Douglas High School will honor three Valedictorians and one Salutatorian at its graduation Friday night.

Douglas High School's three Valedictorians and one Salutatorian. Back row left to right, Victoria Mariscal, Danielle Miller and Kimberly Escarcega. In front is Edgar Aguayo. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch

An estimated 300 students are expected to walk in the annual commencement which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Kimberly Escarcega, Victoria Mariscal and Danielle Miller have all been chosen as co-valedictorians.

Edgar Aguayo is the lone salutatorian.

Mariscal, 18, daughter of John and Dr. Gloria Mariscal, will be heading to Pima this fall on a athletic softball scholarship.

“I was very happy,” she said when learning she has been named valedictorian of her senior class. “This is something I have been working for since my freshmen year.”

Mariscal is the youngest of three children in her family. She had some big shoes to fill as her older brother Oliver was valedictorian and Cristobal was salutatorian.

“I felt a lot of pressure,” she said jokingly. “But they were very supportive.”

Looking back on her four years the soon to be DHS graduate said the four years went by very fast.

“I can’t believe graduation is almost here,” she said. “It seems like it was just yesterday that I was a freshman.”

Escarcega, 17, daughter of David and Robin Escarcega, will be attending the University of Arizona.

“I’m happy we all got (this honor) together,” she said. “We’ve all been friends since freshmen year and we worked hard together.”

Looking back on her four years at DHS Escarcega said she really enjoyed high school.

“I’m happy to leave but you can’t really replace it,” she said.

Miller, 17, daughter of Jason and Amy Miller, is headed to Texas where she will attend Baylor University.

She said when she found out she was going to be one of three valedictorians this year she was really happy.

“This is something I worked really hard for,” she said.

Miller is the first to achieve such an honor in her family. Miller’s younger sister, Carolyne, is one of the junior honor guards this year at graduation and Danielle said she is excited to have her down on the field with her graduation night.

Looking back on her four years at DHS Miller said she’s excited she got to do all that she wanted to do but also excited its’ almost over.

Aguayo, 18, son of Baltizar and Evangelina Aguayo, will be attending the University of Arizona.

“Second place isn’t so bad,” he said with a laugh when asked how he felt when told he was this year’s salutatorian. “I’m happy I don’t have to share my title.”

Much like Mariscal, Aguayo said the four years went by so fast it’s hard to believe his high school days are almost over.

“I’m excited to see what’s next,” he said.

Looking ahead to the future Aguayo said he’s excited, apprehensive and nervous as he now begins a new chapter in his life

Escarcega said she’s anxious to start school at the U of A and looking forward to meeting new people.

“I’ve always wanted to go to school there,” she said of the U of A.

Miller says she’s somewhat nervous about moving to Texas but looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said. “It will be different but I’m ready.”

Mariscal is looking forward to the challenges of becoming a student athlete at the collegiate level and feels she is ready for such a challenge. Pima has a good softball program who won the region this past season and has qualified for the national tournament.

The former Lady Bulldog said she is looking forward to helping the Lady Aztecs continue that tradition of competing for a national title.

Three valedictorians is not unusual for Douglas High School. In 2009 there were four valedictorians and one salutatorian.