FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As graduation approaches at Central East High School, one senior is preparing to walk across the stage after a journey marked by loss, hardship and transformation.
Celeste Leyva-Medina said there was a time she never imagined she would make it to graduation.
In her early years of high school, she struggled with attendance and eventually switched to homeschooling, where she found it difficult to stay engaged.
“I would log into the classes and just fall asleep,” Leyva-Medina said.
Raised by her great-grandparents, Celeste and her sister, Ana Monique Cordova-Medina, whom she called “Monie,” shared a close bond.
Just over a year apart in age, she said they were more like twins.
“We literally shared everything, the same clothes, we’re the same size, same shoe size, like same everything, it was crazy,” she said.
During her junior year, a dispute with her great-grandparents led to both sisters entering foster care. They were placed multiple times before being assigned to a new home with the Macias family.
Social worker Laurel Johnson oversaw their case.
“It was challenging for them, because they weren’t used to people who cared without strings,” Johnson said.
About a week after being placed with the new foster family, Monie ran away. It was something she had done before.
Leyva-Medina said she did not initially worry and encouraged her sister to come home. On January 10, the two spoke as Monie was heading back.
Shortly after their call ended, Monie got out of the vehicle she was in and attempted to cross a roadway without her glasses. She was struck and killed by a passing driver.
Later that morning, Leyva-Medina received the devastating news.
“I was still up, I was waiting for them to find her,” she said. “And she had told me that they had found her, and that she was dead. I was just like oh my god. I just started crying so bad.”
The loss of her sister deeply affected her, but Leyva-Medina said it also became a turning point.
“It really made me realize that all this stuff I was doing, I can’t do that forever,” she said.
During her senior year, she transferred from Hoover High School to Central East High School, determined to change the direction of her life. She said she committed herself to improving both academically and personally.
“So I put all my effort into being the best foster kid I could be. I made myself into a new person,” she said.
Johnson said she’s been impressed with the changes Leyva-Medina has made.
Now nearing graduation, Leyva-Medina is finishing her senior year with all A’s and two B’s. She has also secured a job with the Fresno Grizzlies and is renting a room at her uncle’s house.
Reflecting on her journey, she said she is proud of how far she has come.
“My younger self would be so proud, because never in a million years would I have thought I’d be graduating,” she said.
After graduation, Leyva-Medina plans to attend Fresno City College and pursue a career in education. She said she has already been awarded several scholarships as she prepares for her next chapter.
By ABC 30’s Jessica Harrington.
