After four long years of dedicated hard work, long late nights, and memories that are unforgettable, Marlene Rojas Renteria (‘25) is preparing to walk the stage and make history by becoming the first person in her family to graduate and go to college. From being editor-in-chief in Journalism to writing a strong Senior Research Paper, she has made her mark at school. Now she’s off to begin a new chapter of her life studying nursing at Chico State University.
What advice would you give to a freshman just starting out?
“Some advice I would give to freshmen is to approach everything with an open mind. Not everything is supposed to go according to plan and sometimes life will throw a curveball at you just because it can. Be open to changing your mind and learn that it’s okay to not be sure of something.”
If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?
“If I was given the opportunity to go back and change one thing about my high school career, it would probably be to put myself out there more. While I consider myself to be an extrovert, I wish that I put that to use and joined more clubs and participated in events that forced me out of my comfort zone.”
What was your favorite part of high school?
“My favorite part of high school was honestly just the experience of being a high schooler. I am the first in my family to graduate so I’ve always felt extremely grateful for being in high school. While [at] the moment, the homework and stress may not have been fun, I look back as a senior and I know that it was all worth this moment. Going to a high school like Preuss has definitely shaped and influenced me a lot more than I thought it would’ve, and that will forever be my favorite aspect of being a Preuss alumni.”
What class did you like the most, and why?
“The class I liked the most was Senior Research. While this class did make me the most stressed and had me pull an insane amount of all-nighters, I am really proud of the work I produced in the end. Research is a wheel class for seniors in which they have to write a research paper on their chosen topic. This will then be presented in their Senior Exhibition (which we have to pass in order to graduate).”
Other seniors may not agree, but I liked the aspect of choosing a topic on something that is important to you and getting to teach others about it. The topic was on Technology and Autism, and how technology can help with social development. I poured my all into this paper and I think that it shows based on the feedback given to me and my final grade. It was a lot of work and I had to sacrifice time for other classes. Additionally, I left the class feeling insanely prepared to present this at my Senior Exhibition. I have achieved a lot during my high school career, but I think that my research paper is the achievement I will value the most.
What’s something you’re really proud of doing in high school?
“Something I’m really proud of doing is taking on a leadership role in Journalism. I’ve never attempted to do anything like that before, so being Co-Editor in Chief really forced me out of my comfort zone. Regardless, I’m really proud of the opportunity and it has inspired me to be more assertive and sure of myself. I think being Co-Editor in Chief has also helped me with presentations, which comes in very handy during your Senior year.”
What keeps you motivated when things get tough?
“I find that just knowing that everyone is under stress keeps me motivated. Usually, when I begin to feel overwhelmed, I feel guilty that I can’t handle the stress which leads to dissociation or distancing myself. However, I learned that somewhere, someone is also having a hard time. Being a senior, I’m aware that a lot of my peers are going through the same things and feel the same way, so knowing that I’m not alone makes me feel like it’s okay to need a breather. If my friends who are also experiencing being a senior can keep going, then so can I.”
What are you most excited or nervous about after high school?
“I am most excited about my new-gained independence. As cliche as it sounds, I consider myself to be a huge family person. A lot of my confidence and drive stem from wanting to make my family proud, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I sometimes wish I did things for myself. Going off to college, being away from home, I think will let me explore who I am without my family and I am excited about the type of person I will become. As for what makes me the most nervous, ironically, being away from home. A big part of my identity comes from my family, and I find it difficult to even think about being away from them.”
Is there a quote, lyric, or saying that means a lot to you?
“A piece of lyric that means a lot to me is ‘There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait,’ from the musical Hamilton (I’m a big musical theater nerd). I think this captures exactly how every first-generation high school graduate should feel. This lyric isn’t just about ambition, but also potential. While I’m still evolving and learning, I continue to reach for everything that I haven’t done…yet.”
As Marlene gets ready to go on stage and go on to a new part of her life, her story displays the hard work, and love of family that can bring you, she has created history by being the first in her family to go to college. And now, chasing her dream of becoming a nurse. Marlene has made her mark at Preuss, and her story at Preuss will continue to inspire many more students that come, even when times are tough. Going on that stage isn’t just about ending high school, it’s the beginning of something greater.
