If senior Jailey Tijerina is a representative of the future, I have no fears. A go-getter in all aspects of her life, she manages to do it all – and do it well. A participant in the JumpStart program, she as accumulated 30 credits and an impressive 5.25 GPA. And that doesn’t count the credits she will earn as a senior.

“Joining JumpStart was the scariest decision I’ve made,” Tijerina said. “My thoughts raced with all of the worst-case scenarios: not being able to keep up, damaging my transcript and missing out on the ‘true’ high school experience.” However, what developed was a kinship with other Jump Start students that she hadn’t anticipated. “The JumpStart class was an extraordinary mix of people,” she said. “Every single person made the class memorable because, despite their differences, they all helped each other get to the next level.”

While Jailey was taking college-level classes through JumpStart, she also challenged herself by taking honors and AP classes at CHS. She focused her coursework on the Agricultural/Animal Science CTE program and joined the FFA (Future Farmers of America) club. Her dream is to become a veterinarian, so she began working with a local veterinarian. She started as a kennel technician, which taught her about animal behavior and appropriate animal interactions.

“I’ve learned how to handle higher-strung animals, and those who are nervous, without harming others, myself or the animal,” she said. She was promoted to a veterinary assistant where she said she could hone her technical abilities. “I’m learning new things every day in the industry I want to work in.”

To become a veterinarian, she will have a lot of school ahead of her: four years of undergraduate study, experience working in a veterinary-adjacent field, and then four years of veterinary school. Jailey knows it will be challenging, but she said she’s learned ways to manage her stress and balance academics with other areas of her life. And the Jump Start program has helped her prepare for a rigorous academic career.

“This transition as a high school student has prepared me for the future of my schooling while also teaching me important skills like time management, adaptability and communication,” she said. “This higher standard has helped me to grow as a person and develop skills that will be useful not only academically, but also professionally.”

With Christmas break just around the corner, what will Jailey do with a little time off? “I will most likely spend it doing activities I enjoy such as spending time with friends and family, going on a nature trail … baking, volunteering and doing other activities,” she said. “I’d take the opportunity to renew myself. And restart without thinking about what I need to do next.”

Congratulations Jailey for being named Senior in the Spotlight and for being such a shining example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.

All students named as a weekly Senior Spotlight are featured at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Carson City. Jailey Tijerina will be recognized at the Jan. 7, 2024 Rotary Meeting. The Rotary Club of Carson City is a vibrant and dedicated group of professionals and community leaders committed to making a positive impact. The club welcomes individuals who are passionate about service and enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth, networking and fellowship.