EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series from now until Graduation Day, of outstanding Cache Valley high school seniors. The graduates were selected by high school administrators.
In eighth grade, Emily Solano Pineda wrote a letter to her future self. She wrote about her goals of getting into a good college, wanting to play lacrosse and wanting to become a lawyer.
Four years later, a month away from graduating from Mountain Crest High School, Solano Pineda has been accepted to her dream school, the University of Utah, though her career goals have changed slightly since eighth grade.
She is nearing the end of the Medical Assistant program at Bridgerland Technical College and juggles her course work with her responsibilities as captain of the girl’s lacrosse team.
She said before reading the letter, she was feeling some doubts about whether she was going in the right direction as she approached the end of her senior year, but it reassured her.
“I was a little insecure in eighth grade, and I wrote that I just want to love myself, I hope I love myself by then,” Solano Pineda said of the letter. “And I do. I really enjoy what I’m doing, I’m happy. I’m content with my life right now.”
Mountain Crest Counselor Amy Nielson described Solano Pineda as a hard worker.
“Emily is an amazing student and an even better person,” Nielson said. “Emily is always so friendly. I’m not aware of anyone who has ever said anything negative about Emily.”
Nielson also described her as a great leader for her lacrosse team.
Solano Pineda started playing lacrosse her freshman year because her older sister played. She said she loves the sport, and loves being a team captain this year, though her classes at BTECH sometimes conflict with the practices.
Solano Pineda started the Medical Assisting program last summer.
“I’m not going to lie, it was hard, especially when high school started and I was doing both,” Solano Pineda said. “I was very stressed and overwhelmed, and I got behind.”
But after speaking with her instructors, she found a rhythm and pushed herself to catch up, even getting ahead. She said she loves medical assisting, particularly the hands-on work.
After completing the Medical Assisting program, Solano Pineda said she plans to study nursing at the University of Utah.
She said she has always wanted to help people, and although she knows it will be hard and a lot of school, she is motivated knowing she will be doing something she loves.
She said she is excited to graduate, if a bit nervous to be moving away from her family.
She said she enjoyed high school and is glad she put herself out there by joining the team and participating in school events.
“I know I’ll look back on these years and be glad I did what I did,” Solano Pineda said.
Mountain Crest High School’s graduation is scheduled for May 28.
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