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Cynthia Faces of JAG

Meet Cynthia: Building a Different Future

Cynthia didn’t grow up with a roadmap to success. She began her journey navigating life without a strong support system while trying to build something better for herself.

“My life before JAG was very chaotic. I didn’t really have much of a support system growing up, and seeing the paths my parents took made me want something different for myself.”

Growing up, she faced instability at home and a lack of guidance. But Cynthia decided to not let that define her; instead she became determined. She recognized early on that if her future was going to look different, it would be because she made it different.
“Seeing the paths my parents took made me want something different for myself. I knew I wanted to be successful in what I do.”

Discovering Support and Guidance

“Freshman year was chaotic. I was afraid of not being successful, just like my parents."  

Cynthia already had the mindset that she had to put in the work to make a difference in her life. By sophomore year, she was even more determined... then she found JAG. One day, the JAG teacher invited Cynthia to check it out. 

“She told me to come check out the program, and from there everything changed. She became like the mom I never really had at school. For the first time, I felt like I wasn’t doing everything alone.”
“For the first time, I felt like I wasn’t doing everything alone.”
Cynthia reunites with her JAG teacher at the 2026 Career Development Conference

Finding Her Voice and Confidence

That sense of belonging gave Cynthia the encouragement she needed to grow her confidence. Her academic performance improved and her perspective on herself began to shift.

“By junior and senior year, I was earning mostly A’s and B’s. JAG pushed me to challenge myself; I started taking more honors-level classes and really focusing on my future.”

JAG also helped Cynthia find her voice. During her junior year, she took every opportunity given to her. And by her senior year, she stepped into leadership, applying for and earning the role of Social Awareness Chair. It was a defining moment that helped her discover her ability to lead.

“My junior year, I was more of an observer, but I took every opportunity I could. By senior year, I stepped out of my comfort zone, applied for Social Awareness Chair, and got the position. That really built my confidence.”

Unlocking Opportunity

Beyond the classroom, JAG opened doors to her future in tangible ways. One of the most impactful, she says, was being guided through the scholarship process. With consistent encouragement from her JAG Specialist, Cynthia pursued opportunities she might not have otherwise considered.

“My JAG Specialist really pushed me to apply for scholarships. She kept telling me, ‘You have the potential, you can do this.’ I ended up earning a scholarship, and honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to get through college without that support.”

Through JAG, Cynthia didn’t just improve her grades or build her resume; she gained belief in herself and the foundation to turn that belief into action.

“My JAG Specialist really pushed me to apply for scholarships. She kept telling me, ‘You have the potential, you can do this.’"

Focused on What’s Next

After graduating from Coronado High School in 2021, Cynthia carried that momentum into her postsecondary journey at Scottsdale Community College. Now she is finishing her bachelor’s degree at NAU. 

"I’ve always stayed focused on building something for myself. My goal is to own my own business in residential real estate. I want to create something of my own.”

At the 2026 Career Development Conference, Cynthia returned to JAG as an alumna. She attended the VIP Alumni & Employer Partner Networking Breakfast, where she connected directly with employer partners ahead of the student College & Career Fair.

“I had the chance to talk to several partners. I even reconnected with programs I had considered in high school. It was a great opportunity to explore different paths and build connections.”

More Than a Program

For Cynthia, JAG was the difference between navigating everything alone and having someone in her corner who saw her potential and pushed her to reach it. That impact stays with her today, shaping how she approaches opportunities and her future. 

To current JAG students, Cynthia shares, “Block out the noise and focus on yourself. Whatever you put your mind to, know that you’re capable of achieving it; it will work out in the long run.”

Cynthia’s journey went from uncertainty to clarity and from student to alumna. Her story reflects the lasting power of JAG and the future it helps build.
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