RHS student Janet Reyes was nominated by her school as Juan 97.3 fm’s Outstanding Female Latinx Student for RHS.
MILLVILLE — Ridgeline High School Senior Janet Reyes is leaving a lasting impression as she looks forward to the future.
“She is so resilient,” RHS Parent Liaison Maria Hunsaker said. “Nothing has been given to her and she has worked for everything she has.”
Hunsaker said one of the things that stands out about Reyes is her desire to learn and her ability to talk to teachers and ask for help.
According to Hunsaker, Reyes is always smiling and brings positivity to the people in her life.
“The one thing I love about Janet is she’s always got a smile,” Hunsaker said. “She could be having the toughest day at school and she will still be smiling.”
Although Reyes participates in many extracurricular activities at her school including wrestling (where she placed fourth in state) and band while also taking classes at Bridgerland Technical College, Hunsaker said teachers encourage Reyes to participate in multiple activities.
“Teachers want her to succeed, they want her to be on committees, they want her to be a part of things,” Hunsaker said. “Janet has a busy life and, you know, she works and she helps her family a lot and so, she isn’t always able to do these extra-curricular activities but it’s amazing to see how many teachers do want her to be a part of their groups.”
Reyes has been accepted to Utah State University and will be the first in her family to go to college as she continues her path to becoming a traveling nurse in the future.
Reyes said she was looking forward to going to USU for the environment and continuing the path to her dream.
“I have been hearing about it since I was like in seventh grade,” Reyes said. “It’s kind of a dream for me to go to college, to be the first person in my family to go to college.”
Reyes is the second oldest of seven siblings and she said her family is important to her and her biggest support system.
“My family for sure,” Reyes said. “My family’s always been there through everything, even my bad decisions. My mom has been my biggest fan and my dad.”
Reyes said there were two women in her life who inspired her and kept her pushing forward. She said her mom, Daisy Valdez, who has been her biggest fan and Hunsaker who has helped her at school.
The advice Reyes would give younger girls is to push their comfort zone and go for what they want.
“Just put yourself out there,” Reyes said. “It was scary for me when I moved there or like whenever I do anything it’s always so scary but I always say put yourself out there and hope for the best and whatever happens, happens.”