A model of resilience and determination, SYHS senior has embraced football and the school’s CTE pathway
The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, in cooperation with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, has named SYHS senior Nicholas Duran as the April Student of the Month.
Nicholas, known more familiarly as “Nico,” was announced as the winner during the Elks Lodge meeting on April 17 and received a $100 check.
Nico is a student that embodies resilience and determination, having excelled in the school’s special education program while embracing the warmth of the Valley community.
His high school journey has been punctuated by his newfound passion for football in his senior year — a testament to his adventurous spirit and ability to forge lasting friendships. Nico stated that “he decided to play football to try something new. He made a lot of friends and wishes he had played all four years. He said the summers were hot, but it was still fun.”
Off the field, Nico embraced SYHS’s Career Technical Education pathways, studying automotive mechanics, welding, and culinary arts, both at SYHS and through concurrent enrollment at Allan Hancock College. His aspiration to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and older brother as a welder at Hancock, reflecting his deep-rooted family values and commitment to his chosen career path.
Nico is the student that I might be the most excited to speak about all year,” said SYHS Administrative Assistant Alexa Tomasini. “Nico has worked very hard in our special education program.”
Outside of academics, Nico loves fishing and the beach. His dedication to community service further underscores his role as a valued citizen and a joy to have in any classroom setting. He has matured into an excellent man who everyone who knows him is so proud of.
If Nico could give his younger self advice, he would ask for more help for his disability and not be quiet. He would tell himself to do you and make good choices.
Nico is not just a student; he is a model of resilience, a testament to the power of perseverance and self-discovery. As he prepares for Allan Hancock College, we commend Nico for his unwavering spirit, his dedication to family, and hispositive impact on all who have had the pleasure of knowing him.
