Schools
DHSHS Forever Friends, Co-Valedictorians Celebrated In Street Renaming
Friends since Kindergarten, two girls helped each other academically for 13 years. Now, they head to UCLA to be roommates, of course.
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — Two street signs will be renamed Tuesday and will remain so named for one year to honor the co-valedictorians of Desert Hot Springs High School, who are also lifelong friends.
18-year-old April Martinez and Daisy Nayotl, 17, will have their names unveiled by city, district and school officials on the corner of Pierson Boulevard and Cholla Drive Tuesday in Desert Hot Springs at 8:30 a.m.
"We've always just been really academically involved," April told City News Service. "...We weren't like, `'Oh yeah, let's be the top of our class and all these things,' no, it just came to us."
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April and Daisy have been friends since kindergarten and have helped each other academically through the years. They didn't aim to be the highest in their classes, but April told City News Service that their friendship got them there.
Both girls plan to attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall semester. They said they'll be rooming together and will continue supporting each other through their college years.
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"I think it's really nice to have accomplished something so big with her by my side," said Daisy. "...I think it's going to be nice to still have that connection with her and watch her grow over the next four years."
April intends to get her degree in biology and plans to pursue a career in the medical field after college. Daisy aims to get her degree in chemistry and to pursue a career as a forensic scientist.
A Palm Springs Unified School District spokesperson says that Board of Education members, the Desert Hot Springs High School principal, united student body members and others will attend the unveiling of the street signs that will display April and Daisy's name for the next year.
Shortly after, at 9 a.m., the girls will join graduating seniors for their last rehearsal at the high school before they walk the stage in the evening.
The co-valedictorians will deliver a three-part speech with salutatorian Elisa Rosario about the importance of building relationships in school and in their community.
The graduation ceremony for seniors at Desert Hot Springs High School will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
