Student of the Week: Sharyland Pioneer High School’s Matilde Curiel
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After three years at Sharyland Pioneer High School, Matilde Curiel, known as Mati to her friends, is focused on finishing strong. She is currently ranked first in her class and has her sights set on becoming valedictorian.
"I think that everything I've worked for is leading up to this moment,” Mati said.
Before high school, Mati was selected for a five-year research program at DHR Health. Through the program, she co-authored a research paper on triple-negative breast cancer.
"We focused on the disparities because triple negative breast cancer affects mainly Hispanic and Black women, so what we found was it was mainly a lack of resources and lack of education," Mati said.
Mati took her research to Washington, D.C., where she presented her findings at a national GEAR UP conference. The experience led her to found her own nonprofit called ALMA, which stands for Advocacy and Law for Medical Access.
"I decided to create it in order to help people know what to look for when you're self-examining and detect it early enough so that it can get treated," Mati said. "For the people that have no resources, it's really upsetting because they have to live with this cancer and a lot of times die because of it."
Mati also has a long list of honors. She is a state champion in HOSA after helping create an original medical device called Cardi Act, a two-time regional champion in mock trial and president of the National Honor Society.
Her mother, Patricia Curiel, said Mati's drive speaks for itself.
"She's a girl with discipline… and she has goals in her life, and she works hard to meet those goals," Patricia Curiel said.
Outside the classroom, Mati is a multi-sport athlete at Pioneer High School. Last year, she helped the Diamondback volleyball team win a district championship, a bi-district championship, and an area championship on the way to a Sweet 16 appearance.
"I think athletics more than anything has taught me to have a very disciplined mindset,” Mati said. “So, things aren't always going to go your way. Your body can get tired and things are often out of your control, but I think it teaches you to stay grounded.”
Her coach and former teacher have seen that mindset up close.
"She's the perfect example of being a great student and a great athlete. When I look at Mati, I'm very proud because she's done a great job of staying true to herself with academic integrity and being honest and being a really, really great individual," Coach Kandi Helle said.
After graduation, Mati has big plans. She wants to become a breast surgical oncologist, attend law school, and eventually move into a government position to help change healthcare laws, especially in rural areas.
This fall, Channel 5 News will be highlighting 10 students who shine in and out of the classroom.
The students have already been selected.
Click here for more Student of the Week stories.
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