.
When Isaiah first moved to Patagonia High School it didn’t take him long to realize he loved it. Immediately bringing joy and spirit to Patagonia, he was looked up to by many underclassmen.
As Isaiah is ready for the next big step in his life he has decided to continue his studies with Pima Community College and get a degree in Liberal Arts. This comes as no surprise for those who have known Isaiah. He has always been a very curious person, looking to help and communicate with others.
Isaiah says that a huge part of his motivation while attending high school, and his reason to keep going, has been his coach Mr. Porter. “Porter has always pushed me to do better and always believed in me,” he said. Isaiah said Mr. Porter is the reason he has a love for basketball and the reason he became a better player.
Isaiah has been a big part of Patagonia athletics. He has played soccer, basketball and baseball. He has been a big part of his team as team captain for both soccer and basketball. Isaiah has a way of encouraging others to keep going and to do better in everything they do by keeping his team in the game and determined to win. Outside of school, Isaiah enjoys doing activities that keep him in nature as well as keeping him in shape.
Isaiah is leaving a legacy at Patagonia Union High School where many students looked up to him and many teachers enjoyed his presence and determination in their classrooms. They look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in his future and wish him the best.
Andres Hoyos
By Edwin Ibarra
Andres Hoyos grew up in Patagonia. He is the man of the house, reserved and a hard worker. His favorite sport is basketball—he played all four years of high school. Andres likes to be out spending time with his friends. His time in school he liked clothes, shoes and to be well dressed.
The time Andres spent in the classroom he was very easy going and was well liked. He was good at keeping good grades and would stay focused on his work.
His favorite teachers were Mr. Mershon and Mr. Porter. They had the biggest impact on him but in different ways. Mr. Mershon helped him get better and learn things more in depth about welding. Mr. Porter helped Andres grow in basketball and enjoy it while also putting in hard work to get better.
He enjoyed his class of welding with Mr. Mershon. That was time well spent. Andres’s plans after high school is to go to UTI for welding and get certified. I am sure what Andres chooses to do he will be successful.
His friends were very close to him and he never failed to make any of them laugh.
His main role model and person he looks up to and admires is his mom. She was his main support system and he loves her deeply. She is a big role model for him because she is independent, hardworking, and she has always been there for him. There is no doubt that she will be there for him, motivating, encouraging, and supporting throughout his journey and UTI.
Tallen Simpson
Tallen Simpson enjoys riding his bike, fishing at Patagonia Lake, and going to rodeos. His plans next year are to continue being awesome!
Tallen’s favorite teachers are Mrs. Gortarez and Mrs. Marta and his favorite class is P.E.
One memory that Tallen will remember forever about his time at Patagonia High School is when he attended junior prom with his best friend, Shelby.
Tallen says the highlight of his high school years has been going to basketball games and cheering on the Lobos with his mom and all his friends.
In ten years Tallen imagines himself being a cowboy on a ranch. If he was to give one piece of advice to underclassmen it would be simply, to be happy.