Walking through the hallways of West Chicago Community High School with her AirPods in, smooth jazz leaks from senior Cecilia Chavez’s ears. As the final bell nears, she smiles, eager to go home and recreate the familiar melody on her bass guitar.

Cecilia Chavez—known to everyone as CeCe—has not always moved through the hallways so confidently. She was once a newcomer, unfamiliar with the school, and struggled to find her place. But at West Chicago, it seemed like everyone already knew her.

Chavez previously attended Waldorf School of DuPage, a private school in Warrenville, Illinois, and later transferred to an all-girls Catholic school for her freshman year. At the time, she had no clear direction for her future.

“I was actually going to be a dropout,” Chavez said. “I was planning to drop out of high school.”

A close friend at the time helped her realize there was more to life than the struggles she faced.

“I guess being around [them] made me realize that there are so many people to meet, so many things to do—there’s so much good to look at that it is worth it,” Chavez said.

Chavez faced academic challenges but was determined to get back on track. She enrolled in summer school to earn the credits she needed. Eventually, her private school asked her to leave, labeling her as “disruptive and aggressive.” However, Chavez did not let that define her.

At the start of her sophomore year, she began attending West Chicago Community High School, but her past reputation followed her. She struggled with bullying, but found support in close friends Gabriella Marin and Sam Suarez. She also formed strong connections with her teachers, who recognized her resilience and talent.

“Cecilia is a driven, positive student who works incredibly hard to achieve her goals,” English teacher Shannon Sanchez said. “She takes her work seriously and is very focused on learning and revising her work. She really has a terrific attitude and great style. It’s fun to talk with her about any random thing, and I am always happy to see her.”

Chavez values family above all else. She has an older brother and an older sister, both of whom graduated from West Chicago Community High School. Her sister, a nurse, has been one of her greatest inspirations, motivating Chavez to pursue a career in nursing.

“I’ve seen how, when you don’t have healthcare around you, it affects you,” Chavez said. “How people are scared to go to the doctor because of previous experiences, or how not having the money to go affects their health. I want to see that change.”

After high school, Chavez plans to attend College of DuPage for two years before transferring to Chamberlain University, an in-state nursing school.

Her journey through high school has been shaped by friendships and personal growth. Despite her serious demeanor, Chavez considers herself a goofy and humorous person, something her friends can attest to.

“If I had met CeCe sophomore year, we would have become friends immediately,” Marin said. “She’s a thoughtful person—someone who pays attention and considers others’ feelings when she speaks and acts. I’ve become close to her without even noticing it, but definitely seeing how she fights for those she loves makes me grateful to be her friend.”

Between avoiding people with coffee breath and those who chew their gum with their mouths open, Chavez still finds time to do what she loves. She played varsity soccer during her freshman year and later joined the girls’ wrestling team in her junior year. She also took on a coaching role with the boys’ soccer team. Although she was initially hesitant to try new activities as a transfer student, she found her footing and embraced new experiences.

Chavez also has a deep appreciation for music, particularly jazz. Her father, a bass player, introduced her to the instrument, and she has been playing since childhood. She listens to artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Marvin Gaye, often challenging herself to replicate their sounds on her bass guitar.

Looking back on her high school experience, Chavez has learned to challenge the assumptions others made about her.

“Just because people have an assumption about you doesn’t mean you have to believe it yourself,” Chavez said. “At the end of the day, you only have yourself, so it’s important to believe in who you are.”

Despite the challenges she has faced—from academic struggles to feeling out of place—Chavez has emerged as a resilient young woman with a clear vision for her future. She hopes to create a welcoming and safe healthcare environment where everyone feels comfortable seeking help.

Whether she is playing her bass, laughing with friends, or working toward her nursing career, Chavez embodies perseverance and self-discovery—proving that one’s past does not define their future.