Families
Alumni spotlights.
Where our graduates go and what they build next. Real stories from Highland Prep alumni, in their own words.
Our graduates go on to college, careers, and communities across the country, and many stay close to home. These are their stories, in their own words: where they went, what they are building, and how Highland Prep helped get them there.
Alumni Spotlight
Genesis Camacho
St. Mary's University
Political Science
Studying political science at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, debt-free and still using her voice for the issues that matter to her community.
- What have you been up to since graduating from Highland Prep West, and what does life look like for you now?
- Since graduating from Highland Prep West, I started college at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where I'm studying political science. Moving away from home and starting college has been a big change, but I'm enjoying this new chapter of my life. I'm learning how to be more independent and working toward my goals.
- In what ways did your experience at HPW prepare you for college, your career, or life after high school?
- HPW taught me how to work hard, speak up for myself, and take advantage of opportunities. I also became more comfortable speaking in front of people and sharing my opinions. Those skills have helped me a lot now that I'm in college.
- What advice would you give to current students as they think about their future and the goals they want to achieve?
- My advice would be to not be afraid to dream big. You don't have to know exactly what you want to do with your life yet. Take advantage of the opportunities you have, work hard, and don't let fear stop you from trying new things and going to unknown places.
- Looking back on your time at HPW, what is something you appreciate now that you may not have fully recognized as a student?
- I appreciate the people and opportunities I had at HPW. When I was a student, I didn't always realize how much those experiences were helping me grow. Now that I'm in college, I can see how they helped me become more confident and independent.
- What is one accomplishment or milestone since graduating that you're especially proud of?
- One accomplishment I'm especially proud of is starting college at St. Mary's University and studying political science. I'm also proud that I've continued being involved in advocacy and speaking up about issues that matter to me and my community. Being able to study something I'm passionate about while continuing to use my voice means a lot to me. I'm also very grateful to be able to attend university without having to take out student loans. I know how valuable this opportunity is, and I don't take it for granted.
Alumni Spotlight
Bella Rendon
Texas Christian University
Environmental Science
Studying Environmental Science at TCU, where the discipline she built on the Highland Prep West volleyball court carried over.
- What have you been up to since graduating from Highland Prep West, and what does life look like for you now?
- I've been attending TCU for Environmental Science and absolutely loving it. My days start bright and early at 8 a.m., and I spend my time studying, hanging out with friends, and trying new events and clubs around campus.
- In what ways did your experience at HPW prepare you for college, your career, or life after high school?
- HPW prepared me for college by giving me experience with challenging classes and teaching me what is expected of me as a student. It definitely felt hard at the time, but now I'm grateful because I came into college feeling prepared and confident.
- Was there a teacher, class, program, or experience that had a lasting impact on you?
- The volleyball program at Highland Prep West had one of the biggest impacts on me and helped shape me into the person I am today. It taught me discipline, teamwork, confidence, and how to keep pushing myself even when things get difficult.
- What advice would you give to current students as they think about their future and the goals they want to achieve?
- Don't be afraid to try new things and put yourself out there, even if you're not sure where you'll end up. Work hard, enjoy the little moments, and trust that everything will come together even if you don't have your whole future figured out yet.
- Looking back on your time at HPW, what is something you appreciate now that you may not have fully recognized as a student?
- I appreciate how much HPW pushed me academically, even when I thought the classes were unnecessarily hard at the time. Looking back, I realize those challenges helped prepare me for college and made the transition much easier.
- What is one accomplishment or milestone since graduating that you're especially proud of?
- I'm especially proud of starting my college journey at TCU and pursuing something I'm genuinely passionate about. Moving away from what I knew, meeting new people, and building a life for myself has been such an exciting experience.
Alumni Spotlight
Lorenzo Recto
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
VEX Robotics and SeaPerch took him on adventures out of state and sent him to Embry-Riddle with scholarships and college credit already in hand.
- What are you doing now, and what has your journey looked like since graduating from Highland Prep West?
- Currently, I am still working for the school I just graduated from, making sure that the classes next year will have the same amazing experiences I had.
- How did your experience at Highland Prep help prepare you for college, your career, or life after graduation?
- HPW had many events and resources that guided me and made my search for a college that suited me best a lot easier.
- Was there a teacher, class, or opportunity at Highland Prep that had a lasting impact on you?
- Mainly, all the after school activities like Vex Robotics and Sea Perch had the biggest impact on me. Those clubs not only put me on a ton of unforgettable adventures out of the state, but they also set me up pretty good for college applications and scholarships.
- What advice would you give to current Highland Prep students who are working toward their future goals?
- Make sure you always keep your grades up. I know everyone says that and I know it's annoying but it's so worth it.
- Looking back, what is one thing you appreciated most about your time at Highland Prep that you didn't fully realize as a student?
- There were a lot of things that made me appreciate my time at HPW. In general though, I highly appreciate all the classes, extracurricular activities, and college-related events. All of them set me up amazingly for my time in Embry Riddle by allowing me to skip a couple classes and get a ton of scholarships.
Are you a Highland Prep grad?
We would love to feature your story. Tell us where you landed and what you are up to, and you might be our next spotlight.