2024 Students of Distinction
Sarai Jimenez-Juarez perseveres and inspires
Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles featuring the Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. These students will be celebrated during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.
Sarai Jimenez-Juarez
School: Peninsula High School
Category: Overcoming Adversity Achievement
Sarai Jimenez-Juarez, a senior at Peninsula High School, finds her greatest inspiration in her grandparents, who emigrated from Mexico to the United States seeking a better life.
“Their decisions and support have allowed me to be the dedicated person I am today,” she explains. The life lessons and values they instilled in her have guided her through challenging times.
Sarai Jimenez-Juarez
From patient to healer
After graduation, Sarai plans to attend Seattle Pacific University, where she will major in biology with the goal of becoming a surgical nurse. Her own experience with brain surgery during her sophomore year inspired her to help others facing similar medical challenges.
“I set my mind on becoming a neurosurgeon, but realized I wanted a broader focus in my life,” she says. Sarai chose SPU for its foundation in Christianity, a core part of her identity that has helped her navigate her high school journey.
Special connections
Sarai will miss the relationships she formed with her teachers and peers, especially the sense of community and support she found at Peninsula High School. “I’ll miss being a silly and young teenager, and most importantly, I’ll miss the family I made from my AVID class,” she says. These connections were central to her high school experience, providing her with guidance and support.
Advice for incoming freshmen
Sarai’s advice to incoming freshmen is to get involved from the very first day of high school. “Don’t be afraid to express yourself,” she advises. “Find your passion, and don’t rush to the finish line—enjoy the present.” She emphasizes the importance of finding a community and building lasting relationships that can help ease the transition into high school.
Sarai Jimenez-Juarez
Category: Overcoming Adversity Achievement
Parent: Guadalupe Juarez
Achievements/Activities: Sarai has achieved remarkable things during her high school career. She has accumulated over 100 hours of community service at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, is CPR-certified, and has been accepted into the University of Washington’s Nurse Camp for the summer of 2023. She is vice president of both the Environmental Club and the AVID Club and is also active in the People of Color Club. Additionally, she is a deacon at her church and plays piano in her free time.
Favorite Teacher: Mr. Knowles, her forensic science teacher, was a consistent source of support and encouragement throughout Sarai’s high school journey. “He always showed empathy during my difficult times,” she says. Mr. Knowles’ passion for teaching and his genuine relationships with students left a lasting impact on her.
Best Thing About High School: For Sarai, the best part of her high school experience was the AVID program. “It wasn’t just a class; it was my support and family,” she explains. As a first-generation college student, AVID helped her explore colleges and define her future goals, providing a sense of belonging and growth during her high school years.