Maria is an 18-year old young woman from Tucson who graduated from St. Gregory College Preparatory School in May. Maria was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 9 years old and received chemotherapy treatment for it. During her treatment years she lost her best friend who was being treated for Leukemia. The loss and her own experience has inspired her to become a pediatric nurse to be a comfort to other children facing life threatening illnesses.

Maria applied at St. Gregory’s before her senior year of high school because she understood that attending the school would help her achieve her goals. After obtaining an interview she helped guide her parents through the steps needed to be accepted to the school.

She plays a baby grand piano that she was provided by Make-A-Wish at state functions and volunteers at hospitals. She will be attending the University of AZ to pursue a degree in Nursing.