Rooted in Community
Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
Senior Spotlight: Helmayoni Torres Santos, Alvarez Valedictorian
As graduation approaches, Helmayoni Torres Santos’ eyes are set firmly on the future. This fall, the Alvarez High School Valedictorian will be attending the University of Rhode Island (URI) to major in civil engineering.
"My path to engineering feels deeply personal. I’ve always been a math person—numbers just make sense to me," she explained. "But my inspiration goes back to my roots. My father was an engineer in the Dominican Republic, and growing up, I loved being around construction sites and seeing exactly how things are built from the ground up."
Choosing civil engineering felt like the perfect way to combine her natural love for math with that family legacy.
The college process itself was a lesson in reality and compromise. Helmayoni applied to several universities, both in-state and out-of-state. She actually got accepted into the University of Connecticut (UConn), and she really, really wanted to go there. However, out-of-state tuition is incredibly expensive. When the financial packages came back, URI offered much better aid. UConn was just a little bit out of my budget, so Helmayoni made the practical choice. URI is the perfect fit for her financially and academically, and she’s “excited to become a Ram.”
Outside of the classroom, Helmayoni’s life has been shaped by community and connection. For a long time, she was heavily involved with the Boys and Girls Club, working as a youth assistant at both the Fox Point and South Side locations. She loved spending time with the kids—reading to them, creating little lessons, and putting together fun activities to keep them engaged.
That experience gave her more than just fulfillment; it opened doors. It was actually the connections I made through the Boys and Girls Club that landed her an interview at Old Navy. I got the job, and I’ve been working there ever since, balancing my schoolwork, community service, and a retail job.
If she could pass down any wisdom to the freshmen stepping through the doors of Alvarez High for the first time, it would be this: change your mindset before you walk through the door.
"Don't come to school dreading it. I feel like a lot of people wake up and step into school with such a negative mindset that it holds them back. If you put yourself in a bad mood before you even step through those doors, you lose all motivation."
Just show up, keep a positive attitude, and let yourself learn.
Senior Spotlight: Emma Garcia, Alvarez Salutatorian
For Salutatorian Emma Garcia, what drew her to the school was it’s specialized Health and Health Care Nursing program. Emma will be attending University of Rhode Island (URI) in the fall
Her first year at Alvarez came with challenges, prompting her to consider transferring to a different school early on. Recognizing the immense value of the hands-on education she was receiving, she ultimately chose to stay and her determination paid off as she graduates second in her class with her eyes fixed on a long-term dream: majoring in biology, navigating medical school, and ultimately becoming a pediatrician.
Emma’s high school career was defined by a relentless work ethic, balancing academics with an intense lineup of extracurricular activities. For all four years of high school, Emma was a dedicated multi-sport athlete, competing in Track, Cross-country, and Basketball.
During the summers, she poured energy into the community by working at the local Boys and Girls Club. Meanwhile, the rigorous nursing program at Alvarez placed Emma on a professional track early. She successfully earned a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license and is already working in the field, gaining invaluable clinical experience before even setting foot on a college campus.
Reflecting on the lessons learned over the last four years, Emma believes that mindset and grit matter far more than innate talent.
"You don't have to be the smartest. Even the person that some people call the class clown—they're smarter than almost everyone. Don't be isolated. It comes down to dedication and determination. You can be the slowest person and still make it, depending on how hard you go at it, how much you want it, and if you're willing to find the work for it."