Class of 2020 Senior Spotlight - Denia Portillo

By Denia Portillo
Spotlight
May 08, 2020

1) What have you learned about yourself since the COVID-19 closures?

Denia Portillo
Denia Portillo

Due to the COVID-19 closures, I've had the opportunity to learn that I should value and cherish more opportunities in life. Many of us wake up and believe it will be an ordinary day until something occurs that will tragically change everything.

2) What has been your biggest disappointment/hardship since schools have been closed for the remainder of the academic year?

The biggest disappointment since schools have been closed is spending my last few months as a Senior at Mount Vernon. I never got the opportunity to encounter the 'Senior experience' such as the final prom and Senior activities. I've been at Mount Vernon since my freshman year and it hurts that I've never got to tell my teachers the last goodbye and thank yous. Lastly, never got the chance to walk around the halls and see my classmates.

3) What are your plans for the fall?

My plan for the fall is to attend Northern Virginia Community College and major in Emergency Medical Services to become a Paramedic.

4) How have your plans changed, if at all?

My plans have not changed.

5) What is your passion?

After experiencing ridealongs with the Mount Vernon Fire Station, I had the chance to take a glimpse of what a typical day looks like at the station. After interacting with patients, I learned that my passion is to help and rescue people in need. I want to help change a patient's life one step at a time.

6) Have you discovered a new passion in light of social distancing?

No, I still have the same passion.

7) What are your hopes for the future?

My hope in the future is to be a successful Paramedic to make my parents proud.

8) Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

I am a caring and hardworking student. When I was in school, I put my best effort in all my assignments. If I didn't like a grade, I would always do anything I can to change it. I also like communicating with others and also being their support system.

9) What are you most proud of about your school experience/best memory?

I am proud of my academic recognitions during my school experience. My best memory was Junior year receiving the Academic Excellence award in English by one of my favorite English teachers. I am also proud that I challenged myself to take English Dual Enrollment which has helped me learn a lot of new life lessons. I discovered that I love writing. I would like to give a shoutout to all my English teachers in the past four years.