College : Fresno City College Career goal : Teacher

About Melanie : Melanie Yanez is very proud to have graduated from Cambridge High School and is excited to start the journey toward her dream of becoming an elementary or high school teacher . She is already getting a preview of the role , as an afterschool program teacher at Ayer Elementary School . Outside of the classroom , Melanie ’ s passion is taking care of animals and riding horses .

She says her family has been a huge source of support throughout her educational journey , but she also found mentorship and guidance in Cambridge student resource officer Yvette Rodriguez and janitor Mirna Salazar , who befriended and looked out for her . Melanie said they encouraged her to stay out of trouble and keep on track . “ They have impacted me to do better in life and to always attend and have good grades ,” Melanie said . Melanie said she ’ s happy to know people outside her family care about her , and she feels special to have been part of a school where the staff made her feel welcomed every day .

Melanie dreams of success , so her parents can retire , and as the youngest of four children , she hopes to make them proud .

In Melanie ’ s words : “ My motivation in life is making my dreams come true and making my family proud of their last child in high school .”

From Jose Perez , Cambridge High School counselor : “ What a wonderful young lady Melanie has become . She is extremely humble and has a great internal light that all staff can see . She always has a smile on her face and always says ‘ good morning ’. You ask her to do something , and she always says ‘ yes ’. She is just a great kid . She is the reason I come to work . She is a superstar .”

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