Storied Past, Bright Future

With her senior year winding down, Crescent City High School student Lizbeth Espinoza reflected on what led her to become the district’s top scholar and what keeps her going.

Espinoza said she wasn’t expecting her name to be announced May 20 as the Robert W. Webb Award of Excellence winner at the Putnam County School District’s top scholar ceremony. She said her goals have always been stellar attendance, heavy involvement in extracurricular activities and high grades.

“I was like, ‘Wow, this is actually paying off,” Espinoza said. “In my 12 years, I really put in a lot of effort.”

A member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Interact Club, Espinoza also participated in volleyball, track, soccer and weightlifting. She also has about 140 hours of community service.

Sports and group activities allowed her to connect with people, she said.

“It always feels like there’s a deeper connection (with people) when you’re involved in things like sports,” Espinoza said.

CCHS was impacted by the Dec. 1 deaths of student Leslie Vazquez as well as Stacy Cook, who was a teacher and coached football and girls weightlifting, among other sports. Espinoza was one of Vazquez’s best friends and spoke at a joint vigil for Vazquez and Cook.

“They kind of pushed me,” Espinoza said. “I guess, in memory of them, I kind of want to be somebody in life.”

Principal John Shelby said the school is extremely proud of Espinoza’s recognition as the top scholar for the district. He said Espinoza’s accomplishments will continue after she’s left CCHS.

“As a Cambridge graduate, she’s shown excellence at the collegiate level already and we look forward to great results as she continues her education,” Shelby said.

Espinoza has already earned a Cambridge diploma – despite the high school’s commencement ceremony still weeks away – and plans to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa.

“I decided I want to be a neuroradiologist because I want to study medicine,” Espinoza said. “I want to help people.”

Espinoza is one of several district students who initially chose virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but younger siblings at home led Espinoza back to a classroom setting, she said. She called this school year — and the last two months of the 2019-2020 school year — weird and different.

“Now, masks are something normal. Whenever you walk outside now, you’re like, ‘Why aren’t people wearing masks?’” Espinoza laughed. “We’ve never really dealt with something like this.”

CCHS seniors graduate 7:30 p.m. June 10 at the school’s stadium. Espinoza described the South Putnam community as a small, close group.

“We’re all like a tight-knit community, kind of like brothers and sisters,” Espinoza said. “We have one Wendy’s and we all go to Wendy’s. It’s all like a little family.”

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