Starting this Saturday, thousands of students in the Salem-Keizer School District will walk across the stage at graduation, celebrating years of hard work.

Each year, Salem Reporter interviews one exceptional senior graduating from each of the district’s six high schools, also from Roberts High School at Chemeketa and from the Career Technical Education Center. They were all recommended to Salem Reporter for their leadership and achievement, and for navigating challenges from tough auditions to parenthood.

We’ll be sharing their stories over the next few weeks, starting with North Salem High School student Yaradicxa “Yara” Ramos Adame. After taking a chance her freshman year to try out for “Freaky Friday” the musical, she’ll soon be the youngest person to choreograph a Pentacle Theatre production from scratch.

Read her story below.

See the district’s graduation ceremony schedule here.