Indianapolis Public Schools senior heading to Columbia University

The big picture: Redondo-Ponce is among more than 1,000 Indianapolis Public Schools students graduating this week from the district's four high schools.

• Crispus Attucks and George Washington will hold their commencement ceremonies at Hinkle Fieldhouse today, followed by Shortridge and Arsenal Tech Thursday.
• Across the district, college applications are up 38% and more than 75% of the class of 2026 plans to enroll in some kind of post-secondary education, according to IPS.
• Enrollment in partner programs like Indiana University Indianapolis, which offers direct admittance for IPS students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, is up 44% over the past two years.

State of play: Redondo-Ponce says that Shortridge, Indianapolis's only public International Baccalaureate high school, challenged her academically and helped to prepare her for the road ahead.

• She plans to study biochemistry as a premed student before attending medical school to become an OB-GYN.

• Then, Redondo-Ponce said, she plans to use her bilingual ability — she's fluent in both English and Spanish — to connect with the Latina community.

What she's saying: Redondo-Ponce told Axios that watching her mother try to navigate health care with doctors who weren't fluent in Spanish inspired her.

• "You're seeing them at their most vulnerable, and just being able to just mix languages … I feel like that's important," she said.
• As for their first child preparing to leave the nest, Redondo-Ponce said her parents are "a tad bit nervous, but proud for sure."

What's next: Redondo-Ponce will mentor health-minded students at Crispus Attucks High School this summer before heading to Columbia in New York City.