LA PUENTE, CA – Bassett High senior Ericka Huerta-Noriega stood with her college-bound classmates during the school’s final rally of the year, sporting university T-shirts and holding posters of their college logos as the entire student body cheered.

Forty-nine Bassett High seniors signed symbolic letters of intent during the school’s College Signing Day on May 26, displaying their commitment to four-year universities they will attend in the fall. Huerta-Noriega will study engineering at Cal Poly Pomona.

“Bassett High is an amazing school and everyone here is a really good person,” said Huerta-Noriega, 17. “We can do everything we want, but if you want something it’s on you.”

Huerta-Noriega, who came to California from Mexico three years ago, credits her academic accomplishments to the support she received from her teachers, counselors and friends, and knowing that she would be the first in her family to attend college. Her main strategy of learning English was through reading – she highlighted words she didn’t know and looked up the definitions.

“When I came here from Mexico, I thought my English was not good, but I wanted to get better and I struggled every day to see what I needed to do, what I needed to get support,” Huerta said. “I want to study engineering because engineers look for new things and new opportunities. They build something new.”

Bassett High’s Class of 2017 will attend prestigious universities across California and the United States, including Boston College, Williams College and UC Irvine. Four students enlisted in the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

“Our graduating Class of 2017 are an inspiration to our younger students, letting them know that they can achieve any goal that they set their hearts on,” Interim Superintendent Debra French said. “Congratulations seniors on reaching your dreams, and good luck on your future endeavors.”

PHOTOS:

060617_BASSETT_COLLEGESIGNING1: Bassett High seniors watch a video on the colleges their classmates will attend and what they will miss about the school. More than 45 seniors signed symbolic letters of commitment to the four-year colleges and universities they will attend on College Signing Day May 26.

060617_BASSETT_COLLEGESIGNING2: Bassett High seniors sign symbolic letters of commitment to the four-year colleges and universities they will attend in the fall during the school’s College Signing Day on May 26.