Sac High alumni Grace Contreras, Class of 2024, looks back on her time at Sac High with gratitude for the experiences that helped shape her path. During her four years at Sac High, Grace made the most of her opportunities. She played volleyball in her junior and senior years, joined the yearbook club, and challenged herself through the dual enrollment program, where she completed four college courses while still in high school.

Now a proud UC Davis Aggie, Grace is double-majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. During her freshman year at  Davis, she also found time to give back by interning at an elementary school and participating in activist clubs that uplift the Latino community.

Grace shared that one of her teachers at Sac High encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone during her junior year. That guidance inspired her to dream bigger and shift her path from medicine to pursuing her passion for engineering.

Grace credits Sac High with preparing her for college, especially through the Panther Pipeline, the school’s dual enrollment program. “It set the stage for how college coursework is,” she explained. “Even just having the knowledge of how college-level classes work was helpful.”

When asked what she loved most about Sac High, Grace pointed to the strong sense of community. “It’s a small school and you know everyone and feel really connected.” Some of her favorite memories include homecoming rallies and other spirited school events.

Her advice to current and future scholars: “Take your time with life. It is a journey you are supposed to enjoy.”