Four Estrellita seniors receive special recognition

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel staff writer

Four seniors at Estrellita High School received special recognition at the June 3 graduation ceremony at Littleton Community Center in Galt.

Estrellita High School graduate Alma Estrada holds her son, Javier, and her diploma after the graduation ceremony June 3 in Galt. (Mary Min Vincent/News-Sentinel)

Alma Estrada was given the leadership award, Fernando Pelayo won for citizenship, Chris Saldana won the school pride award and Yadira Lopez won the teachers’ award.

Estrada, 19, attended Galt High School for two years before transferring to continuation school at Estrellita. She is involved in the school’s day-care program and parenting class with her son.

“I love everybody here, especially Faith (Gaines). She takes care of my son at day care,” Estrada said.

Estrada plans to attend Cosumnes River College in Sacramento and become an elementary school teacher in the primary grades.

Pelayo, 18, may attend San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, but he is undecided on a major and career. An Estrellita student since December, Pelayo enjoys the weekly sports day on Fridays.

“I like Estrellita better (than Galt High) — less people,” Pelayo said.

Lopez won for academic achievement for performing the equivalent of three years of schoolwork in just three semesters, Estrellita teacher Richard Kingsmill said.

Lopez entered Estrellita with freshman credits, Kingsmill said. She earned 60 credits — the equivalent of one year’s work — in her first semester. The following semester, she earned 67 credits.

In her third semester, she dropped to 18 credits because that’s what she needed to graduate, Kingsmill said.

Saldana was selected for the school pride award because he respected the teachers, his fellow students and Estrellita as a school, said teacher Sonya Limon.