May 17, 1998
	OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 760 Southern Arizona high school seniors triumph
	GOAL-ORIENTED Teens plan careers in medicine, music, media
	HELPING HANDS Service benefits AIDS patients, the environment, accident victims
Tucson Schools Academy High School Alt. Computerized Ed. Charter High School Another Chance at Education Alt. School Amphitheater High School AZ St. Schools for the Deaf and Blind Calli Ollin Academy Charter High School Canyon Del Oro High School Canyon Del Oro Alt. High School Catalina High Magnet School Catalina Foothills Alt. High School Catalina Foothills High School Cholla High Magnet School Desert Christian High School Desert View High School Flowing Wells High School Flowing Wells Inscape Alt. School Green Fields Country Day School Home Educators Howenstine High School Kino School Marana High School Marana PLUS Alternative School Mountain View High School PACE Alternative High School Palo Verde Christian School Palo Verde High Magnet School Program for Alternative Self Study Project More Opp. for Relevant Education PPEP TEC Charter High School Presidio School Pueblo High Magnet School Rincon High School Sabino High School Sahuaro High School Salpointe Catholic High School Santa Rita High School St. Gregory High School Southwest Alternative High School Sunnyside High School Sunnyside Alternative High School Teenage Parent Program (TAPP) Tucson High Magnet School Tucson Youth Devel. Alt. Ed. Program Abbey Loveland Tuller School University High School Vail Charter High School Southern Arizona Schools Ajo High School Baboquivari High School Benson Union High School Bisbee High School Bowie High School Buena High School Douglas High School Nogales High School Our Lady of Lourdes Cath. Col. Prep. H. S. Patagonia High School Sahuarita High School San Manuel High School San Simon High School St. David High School Vail High School Valley Union High School
Express Yourself The Arizona Daily Star scholarship recipients Commencement ceremonies Abbreviations

The world awaits Southern Arizona's senior class achievers as they embark on new territory in a university, college, trade school or job.

Their life experiences and the special people in their lives have helped them set new goals.

This year, The Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Newspapers initiated a scholarship program to help outstanding, unsung heroes accomplish their educational goals.

The following students will receive $1,000 for college:

Mario Barreda
Pueblo High Magnet School
In the top 50 of the class; artist; In-Step, two years with perfect attendance; and plans to attend PCC, majoring in computer graphics. ``Mario is a dedicated and exceptional young man with a lot of potential.''

Julian Olivares Jr.
Canyon Del Oro High School
``Junior assumed the position of `man of the house.' He juggled school, worked two jobs and the responsibilities of supervising younger siblings at home. Junior sacrificed his senior year in both football and wrestling to assist his family.'' He plans to attend college and major in business administration.

Bianca S. Valdez
Sunnyside High School
Big Brothers/Big Sisters volunteer; teaches children and cooks meals for homeless at her church; overcame depression, drug use and gang involvement; living on her own; works part time; and plans to attend PCC, majoring in nursing. ``Bianca is someone who has overcome many obstacles to make a difference in the school, community and our society.''

Marco Valente
Sunnyside High School
Honor roll; plays offense and defense on the football team; and plans to attend the UA majoring in criminal justice. ``A gang banger gone football player. He wanted to make the change. He went through the system. He didn't feel jail was worth it. . . . Marco had trouble leaving his gang. His house was shot at and his brother was threatened. When Marco found sports and schooling, he found his ticket out. He is a model student, athlete and fine person.''

Doug Wiggins
Desert View High School
Received a congressional art award, honorable mention for a pencil drawing of Jack Lemmon; basketball and football during his freshman, sophomore and junior years; built sets for school plays; and plans to attend the UA, majoring in art. Doug says, ``Art means everything to me. It makes me happy. It has taught me patience, which has helped me deal in day-to-day situations. It has taught me not to give up, but to do the best I can in everything I do.''