Senior Marlene Gutierrez has worked hard throughout high school, and she has the finish line in her sights. She plans to graduate in white in June. 

For Gutierrez, staying motivated was the hardest thing. Even the thought of giving up crossed her mind, but she knew that she had to keep pushing to make it count. 

“It would overwhelm me to the point of tears,” she said of her heavy course load. “Sometimes when things get hard and all I want to do is give up, I remind myself that I’m not just doing this for me, but for the people who came before me,” Gutierrez added.

As a child of Mexican parents who fought for their dreams and struggled to accomplish them, Gutierrez has dedicated herself to making her mother proud. Her mom has always been her biggest cheerleader and has motivated her to keep going no matter what. “Her efforts weren’t in vain,” the younger Gutierrez said. 

Gutierrez also credits supportive educators like Ms. Perrance, her AP Microeconomics teacher. She said Ms. Perrance provides her with support and motivation. 

“She’s super enthusiastic,” Ms. Perrance said of Gutierrez. Adding, “She’s awesome, she really is. She’s a great student,” 

Gutierrez has big plans for her future. She wants to attend the University of Chicago, and become a pediatric nurse. She hopes to make a difference in the world of healthcare, and wants to save the lives of children in need. 

Gutierrez also plans to adopt children in the future. 

“I want my own little family and I also want to love little kids who didn’t have the opportunity to have a family of their own,” she said. 

When asked what advice she has for underclassmen, Gutierrez’s focus is on the high school experience. 

“Make memories, make mistakes, and hang out with your friends because after high school, it will never be the same,” she explains. “There is a big world out there with hundreds of decisions. Don’t squander the chance to enjoy [high school] while you still can.”