Local News

San Luis valedictorian: ‘God has blessed me’
BY BLAKE SCHMIDT, SUN STAFF WRITER
--See Image(s) Below--

Published on: May 25, 2006

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Thanking God.

The daughter of two pastors, Damaris Cuen is doing just that, now that she stands at the top of her class as the San Luis High School 2006 valedictorian. The senior, who has a 4.43 grade-point average, plans to head off to the University of Arizona in Tucson.

"I think God has blessed me," she said when asked by The Sun what was the secret to her success.

Having been a part of the first freshman class at her four-year-old school, Cuen is the first valedictorian to have attended San Luis High School for all four years of high school.

Cuen used to play volleyball for the high school, but after her parents founded their church, Centro Cristiano de Agua Viva, she began dedicating more and more time to helping out at the church.

She didn’t play volleyball this year. Instead, she dedicated the bulk of her free time to working with the youth group at the new church, and as a teacher for children’s church.

"It’s cool because we get to interact with little kids, and teach them concepts," she said.

Spending much of her time at the church, she said she has limited time for other activities, though she does like to play her guitar occasionally and listen to Christian rock groups such as Dc Talk. And she likes to dance to any type of music.

Her parents, Ernesto and Marta, live in Gadsden and founded the Centro Cristiano de Agua Viva about four years ago.

Her parents were always very supportive since she was a little girl, Cuen said, but she never felt like they were pushing her in any direction. They taught her to be responsible, and the meaning of hard work, she said.

"No matter what it takes, I’ll do my work," she said,

Though math has always been her strong suit, she’s going to UA to study political science.

"I took government class and realized I liked this," said the 18-year-old.

Her mind is not set on any career path just yet. She said she wants to follow whatever path God has for her.

San Luis High School students Damaris Cuen and Josue Lopez are, respectively, the Class of 2006 valedictorian and salutatorian. PHOTO BY BLAKE SCHMIDT/THE SUN

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