Cyndi Loza

When Damonte Ranch High School teacher Kelsey McGuire was asked if she knew a student who strives to help others despite personal hardships, one student immediately came to mind: Michelle Ybarra.

From being the president of the Ping-Pong club to the Mustang mascot, the Damonte Ranch senior has involved herself in numerous clubs and organizations. And while juggling responsibilities in her activities and classes, Ybarra, 17, also manages to raise her 2-year-old son, Jonathan Jaime.

“She, by far, in my 25 years of teaching, has been one (student) that has really impressed me,” said McGuire, a history teacher at Damonte and Ybarra’s mentor.

McGuire nominated Ybarra for the “Unsung Heroes” award coordinated through the Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows organization.

The award recognizes local students ages 7 to 18 who have overcome personal hardships, volunteer in their community, play an exceptional role in family responsibilities and/or accomplish special deeds.

“When I read it, I knew exactly it was her,” McGuire said. “She had embodied everything about that award.”

As a winner, Ybarra will receive a $250 shopping spree. The Soroptimists will present the award and prize to Ybarra at the organization’s “Thanks to Youth” awards luncheon scheduled for May 22 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

Ybarra said she plans to spend the money on herself and her son.

“Every time I buy myself something I buy him something,” Ybarra said. “That’s why he probably has, like, a thousand toys.”

Ybarra said she does not regret having her son, “but I don’t want to have any other children soon. I mean, it’s no walk in the park.”

In an effort to have other teens learn from her own experiences, Ybarra speaks publicly to teenagers about life as a teenage mother. She stresses that pregnancy can happen to anyone — it does not necessary happen only to promiscuous girls.

When asked how she manages to raise a child and participate in school activities, Ybarra answered: “It’s just time management, really. I do have a regular Bible, but my planner is my second bible.”

Above all, however, she said she has a strong family support system that includes the father of her child and his family, as well as her own family. “I mean, it’s the best support system to ever happen to a teen pregnancy,” Ybarra said.