Written by Loree Johnson
Photos by Rembrandt Photography
Two Rio Rico students have been selected for extraordinary opportunities: Angela Holman for the Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC) and Andrea Verdugo for Superintendent Kathy Hoffman’s Student Advisory Council.
Both students are enthusiastic and proud to represent RRHS.
Verdugo is “super happy and excited” to represent her community and eager to “share her voice” and hear the voices of others.
According to the Department of Education, the Student Advisory Council was created by Hoffman to “elevate the voices of students in Arizona.”
They will meet four times throughout the year to discuss a variety of topics from “curriculum and testing to school facilities and technology.”
Twenty students were chosen from grades 5 through 12 for the council.
Verdugo has many ideas to share including improving mental health and school lunches.
She has already demonstrated her exceptional leadership ability in the Dirty Birds Club, the Student Senate, and as class president both her freshman and sophomore years. She also plays basketball and softball.
RRHS math teacher Phillip Brown referred to Verdugo as a “fighter.”
“She has a warrior's spirit that she carries with her to the classroom. She takes academic risks and tries things that are scary. Because of that she is a great influence on other, more timid students. Andrea's attitude about herself and life are great and will take her a long way!”
Holman is very excited about her opportunity to serve on the Governor’s Youth Commission and has many ideas that she cannot wait to share.
She hopes to develop her leadership and communication skills because she wants to more effectively “communicate her thoughts” and understand the thoughts of others because better communication is “really needed in the world.”
According to the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, the GYC is “committed to empowering generations of civically engaged and service-oriented leaders to create a brighter future for Arizona.”
Holman will serve with 40 students-sophomores through seniors-from across Arizona on committees related to alcohol, drugs, mental health, and-the one that Holman has been assigned to-distracted driving.
Holman is currently president of Interact Club, Public Relations officer for FBLA and is involved in the Athletic Leadership Council and Cross Country/Track.
In addition, she is active in her community with the Girl Scouts, the fire station, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
RRHS CTE and Sports Medicine teacher Alexandra Hix is not surprised that Angela was chosen for the commission.
Hix and her family have known Angela since she was in elementary school.
She said that Holman “remains true to herself time and time again as a leader, helper, someone who is always giving an encouraging word, not to mention a great sense of humor.”
RRHS Principal Hector Estrada is very proud of both students.
He stated, “At Rio Rico High School our core values are to REP. We embody the notion of building relationships, fostering and working towards Excellence and having Pride in who we are, our community and school. Angela and Andrea are the epitome of our Core Values as model students and citizens. It's an absolute honor to have our students on these committees as the student voice of Rio Rico High School, SCV35 and the community of Santa Cruz County.”
Both students not only strive for excellence in high school but have high expectations after graduation.
Verdugo’s dream is to attend Michigan University to achieve a double major, one in biology and another in criminal justice. Ultimately, she would like to be either an optometrist or an FBI profiler.
Holman’s number one goal is to be accepted into the Air Force Academy, but she is also interested in either the University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University because of their excellent business/accounting programs.