Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Sponsored by UNLV
Silverado High School student Diego Ramirez was set to address colleagues at the Nevada Association of Student Councils with hopes of earning a leadership position.
He wrote a speech and practiced it. But when it was his turn to present, his nerves got the best of him in front of nearly 1,000 other students.
“I had never been on a microphone before and my voice was shaky,” he said. “I remember not being so proud.”
A year later, he was back in front of the same group — this time with a different speech.
And he nailed it. Ramirez, a senior, became the association’s president. The valleywide association has members from various Southern Nevada high schools.
Working in the student council has helped Ramirez become a more complete person, he said. Whether it’s sharing ideas with colleagues or preparing for events, the experience has been the highlight of his high school career.
“You take for granted those genuine relationships,” he said. “It’s taught me the true value of being collaborative.”
Bianca Lutchen, the assistant principal at Silverado, said Ramirez “wants to be a change-maker” and raves about his leadership. He truly cares about the Silverado student body, she said.
“He sought to make sure all kids are represented and have a voice,” Lutchen said.
Ramirez, 17, learned the value of obtaining an education at a young age from his parents, immigrants from Mexico. His older sisters are Silverado graduates and are studying nursing at UNLV.
He’s an honor student at the top of his class and is looking to pursue a profession in public service or politics. He’s already earned a handful of college credits because of high scores on AP exams.
Being a successful student requires plenty of hard work and studying, he said. And he’s willing to put in the time, knowing the result of the effort is strong grades and advancing toward a future career.
“I’ve learned that everything you want takes time,” he said. “You constantly are working to prove that you are a good student.”
Being part of the student council involves plenty of long hours and after-school activities. There have been many times when he’s returned home “dead tired” but had to answer the bell and start studying.
Part of being a good leader, he said, is relying on others to help. The student council and other clubs he’s part of aren’t one-person organizations. They require everyone to work together.
“There is only so much you can take on as an individual,” he said.
Ramirez will graduate in May with plenty of confidence — especially when it comes to public speaking. Even though he wasn’t initially successful, he didn’t stop pursuing his goal.
Lutchen said that “watching him apply himself and win was inspiration.”
“You should see (him) thrive in his leadership space,” she said.