Introducing our Senior Spotlights for the Class of 2026! Through the slogan “The Future Is Ours,” our seniors are showing the public that they have autonomy over their post-secondary opportunities. Whether it’s at a university, technical school, or going into the workforce, each student deserves to be honored. As they showcase their stories, let’s celebrate their triumphs for the journeys that lie ahead. Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 as they step boldly into the spotlight. #TheFutureIsOurs   

With a bright future ahead of her, Cordova High School’s senior Nathaly R. embodies perseverance, determination, and passion. Her outstanding academic performance, positive attitude, and dedication to her Latin culture have made her journey through Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) an inspiring one. 

As a member of the Student Government Association, Nathaly spent the last three years advocating for her peers and the school itself. She also helped to establish a Hispanic Heritage Month program at Cordova High two years ago, along with Jasmine Joyner and Silvia Flores-Contreras.

According to Nathaly, it was after she approached Ms. Joyner and Ms. Flores that they decided to do the festival and started advocating for it. Nathaly said that both teachers were hesitant at the beginning, as no other Hispanic student had shown any interest in organizing an event like this.

Born in Memphis to Cuban parents, Nathaly played a key role in organizing and promoting the Hispanic Heritage Month’s festival at the school. In 2024, she was part of the Quinceañera Expo, portraying the importance of such a celebration for Hispanic girls who turn 15 years old. In 2025, she led the program as the event’s MC, participated in some of the performances, read the morning announcements each day to celebrate Hispanic heritage throughout the school, and wrote a poem as a tribute to all of the Hispanic countries (see the poem at the end of the story).

“It felt so good being able to share my culture with others and to have something to honor us,” Nathaly said. “It was a really fun time.”

Besides focusing on the arts, Nathaly played softball with the school for three years as well; she was an outfielder.

After graduation, Nathaly plans to attend the University of Memphis on a full scholarship and major in Criminal Justice. “I like challenges and complicated things,” she said of the career she wants to pursue. “You have to put together the pieces of a puzzle, and I think that is intriguing.”

She would also love to further her education by getting a master’s degree. “Being bilingual and having a master’s degree will open more doors to me,” she said, adding later that bilingualism is a skill that allows you to have other opportunities that monolingual people won’t have.

In reference to her academic success and personal growth, Nathaly gives credit –– first and foremost — to her family, and then to her teachers: Ms. Joyner, Ms. Flores, Coach Joshua Booker, and Justin Lay.

“The Hispanic Heritage Month program would not have been possible without the help of Ms. Joyner and Ms. Flores. I hope they can continue doing this for many years,” she said. “They really deserve a lot of recognition for their help and how good they’ve been.”

Coaches Booker and Lay also helped her to be a better person. “Coach Lay has always been there for me; he is a great source of motivation.” Coach Booker, on the other hand, “gave me my softball spark back.”

“As Nathaly’s mother, I feel incredibly proud to see her successfully complete this chapter of her life; I hope that, with this same discipline and perseverance, she will make each and every one of her dreams come true in the future. Congratulations, my little giant! Here’s to even greater things!” said Sura R.

“I feel so proud of her — to see that she was able to achieve her goal, and to see that she is in a great country where we all have so many opportunities. May God bless my little girl!” said Luis S., Nathaly’s father.

“I’m so proud of my little sister for graduating. I’ve seen how much she’s gotten done in her school career, from being part of cultural clubs to playing softball, and I couldn’t be happier that she’s finally stepping into the next chapter of her adult life,” Nathaly’s older sister, Laura, said.

MSCS would like to congratulate Nathaly on her great accomplishments! We hope this new path in her life leads her to greatness. 

Nathaly’s Partial Poem about Hispanic Heritage Month

“RAÍCES Y DREAMS”

We come from raíces profundas,

roots planted in soil that carries history.

Some from mountains,

some from islands,

some from deserts where the sun feels endless. 

Our abuelos crossed borders,

con esperanza en sus corazones,

with nothing but courage in their hands.

They built futures from almost nothing,

so that we could stand here today. 

We carry two languages in our mouths,

two cultures in our veins,

and though the weight can be heavy,

it is also our greatest strength. 

We are the rhythm of cumbia, salsa, y reggaetón.

We are quinceañeras with dresses brighter than the stars.

We are pan dulce on Sunday mornings,

tamales steaming in December,

and laughter that refuses to fade. 

Hispanic Heritage is not just history in a textbook.

It’s sacrifice,

parents working double shifts in silence,

kids translating bills and letters,

dreamers fighting for papers

that say they belong,

when belonging is already in our blood. 

It’s voices that refuse to be silenced,

hearts that refuse to give up,

a community that refuses to break. 

It’s students like us,

writing poems like this,

mixing English with español,

showing the world that our voices

don’t need permission to be heard. 

Somos fuerza.

Somos orgullo.

We are resilience that never fades. 

And no matter how hard the road gets,

we rise.

Con corazón. Con cultura. Con comunidad. 

Because we are the past,

we are the present,

and we are the future,

proud, loud, and unbroken.