Desert Vista senior Isabella Valencia wants to cultivate a feeling of family

Desert Vista senior Isabella Valencia has always had the goal of creating positive spaces where her fellow students feel safe.

BY ERIC MATSUMOTO

Dec 2, 2025, 5:00 AM Updated: 12:28 pm

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Desert Vista's Isabella Valencia (Courtesy Isabella Valencia)

(Courtesy Isabella Valencia)

Having a group of people she can call family is important to Desert Vista High School senior Isabella Valencia.

Valencia, one of 10 finalists for Arizona Sports’ Character Counts Scholarship, presented by Parker & Sons, has been a member of her school’s marching band color guard and winter guard for three years.

The decision to join the color guard came from a desire to find a group of people who cared about her and whom she could trust.

“I decided to join the marching band my sophomore year because I really wanted to find a family that I could lean on for everything,” Valencia said.

Despite joining the marching band halfway through the season, her dedication and commitment to the program led her to be named a captain the very next year.

As Valencia entered her senior year, her goal was to become the one creating the feeling of family. With her last season of color guard complete, she feels her goal was achieved.

“I think that I created a really positive place for everyone,” Valencia said. “So many of the members come up to me and tell me that guard has become their safe place.”

In the classroom, Valencia has excelled throughout her time at Desert Vista. She currently holds a 4.2 weighted GPA and is set to graduate in May with a Seal of Biliteracy and a Seal of Fine Arts.

Valencia has also acquired 51 dual enrollment credits from Rio Salado College and is a part of her high school’s National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, steel band and dance company.

After high school, Valencia wants to pursue a career in criminal justice, specifically fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.