There are two stages in Adamaris Gutierrez's life right now. One is lit by spotlights, where she moves with precision and grace as a professional dancer with ArtistiCO Dance Company. The other is quieter, with lecture halls, lab tables and textbooks stacked high, where she's building the foundation for a career in medicine.
Most people would choose one or the other. Gutierrez chose both. And it's not because she couldn't decide. It's because she knows exactly who she is, and who she's becoming. She is proof that the best futures aren't built by narrowing your focus. They're built by honoring every part of yourself.
Gutierrez’s story didn't start with certainty. It started with curiosity, a rigorous high school curriculum, and a grandmother who healed without a degree.
"Growing up in a Latino household, I saw early on what resilience looked like," Gutierrez shared. "My family didn't always have access to the best healthcare, and language barriers made it hard for them to get the help they needed. Watching my parents navigate complicated systems with patience, even when it felt unfair, didn't discourage me. It motivated me."
That motivation found its footing at DSST: Conservatory Green, where Gutierrez (Class of 2024) discovered she could handle more than she thought, academically, emotionally and practically.
"The academic workload and pace of the classes at DSST were key aspects in my preparation for college," she said. "They not only taught me how to pace myself with my work, but also how to be responsible in ensuring I was caught up on deadlines. I also learned how to manage multiple classes and commitments at once, which made the transition into college life much smoother."
One class stands out in her memory: AP Biology. It was also where she began to see herself in a white coat.
"That class changed how I saw science," she said. "It wasn't just about memorizing facts. It was about asking questions and finding answers. I learned to study efficiently and to approach challenging material with curiosity rather than fear."
DSST's STEM focus gave her the tools, but it was the people who gave her permission to dream.
"Aside from academics, the support I received from teachers and college counselors was incredible," Gutierrez said. "They genuinely cared about our success and took their time guiding us through the challenges that come with preparing for college."
Still, college as a first-generation student has required a different kind of navigation.
"As a first-generation college student, my experience has been both exciting and eye-opening," she said. "One of the biggest challenges has been balancing academics with personal responsibilities like work and extracurriculars, but it is rewarding to know that all the effort I am putting in is helping me grow academically and personally."
She's inspired by the healers who came before her, especially her grandmother, a woman who was never formally trained in medicine but became the person her community turned to for help.
"She was never formally educated in medicine, but she was the woman we all came to for help,” Gutierrez said. "My goal is to pursue a career in the medical field, where I can combine science and service through my dedication to helping others. I hope to embody her as a physician.”
For current DSST students, especially those navigating the college process as first-generation students, Gutierrez's advice is simple: "You belong here. Don't let yourself be your worst enemy. Believe in your ability to adapt and grow. College may seem intimidating at first, but everything you've learned at DSST has prepared you more than you think. Take advantage of the resources available to you and don't be afraid to ask questions! You deserve to be where you're at and to succeed."