Student of the Week: Alexandra Ruvalcaba
Through the motivation of her family, which instilled in her the value of hard work and determination, Alexandra Ruvalcaba says she is one step closer to achieving her goals of one day entering medical school to study obstetrics.
Alexandra,17, is currently participating in the Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) Program at South Texas College and is a prospective graduate, not only from STC, but from Donna North High School.
Despite the challenge of balancing full-time college work, the demands of high school, and a variety of extra-curricular activities, Alexandra says has excelled in a very rigorous two year program at STC. She has already received acceptance letters from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M Kingsville Univeristy, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas A&M University at College Station.
“It has been very challenging,” Alexandra says. “I had to sacrifice a lot of time in high school including being in sports and extra-curricular activities. It was really tough, but I know it will all be worth it in the end.”
Originally from Donna, Alexandra said she is receiving her associate degree in Biology and plans to continue her studies at one of the many universities on her list. She hopes to enter medical school and eventually obtain her Doctorate in Obstetrics.
“I think it’s amazing how a woman’s body works and how they are able to carry a baby nine months in the womb,” Alexandra said. “It’s the most amazing and natural act in the world, and I would love to do that for the rest of my life. I have always thought that if I was going to do something for the rest of my life, it might as well be doing something I love to do.”
Top three accomplishments:
“I am really proud to have become a better person because of STC. I feel I have grown as a person, and have learned to think about others more.”
“I am so proud to have accomplished almost two years doing both high school and college work. It has been really challenging, but I am almost done.”
“I am so glad my parents have instilled in me, the ability to achieve my education and my goals up to this point. My brother was also a student in dual enrollment, but he was studying engineering. So he was a big role model in my life as well.”