Student Spotlight: Ashley Valdivia

By: Dr. Joseph Kashiwagi

In this spotlight, I want to introduce Ashley Valdivia! She is a high achieving junior that goes to Xavier College Preparatory. She is the oldest daughter of Mercedes and Edgar Valdivia, first generation immigrants from Mexico. Ashley has grown up in America speaking Spanish and English with two younger brothers. From the beginning of her life, Ashley was taught to be hardworking, responsible, and loving. She has been a motherly figure towards her two younger brothers and constantly takes care of them.

Ashley’s parents always wanted the best for their daughter which is why they have been an integral part in helping her to have opportunities and resources to be successful in life! Despite the difficulties of immigrating to America and transitioning to a new environment, her parents found her a great opportunity in joining Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona—an incredible organization that has helped her get into private school and given her opportunities for college preparation. This program helps students to nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. She had been a part of the BHGH Program for four years before being introduced into the Valley Guardian Executive Leadership Program.

At the beginning of the VG program, Ashley wasn’t a normal student. She had straight A’s and excelled in her academic life. While she didn’t need help academically, she was excited to have a success coach that could help her improve in other areas of her life. While working with her coach, she determined that her goals were to build her confidence in herself, develop greater social skills, and reduce her stress. These goals are some of the most difficult goals to accomplish compared to improving grades, health, and family relationships which can be more clear-cut. She set a high bar for herself but had the discipline to achieve what she set her mind to. She set a variety of different goals each week which included scheduled bedtimes, exercising, journaling, joining clubs, vision boards, and talking with her family. On top of achieving new goals, Ashley was also prepping for her Quinceanera. It took months of planning alongside her parents. It was a culmination of her hard work as the event was held to celebrate her coming of age. Her parents and family were so proud of her!

After this event, she made a more concerted effort in taking charge of her life by taking on more leadership roles, coordinating service events, participating in leadership opportunities, and getting involved in activities she was not used to. She coordinated a service project for BHGH where she was in charge of making sure everything was prepared and planned. During the summer, she interned with Leadership Society of Arizona and displayed her leadership skills as she interacted with other high school students attending summer workshops. She joined a biking club, which was her first time in a sport, but she enjoyed participating for the health benefits and because it pushed her to try new things. She recently applied for a position at a restaurant and was given a part-time position.

Although these actions were amazing to see a high school student do, they were nothing compared to the growth that she experienced with her confidence, stress reduction, mental health, and sociability. She was able to accept weaknesses and move forward with confidence. She doesn’t overthink as much which was a big problem in the past. Instead of waiting or procrastinating tasks, she does them immediately. She developed social skills and overcame social anxiety by practicing talking to others. Thanks to her diligence in achieving the small daily goals, she made a significant difference in her life overall. At times, it might have looked like some of her goals were a waste, but she trusted in the process and saw great improvements as a result of her efforts. There are few people in life that can balance school/work, family, and personal development, but Ashley has been able to do this while in the program!

There is no doubt in my mind that Ashley will be very successful in life! She takes advantage of all the tools and resources available for her! As she moves closer to her senior year of high school and future college life, we can be certain that she is prepared for whatever comes her way. We are excited for her future and we are grateful for the Valley Guardian Executive Leadership Program that has given her the opportunity to learn how to grow and be mentored by an experienced coach. She is indebted to the program and will be sure to stay involved as much as possible!