Graduation 2023: Hard work pays off for Fernandez and Ponce

RHarvey@CarrollCoNews.com

Working hard for goals has been a common theme for the top two students in the 2023 graduating class at Green Forest High School.

“My parents have always promoted the idea of a good work ethic and I hope I’ve been able to exemplify that in my high school years,” said Juan Fernandez, the school’s valedictorian. “My hard work was finally put into fruition.”

Added Miguel Ponce, class salutatorian: “Being a hard worker was instilled in me at a young age.”

The pair will address their classmates during the school’s graduation ceremony at 6 p.m.

Friday, May 19, at Tiger Stadium.

VALEDICTORIAN

Juan Fernandez

While doing well academically has always been something that was stressed by Fernandez’s family, it took a little misstep in his academics to get him refocused, he said.

“It was always making sure I had straight A’s,” Fernandez said. “But halfway through high school I sort of lost track on that. I let myself fall behind.

“By the second half of high school I decided I wanted to go above and beyond and that’s exactly what I did.”

Fernandez said his high school years included time in the band, yearbook and Beta Club, but his senior year was primarily focused on classwork.

“I was just really focused on taking as much of difficult classes as possible,” he said. “And that’s taken most of my time.”

Fernandez said his favorite class was advanced placement U.S. government, while also crediting Laine Smith, his U.S. history teacher.

“My U.S. government class was a very interesting class,” said. “It was a virtual class, which I was not used to, but I definitely learned a lot.

“And my U.S. history teacher, Ms. Smith, she helped me out with the entire college application process and wrote some really amazing letters of recommendation for me for college applications. She just really helped me out through the entire process.”

Fernandez’s plans are to attend Brown University in Providence, R.I., and major in political science. He eventually wants to become an attorney.

When Fernandez gives his speech at Friday’s graduation ceremony, he knows it will be a special moment for his parents, Jose Fernandez and Anallely Perez.

“They are definitely proud of me … for building very strong aspirations and goals,” he said. “I’m the first to graduate high school in my family so they’re going to be so proud.”

Being a role model for his 13-year-old sister, Valerie, is also something that has been important, Fernandez said.

“That’s honestly one of the biggest key factors in my success,” he said. “I hope to show her that when you put your mind to a certain goal, no matter the difficulty, you will be able to accomplish it.”

One last goal of his tenure in high school will be to address his classmates, something Fernandez said he’s looking forward to doing.

“I’ve grown up with all of my class and I know most of them by name,” he said. “I’m going to feel real proud for our class as everyone continues on their lives, their separate ways. I’m very proud to be part of this class.”

SALUTATORIAN

Miguel Ponce

Ponce said he took advice from his father, Pedro, when it comes to setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

“My father taught me to be independent and to be a hard worker,” he said. “He’s an immigrant to this country and has always had to work for everything he’s had. So, he taught me to work hard for everything as well.”

This time, the hard work led to Ponce being the class salutatorian.

“I was quite surprised,” Ponce said when he learned of the honor. “It was always a goal of mine but I didn’t expect it to happen. I’m happy with the results.”

Ponce said he has attended schools in Green Forest since moving to Arkansas from New Jersey when he entered the first grade.

His dad and mother, Mercedes Alcantara, taught Ponce the importance of giving a full effort in everything he did in life, he said.

“Working hard has always been important to me,” he said. “I was taught to always try my best even if I didn’t feel I needed to. I was told I had to.”

That academic-driven mindset will lead Ponce to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he will major in mechanical engineering. He eventually wants to have a career in the steel industry, he said.

“I think my dad always had a predisposition that I would eventually do something like this,” Ponce said of his academic honors.

Ponce’s high school activities included Future Business Leaders of America, Youth Alive and Project Prevent and he credits online courses for helping him prepare for college.

“They taught me to be independent,” he said. “I had to learn the information, not just by hearing it from the teacher, but also looking up information on the internet. I learned to be more independent, which helps me get ready for college.

“The teachers in college don’t baby you into knowing the information.”

While he admits he will be nervous when he addresses the senior class, Ponce said he is looking forward to it.

“Overall I’ll be happy that I’ve done the speech,” he said. “I wrote it and now I’ll get to say it. I’m proud of what I wrote.”