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Emily Eldridge, Violet Valdez, and Calli Cordell pose together in the resturant bathroom on April 12, 2025 dressed up for their Senior Prom . Photo by Violet Valdez
Senior Laura Mendoza has made the most of her years attending Flour Bluff ISD. Since first grade, she has kept herself occupied with different sport teams and other extracurriculars. In her high school journey, she has been a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Cross Country, and the healthcare program.
“I’ve been doing sports since 5th grade,” Mendoza said. “I did basketball [from] 5th through sophomore year, volleyball 6th-8th [grade], track 7th-10th, and started cross country [from 10th-now].”
She specializes in running long distance events.
“My favorite [running] memory is when we went to Texas A&M-College Station for a cross country meet, and we got to run on the Texas A&M Course,” Mendoza said.
Because of her goals to go into the medical field, she took advantage of the successful medical program Flour Bluff High School offers partnering with Del Mar College. She took Principles of Healthcare and Medical Technology freshman year, Health Science Theory sophomore year, Electrocardiography (EKG) and Phlebotomy junior year, and Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) classes her senior year.
Emily Eldridge, marina Rosales, Angela Going, Scarlett Jorgensen, Calli Cordell, Miranda Lopez, and Violet Valdez pose together after hitting the submit button on the 2025 Yearbook. Photo by: Audreana Underbrink
Violet Valdez, Calli Cordell, and Tavian Wilt pose at the dinner table on Prom night, April 12, 2025. Photo by: Violet Valdez
“[I am a nationally certified EKG Technician and Phlebotomist,” Mendoza said. “I’ve now completed 75 blood draws and over 15 EKGs, attended clinicals at Spohn South, aced my PCT certification, and plan to ace my CMA as well.”
Her academic and athletic achievements stem from the support of her mother, who has driven her to be the best she can be.
“I think my biggest inspiration has been my mom because she pushed me a lot,” Mendoza said. “She helped me get to my goals.”
Managing sports, academics, and extracurricular activities is difficult, but she has maintained healthy habits for a balanced life.
“It's a lot of time management,” Mendoza said. “It's hard at times, but you just gotta set schedules and you gotta make sure that you have time for yourself as well.”
Looking to the future, she plans to continue her path in the healthcare department and continue learning.
“My plans are to go to either TAMUCC or UTSA and study biomedical sciences, go to med school,and become a trauma surgeon.”
Calli Cordell, Violet Valdez, and Emily Eldridge gather together to make a memorable photo for the USA themed football game on September 6, 2024. Photo by: VIolet Valdez
Angela Going and Violet Valdez as they check-in for their hotel stay while going to a K-pop concert in San Antonio. Photo by: Violet Valdez
“My plans are to [either go] to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) or University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) to study Biomedical Science, [then, I’d proceed to medical school, and my end result is to become a trauma surgeon.]” Mendoza said.
Her dedication is evident through all of her successes, with moving up 50 places in her class rank and continuing to thrive to make an impact for her future.
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