West Chicago High names Jocelyn Velazquez as September's Student of the Month

West Chicago Community High School has selected Jocelyn Velazquez of West Chicago as Student of the Month for September 2019.

The senior was chosen for outstanding academic achievement while also being a leader in the building through her involvement in multiple activities and athletics.

Velazquez has been on High Honor Roll or Honor Roll every semester of her high school career at West Chicago Community High School and has earned a cumulative weighted GPA of 5.118. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Spanish Language Honor Society.

No stranger to balancing academics with school involvement, Velazquez serves as a Student Ambassador and a ROAR mentor. She is a member of Student Council, Pep Club, Business Professionals of America, and writes for the Wildcat Chronicle student newspaper.

A scholar athlete, Velazquez is captain of the cross country team, runs both indoor and outdoor track and field, and is a varsity cheerleader. She was named All-Conference for both track and cheerleading in 2019.

Outside of school, Velazquez volunteers extensively at her church, volunteers at the West Chicago Terrace nursing home, Feed My Starving Children, and makes meals for families at Ronald McDonald House.

When asked about her favorite high school memory, Velazquez states, "One of my most memorable experiences in high school was lining up on the football field with the football players, dancers, and my cheer team. Glancing back and forth between the stadium and the field as the national anthem plays in sync with the raising of the flag, I remember feeling so thankful to be part of not just a team, but a community."

Velazquez has this advice for future Wildcats, "I would strongly recommend being involved and making the best of your high school experience; this doesn't have to mean being in every club yearbook photo or getting athlete of the year. Don't be afraid to try new things; participate in an assembly, cheer in the squad, try out for a sport, volunteer somewhere, or even make a club. Ultimately your high school experience is what you make of it."

Velazquez plans to attend Cornerstone University in Michigan to major in marketing and minor in business management.