Dahiana Rodriguez-James

Tenth in the Class of 2024
GPA: 3.98
Attending University of New Haven
Major: Criminal Justice-Investigative Services + National Security
Minor: Psychology and Global Studies

"Dahiana!!! All I can say about Dahiana is how proud I am of the progress she has made since she began her four years at DHS as a quiet freshman sitting in the back of her English class."
- Amy reilly, DHS librarian

High school accomplishments

Dahiana has accomplished many great things ever since moving to Derby High School. One of those many accomplishments has been learning the English language when she first arrived her at DHS her freshman year. She has taken multiple AP courses such as AP Language and Composition and AP Spanish. She has also participated in the following sports: Varsity soccer, Varsity Track & Field and Unified Sports. For Dahiana's extracurriculars, she's been apart of Student Council, Student Athlete Leadership Team, Spanish Club, Volleyball Club, Best Buddies Club, Mock Trial Club and was also part of many volunteer organizations and holds a part-time job at a retirement home.

"She has grown into a driven student who does not let anything stand in her way."
- amy reilly, dhs librarian

the high school experience

Dahiana has made a great impact at DHS ever since moving to Derby her freshman year. From friendships to academics, Dahiana expresses her gratefulness of being able to achieve such accomplishments."My favorite thing about high school has been the sense of community and the friendships I've formed. I’ve also enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities like sports and clubs, which have helped me grow both personally and socially. But overall being able to learn and have an education was the most rewarding part of high school."

"I have enjoyed many talks with her in the library about her classes, books she has enjoyed, and future plans."
- amy reilly, dhs librarian

taking the next step

After graduating high school, Dahiana plans on attending the University of New Haven to major in to major in Criminal Justice–Investigative Services and National security while minoring in psychology and global studies. She isn't sure what to pursue as a career as of now, but with due time it's sure she will do great things for the world. Leaving high school excites Dahiana for what is to come when entering university and eventually graduating university, but it makes her a bit nervous as well."I am a little nervous about leaving high school but I am also excited because I can’t wait to go to college and study and have a good job and a better life in the future."

advice for underclassmen striving for top 10

When asked what advice she would give for underclassmen striving for top 10, Dahiana was clear and concise about working hard all throughout high school but making sure you don't exhaust yourself doing so."My advice to the underclassmen who aim for the top 10 is… to work hard and excel but don’t exhaust yourself just to make it there. "