05/28/2026
Jayla Sepulveda Silvain encountered a road not often travelled by students trying to complete a high school diploma and two associate degrees simultaneously. While juggling her studies at Xavier College Preparatory and taking dual enrollment classes with Rio Salado, she also had to focus on her personal health, undergoing several surgeries.
“Even though I missed a lot of school from time to time, I still managed to catch up on a lot of assignments that I missed and ended my quarter or semester grades with mostly As, some Bs, and one C,” Sepulveda Silvain said. “I hate that C. For a long time that felt like I failed but it was a reminder that I was strong and resilient.”
She attributes her success to both preparation - learning to manage her time and studies even before high school - and her teachers, coaches and family.
“My teachers made it possible for me to recover without stressing over school work and allowed me time to make up the assignments at a decent rate,” she said. “My parents and siblings are my motivation and the reason to keep loving everything that I do.”
That drive is leading her to a future in the medical field, either as a veterinarian or a nurse practitioner. Her 66 credits, earned both through dual enrollment and the high school ACE program at Rio Salado, will help her progress through her degrees at a faster pace in the future.
“I see myself in the future with my dream career, giving back to different communities, and caring for people in and out of my line of work,” she said.
Her perspective on the challenge of the last few years is a testament to the strength she carries.
“If at my lowest I can achieve that, then imagine when I am at my fullest,” Sepulveda Silvain said.
Xavier College Preparatory
