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Juarez, Westhill High School's senior class president, delivered the welcome address at the school's graduation ceremony. She plans on attending University of California at Davis to study International Agriculture and Development and Environmental Policy Analysis.
But first she is taking a year off to concentrate on continuing to develop the school's community garden, which she started, and a greenhouse. She also plans to return to Guatemala to work on her aunt's farm for a couple of months as well.
Juarez started the community garden as a way of connecting with her roots and the memory of her late grandmother, known as Abuelita Lana to the family, who was an avid gardener both in Guatemala and in Stamford when she visited her family.
"I started it just to get back in touch with my cultural roots," Juarez said. "My grandma had always gardened and then in addition I think gardening is so therapeutic and it's a way to connect all the diverse pockets of Westhill High School."
During her speech, she described her fellow classmates.
"When I look at this class I see opportunity, I see talent, I see inspiration, I see potential, I see motivation, I see bravery, I see success," she said.
Other students looked back on their four years at the school and also were eager to move forward.
"I'm ready for the next chapter of my life," Jason Najera said before the ceremony. "These four years have been a great experience. I've learned so much."
Jonathan Molina agreed with Najera that the end of high school is one chapter in life.
"I see it as a new beginning and new hope for everybody that is graduating," said Molina, who is eagerly looking forward to joining the Army. He said he will remember his fellow students and his teachers, who he said motivated and empowered him.
Karla Valdez said she is proud of what she has accomplished.
"It's a day I will remember forever.I made it. I did it on my and I want to keep going," said Valdez, who will study graphic design at Norwalk Community College.
Gesson Charleston, who will study nursing at Norwalk Community College, said he is ready for new adventures in his life.
"It's a special day. I'm finally leaving high school and entering the real world," said Charleston, who admitted he felt a little nervous and anxious about what lies ahead.
Jeremy Gonzalez, who will study business at UConn, said he was glad graduation had arrived after what he called "four long years" and said it's time for him to move on.
"It's great. I made it through high school, but now I have to focus on what my future is going to be," he said.
Claudia Brooke and Charles Dunitz were on hand to see their first grandchild, Madeline Willis, graduate. For Brooke, it was an emotional moment.
"It's wonderful. We are so proud of her," said an emotional Brooke. "She has gotten consistently good grades and she's a great kid and she knows what she wants to do which I think a lot of kids don't know at this point but she is very firm in her convictions that she wants to go into criminal justice to help people."
Willis will be attending Rockland Community College.
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