Senior Spotlight — Niyda Pancho 

Niyda Pancho will attend the University of Houston where she plans to become a doctor to help people and make an impact in their lives.

Pancho is grateful to her mother, grandmother and aunt who motivate her every day to achieve her academic success. She is the first member of her family to go to college.

“I really didn’t know that I was considered first generation until this year, but now I feel like I’m doing something good for my family,” she said.

Pancho is happy to have found her place at Heights High School and she is sure that all her high school experiences will help her in her future, thanks to the school activities in which she has been involved.

“I have participated in the school band since middle school, student council, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) and some others,” said Pancho.

When Pancho started high school, she was very shy, but with the support from her mom, she dared to participate in activities outside of her comfort zone and now she is happy that she was able to have those experiences.

“My mom almost forced me to enter JROTC because I didn’t want to at first, but I ended up liking it. I can thank her for that now,” Pancho said.

What she enjoys most about JROTC is that it feels like family, and has helped her come out of her shell, giving her the opportunity to work on her leadership skills.

“Sergeant Yeager has helped me a lot and motivated me to do things I didn’t know I could do,” said Pancho.  

“For future students I would say to try things that are outside of your comfort zone, maybe you will discover a new interest or passion,” Pancho said.