Maria Vargas is the queen of extracurriculars ranging from FFA President to Skills USA
Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Senior Maria Vargas. She has done many extracurricular activities throughout her four years of attending Paso High. Vargas is the President of the Future Farmers of America while also apart of MECHA, SkillsUsa, Mock Trial, CSF, AP and Honors courses, Vet Science Team, Bear Kittens Preschool, and the AVID program. When asked about the three words to describe her high school experience, Vargas said, “wonderful, chaotic, and stressful”.Vargas has made her mark on PRHS in more than one way.
With all of these amazing achievements under her belt, Vargas continues to lead the FFA with grace and poise. From goats to heifers, she has shown seven animals with FFA at Salinas and Mid State fairs.Vargas has taken advantage of all the extracurricular activities the school has to offer and broadened her horizons as a diligent student.
Vargas is loyal to her reign of FFA president. “My favorite part [of being president of the FFA] would be meeting new people at any type of event from different types of backgrounds and having the chance to inform people of what FFA stands for and what it means to us members,” said Vargas.
Being the president of any organization takes leadership and confidence, but Vargas has shown that she exceeds these traits and much more.Vargas is independent,mature, kind, and respectful to everyone she comes across.
“Maria is self driven, compassionate and dedicated to her studies, personal life and work ethics. She goes above and beyond to assist others. Her smile is infectious and she is simply amazing,” said FFA Advisor Amanda Gardner, “She is goal driven and will succeed in life!”
Every student should strive to have a work ethic that allows them to explore their passions. AP and Honors courses are serious and commitment- without a list of extracurriculars.
“Maria is a very mature student. I never have to remind her what the priorities are in class.She has a sense of initiative and motivation that is impressive and she displays that in the classroom daily. Maria is such a wonderful role model and treats everyone in a kind manner, the children and her peers,”said Bearkittens teacher Brenda Matthysse.“Maria really does try and give everything her very best effort.”
The humility and grace Vargas has shown not only to her superiors, but peers as well, throughout her time in high school is admirable.
“Maria is willing to do what it takes to be better than she was yesterday and that’s what I believe has led to her success. When we were at the state SkillsUSA competition, she stayed up into the morning making sure she had practiced for her competitions.She understands that success takes work and that has led to where she is now,”said Mrs. Matthysse. “Maria is a person of real character and it’s clear her peers recognize that.”
Vargas will be attending UC Davis in the fall as an Education and Agricultural Business major and achieved a scholarship from the Hispanic Business Association.
