Perez chosen as May senior

Sophia Perez of Venango, daughter of Anita and Ignacio Perez, has the honor of being May’s Senior of the Month.
Perez graduated May 7 from Perkins County High School.
Throughout her years at PCHS, Perez has been involved in band, yearbook, musicals, one acts, Quiz Bowl, speech, TeamMates, journalism and art.
Outside of school, she has participated in the Hastings Open Space art program, RYLA camp, and has received art and writing awards.
Perez started working at the age of 13, cleaning the community church in Venango. She started waitressing at 14, and in 2019 started working at Westview Retirement Community in Grant, where she is still employed. She also is employed at Subway Grant.
While holding two jobs in Grant, she said she learned how strong this community is. “When we first started going through the pandemic a lot of things changed, but by coming together we kep everything going strong. I especially saw this while working at Westview when residents were on lockdown.” Staff there did their best to make residents feel comfortable and happy by checking on them frequently. Perez helped create newsletters for the residents to keep them informed and involved in their small community.
Perez’s future plans include attending Mid Plains Community College in North Platte and studying graphic design/visual communications and multimedia design.
Her biggest source of pride is the person she has become through her many activities.
“I struggled a lot to find my place, and looking back at the past I see that I’ve finally found who I am in the present,” she said. “The faculty, staff and my peers have definitely shaped me into a better person. I’m ready for the future and I know this school and community have motivated me to strive to accomplish my goals in life.”