As the school year draws to a close, college looms big and bright for Corina Rodriguez and her fellow graduating seniors at Pescadero High. One hundred percent of the 21 seniors in Rodriguez’s class are college-bound. The majority (81 percent) applied to 4-year colleges and were provisionally accepted based on their last transcript. Another 19 percent chose to enroll in community college, with the option to transfer to a 4-year college, according to Pat Talbot, Principal of Pescadero High. Every one of those students will leave behind Pescadero’s rural comforts for the larger world, at least for now – some will live on campus and others will take the drive over the hill every day for school. There is little doubt that Rodriguez will make the most of it. The buoyant, brightly expressive 17-year-old is the youngest in her class and also one of the highest achievers. She’s earned ‘outstanding student’ credits for chemistry, math and English. She’s played every sport at school. Now she has the delicious dilemma of choosing between two 4-year colleges: Notre Dame de Namur, a private school, and Cal State Monterey Bay. “I feel like I will be someone. I need to get out of Pescadero for a bit but I will come back later on,” says Rodriguez. Rodriguez is exemplary in other ways. She … Continue reading ‘I feel like I will be someone’: graduating seniors venture forth with honors