Mikayla Sarmento didn’t have to look too far to find an inspiration for a possible occupation.
The mother of the Manteca High salutatorian – she earned one of the highest academic achievements for the Class of 2020 based on her 4.37 GPA – is a nurse.
“She’s one of the reasons why I want to get into it – I think I have the personality (for nursing),” said Mikayla, speaking about her mother, Valent, who goes by Grace.
She describes herself as a caring person. “I like helping people,” said Mikayla Sarmento, who has seen plenty of self-growth in recent years.
She’s a product of the Manteca Unified School District, kicking off her education at Joshua Cowell Elementary School and then transitioning over to MHS.
“I think what we did at Joshua Cowell helped prepare me for high school,” said Sarmento, who is the middle of three siblings.
According to her father, Manuel, or Manny, all three of his children are spaced four years apart. The eldest, Michael, graduated from MHS in 2016, while the youngest, Matthew, will be a Buffalo freshman in the fall.
As for Mikayla, she’ll be attending UC Irvine, majoring in Nursing. “It’s a rewarding field,” she added.
With plenty of time to reflect on the past few years given the stay-at-home orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarmento made a strong effort to get involved.
She was in National Honor Society during all four years at MHS and the California Scholarship Federation for the past three. She served one year each as president for both high-academic achievement groups.
Sarmento was also in College Prep for two years – one year as vice president – and was a member of the Equality Club, Academic Decathlon and played tennis for Mary Ann Tolbert’s program during her freshman year.
She and valedictorian Melissa Poncini were recognized by MHS Principal Frank Gonzales for their hard work and dedication in leading some 389 graduates in receiving their diplomas.
Graduation ceremony plans are still up in the air but Sarmento and her fellow student speakers are coordinating their speeches for this special event.
"It's frustrating for our staff and students on all of these uncertainties," said Gonzales, who has a daughter, Isabella, being among the graduating classmates.
He added: "But I'm confident that these kids, who worked so hard to overcome adversity, will make something positive out of all this."
Sarmento and her family have been constructive with their free time.
"My brother and I have picked up canvas and paints and started doing art," she said.
Sarmento, in addition, took to the gardening, in particular, planting and growing succulents.
"It's interesting that her grandmother always had a garden," said her father Manny.
Mikayla Sarmento's stay-at-home moments include FaceTiming with friends, linking up to distance learning via Microsoft Teams, playing games with family and picking up new hobbies.
"She's always busy," Manny Sarmento said.
