Port Neches-Groves High School senior Alyssa Nunez has come a long way in the past year.

With the support of family and school personnel Nunez went from a student with attendance problems to a soon-to-graduate senior with an eye on Lone Star College in Houston and career as an ultrasound technician.

“I’m going to do a lot of big things in my life,” Nunez said.

Nunez’s accomplishments haven’t gone unnoticed. Several administrators and one of her teachers nominated Nunez for the Shining Star Award, given annually by Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett. To qualify for the award, a student must be enrolled in either Nederland High School or PN-G High School, worked hard to overcome adversity, became a good student, stayed out of trouble and law abiding and be someone the nominator believes deserves recognition.

One of turnaround points for Nunez came when was became an office aide. To be an office aide requires good attendance as well as maturity and trustworthiness. Nunez applied for the position at the end of her junior year.

“When I saw her application go across my desk, I thought, hummmm. Maybe I can make a different with this one,” Liz Anderson, registrar at the high school, said. “If I let her in my office, maybe she will see the importance of coming to school. Maybe she won’t want to disappoint me by being absent. Maybe she will start to feel good about coming to school. I think I can make it a fun place to be.”

And she did.

Nunez proved to be worth the chance, Anderson told a room full of well wishers inside Burnett’s courtroom on Friday.

“She had blossomed. Instead of shying away from me, she seems excited and happy to come to class. I have seen her grow and become a confident young lady,” Anderson said. “I have faith that Alyssa will continue to thrive and be a successful young lady. I feel privileged to have been part of her journey.”

English teacher Brian Hillin wrote a lengthy letter nominating Nunez for the award but chose to read a shorter version as he “waxed poetic” with his words.

“Alyssa shines a veritable light upon our faces. She inspires awe, wonder, excitement; she is a reminder of possibilities … of hope … and of all those virtues which we hold steadfast in our hearts,” Hillin said.

Hillin said Nunez approaches tasks with a light, benevolent touch and understands that goals are enriched daily with our best efforts.

Burnett knew of Nunez’s goal of attending the Houston college and made contact with Lone Star who provided a goodies basket for the soon-to-be-graduate. Deborah Callais with The Medical Center of Southeast Texas was also on hand to congratulate Nunez with a gift of a phone charger and a chance to spend the day at the hospital.

Nunez’s grandmother, Maria Nunez, saw close to her granddaughter during the event with a smile of pride across her face.

She said she is very excited for and proud of Nunez.

Since 2003, the Shining Star Award has been given annually by Burnett to a high school student for overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities and shining with a major turnaround.