Local high school student triumphs over adversity and wins prestigious scholarship

On that day, and probably still, Ontiveros is celebrating good news: earning a prestigious national $25,000 college scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association for her hard work and resilience. “My heart soared,” she said, remembering the phone call when she received the good news — delivered months after she applied. She’d started to think maybe the scholarship wouldn’t come through. “It was amazing.”

When she graduates next May, Ontiveros hopes to attend New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the scholarship a launchpad from which she can reach her dreams.

The Horatio Alger Association is a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of young people with demonstrated financial need who are facing significant personal adversity yet remain dedicated to pursuing higher education.

Discussing the challenges she’s faced, Ontiveros said growing up, she witnessed her mother’s drug use. Both of her parents were “in and out of prison.” Ontiveros took on the role as her younger sister’s caretaker beginning around age 12. A while later, her grandmother, whom she lived with, passed away. “I was on my own from there.”

Now, in addition to maintaining a near 4.0 GPA (“3.9 is bothering me,” she said with a smile, indicating her high standards), Ontiveros is a member of Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and multiple sports, including powerlifting, track and basketball. “I try to get involved,” she said, squinting a bit in the sun. “I help out with the church as much as I can.”

While in high school, Ontiveros always worked a part-time job, and the day we spoke was her very first staffing a local golf course. “It’s going to be fun,” she said, reframing her earlier comment that she was feeling nervous because she wasn’t exactly sure what she’d be doing, maybe checking out golf carts or serving snacks. But, as someone who embraces life with a flexible, resilient attitude, Ontiveros welcomes new experiences, even the whimsies of a golf course, with an open mind.

As she was growing up, Ontiveros recalled, the people around her gave her the message that her outcomes in life were three, all dire: in a gang, pregnant or killed. She made a point to ignore them. “Never let someone tell you how to live your life,” she said. When she graduates from college, Ontiveros plans to work as a detective, a career goal she’s had since childhood. The folks who limited her with their words won’t be worth her investigation or time.

While Ontiveros has faced challenges, she doesn’t wallow in them. The facts of her past are mere backdrop to her bright future. Her advice to young people when they’re confronted with adversity? “When things get really hard, just worry about today.”

Taking one day at a time makes life feel less overwhelming. “Today has enough troubles,” she said. Her strong faith also sustains her.

Ontiveros’ example lets us see: A person who wants to build a better life for themselves isn’t someone who waits to be rescued. A person who seeks a better life works hard and accepts challenges as a part of the human experience. Ontiveros is dedicated to living life with a spirit of resiliency. “There’s always going to be a blessing through it all.”

Her final words of advice to young people before she heads off to collect range balls, her new semester at university just on the horizon: “Just be happy. There’s no reason not to smile.”