When Belen Isais Guzman moved to Sacramento three years ago, she was searching for a school that felt different from the large public schools she had always attended. She found that at Sac High.

Belen joined Sac High as a junior and quickly immersed herself in campus life. She served as a teacher assistant for the dance program, helping to organize and run performances. Her duties involved setting up and planning to make sure everything ran smoothly on stage. That early leadership role sparked a love for organization, preparation, and teamwork that continues to guide her today.

After graduating in 2024, Belen chose to stay local for college. She was accepted into several UC campuses but ultimately enrolled at Sacramento State, where she is now a full-time student. Belen started out originally as a biology major, but switched to construction management with a minor in business administration after discovering a passion for the field through her Sac High coursework. She also works part-time as a cashier at Target, balancing school, work, and her personal interests including daily workouts at the gym and preparing for a beauty pageant in Mexico.

Belen credits Sac High for helping her see a path to higher education when she once doubted she would even graduate high school. Born and raised in Mexico, she moved to the U.S. at age eight and faced many challenges after losing her father at a young age. She says Sac High’s teachers and staff motivated her to pursue college and supported her through the application process, always encouraging her to dream bigger.

Some of Belen’s favorite memories from Sac High include her close-knit senior class and dance performances. She also takes pride in the fact that she translated the entire graduation ceremony, an accomplishment that helped her earn California’s bilingual state seal on her diploma.

Her advice to current and future Sac High students is inspiring: “Keep going even when the going gets tough. Learning is a lifelong journey that never ends. Be responsible for your own actions and know there is a bright future ahead of you. Always believe in yourself.”