Jasmine Abeyta, 18

“She has continued to excel in her career as a student, even though there have been some hardships in her life,” wrote Jasmine’s mom, Emily Vialpando.

“She doesn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs or run the streets. I think that says a lot, especially in this day and age. She will be the first in our family to go to college.”

Academic and athletic achievements

National Honor Roll, 2005 and 2006; member of the STAR program since sixth grade; takes AP courses; lettered in softball, which she’s played since her sophomore year; has volunteered at football games and volleyball games; was accepted to Colorado State University campuses in Pueblo and Fort Collins.

Q&A

When do you graduate?

“May 26.”

Are you excited?

“Extremely excited. I can’t wait to go to college.”

Where are you going to go to college?

“CSU-Fort Collins.”

What is the STAR program?

“It’s for kids who are going to college and whose parents didn’t really go to college — for first-generation students. ... From sixth grade until now they taught us about college and how to pay for college. If we were to go to UCCS, we would get a $1,000 scholarship.”

Why did you pick CSU?

“At first I was going to go to UCCS, but … I went to CSU, and I really liked the campus and decided it was a good place to be. I want major in psychology. Once I get out of college I’ll hopefully get a job as a psychologist. I want to work with soldiers in the military who have PTSD.

What do you do for fun?

“Usually just hang out with my friends. We go do lots of stuff. I can’t wait till it’s summer because there’s more to do.”

What is something you are passionate about?

“I love art. ... I paint and I draw and I take photographs. I was going to go to college for it, but I figured psychology is a better field to get into.”

Do you have a celebrity crush?

“Umm, Taylor Lautner, I guess.”

Oh, Jacob from “New Moon” and “Twilight”?

“Yeah.”

So you’re Team Jacob?

“Yeah. I used to be Team Edward, but then I saw ‘New Moon.’”

What do you think you’ll miss most about high school?

“My friends, probably, because I’ve grown up with them since fifth grade. And it’s just going to be sad leaving them because we’re all going our different ways. Everybody’s changed.”

What will you miss least?

“Ugh, the drama.”