By Bridget Gordon-Johnson, CHS Counselor Ana Marroquin is a beacon of excellence at Carson High School, radiating a unique sparkle that ignites from within. With a remarkable GPA of 4.9 and a ranking of 9th in her class of more than 500 students, Ana's academic achievements are only the beginning of her story. Her fierce determination, sharp sense of humor and unwavering commitment to service make her a standout student and a cherished member of our school community. Ana often refers to herself as "a minority within a minority," and understanding this is key to appreciating her journey. Although Carson High School's student body is 54% Latinx, Ana is one of only a handful of Guatemalan students at the school. Her parents sacrificed much in order to support Ana’s education and future, and they are always in her corner cheering her on. Ana has spent much of the last four years preparing herself for college and scholarship applications. This year, Ana is a qualified candidate for the Questbridge college application process, a national program to help high-achieving students connect to top universities. Recently, she earned a full ride fly-in opportunity to visit Swathmore in Pennsylvania. As a first-generation student, Ana has excelled in every aspect of her high school career. She has taken numerous AP courses, scoring 3 or higher on all of them, and serves as the president of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club. In addition to her academic and extracurricular commitments, and perhaps most importantly, Ana has found her voice as an advocate for others. Through her leadership in HOSA, she has worked to ensure that other Latinx students have access to leadership opportunities, and she has pushed for improved equity practices in her AP classes. Ana Marroquin is not just an exceptional student; she is a young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field, and she hopes to receive a scholarship to one of her dream schools (Stanford, hope you’re listening!) Her resilience, compassion and drive make her a true inspiration. We are confident that Ana will continue to achieve great things, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in the world. Ana is a product of the Carson City School District and hopes to return to her elementary school, Mark Twain Elementary, to talk about the importance of goals and the future. — All students named as a weekly Senior Spotlight are featured at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Carson City. 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.