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Student Spotlight
Alvaro Jiraldo
By JoEllen Collins for the Weekly Sun
Wood River High School senior Alvaro Jiraldo appreciates the sacrifices his mother has made for him.
“I lived in Peru until I was six years old, when my mother brought me to the U.S.,” Jiraldo said. “Now, it is just the two of us. My mother works at Alturas Elementary in Hailey and part time at The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She has done well here.”
Jiraldo describes himself as determined and motivated. His hard work and ability to focus on the task at hand is evident in his academic record.
“I’m happy to have achieved an overall GPA of 3.7 and am in National Honor Society,” he said. “I’ve really benefited from all seven of the AP classes I’ve taken, starting with U.S. History in my sophomore year and then especially Economics and Government. The teachers are interesting and inspirational. As a result, I hope to go into law and perhaps focus on criminal or civil rights law.”
Jiraldo is the recipient of a full scholarship to Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, where he plans to major in political science and business.
“I’d say my mom is very proud of that, though she will miss me,” he said.
Jiraldo also loves sports.
“I was on the ski team for about eight years, but I put it aside when I became a junior to concentrate on studies,” Jiraldo said. “Last year, I joined our tennis team. We have had a pretty good year, and I enjoyed playing both doubles and singles in various matches.”
Jiraldo is also active in school clubs and contributes his time to community organizations.
“I belong to Nosotros United, Key Club, and also volunteer with projects that use the insight of teenagers,” he said. “For example, I am an intern for The Advocates, as part of Team ETC (Every Teen has a Choice), where the goal is to try to reach and educate elementary and middle school kids about building and maintaining healthy relationships. We use events like the ‘What is Love’ presentation and student speakers so they can relate to us in terms of age.”
Jiraldo has also helped with Environment Camp at the Wood River Middle School, worked with the Red Cross to organize a blood drive at the high school open to the whole community, and, in conjunction with the BPA (Business Professionals of America) club, his team won fifth place in the state for its film production on the required regional theme of the benefits of healthy sleep.
“Not only has my mom guided me through all of my experiences, but so did my godparents and mentors, Glenn Thomas and Janet Appleton, who taught me how to ski and have supported me in everything thus far,” Jiraldo said. “I am so thankful for them. I feel so much gratitude for the people in my life.”