Nataly composes medley of shining moments at Southwest

March 9, 2026

Southwest High School senior Nataly is using a show-stopping array of talents to set up a successful future for herself.
 
Nataly has created a medley of shining moments at Southwest with her bright personality. She is involved in show choir and concert choir activities, has aced tests in her English and math classes and has earned her certified nursing assistant endorsement through The Career Academy. She plans to work as a pediatric or intensive care unit nurse after graduating from college.
 
Nataly said her time at Southwest has prepared her well for life after Lincoln Public Schools.
 
“I love the amount of friends that I’ve made here,” Nataly said. “I love the connections I’ve made, and I love that I have a bunch of opportunities that I can take in.”

 
Southwest Principal John Matzen said he has been impressed with Nataly’s willingness to try new adventures in both academics and activities. She has taken courses ranging from Environmental Chemistry to Literature Through Film, and she has traveled to cities like Chicago with her show choir group.
 
“Nataly is a student who has embraced the opportunities of high school to explore interests and to position herself for a bright future ahead,” Matzen said. “She has kept a positive outlook no matter the challenges she faced.”
 
Many of Nataly’s accomplishments have taken place in the performing arts wing of the building. She joined choir for the first time as a seventh grader at Park Middle School, and she fell in love with expressing herself through song. She combined her singing and dancing interests two years later when she signed up for show choir with other Silver Hawks.

 
Leighton Ware and Samantha Costa have worked closely with Nataly during her high school career. Costa is the choir director and assistant show choir director at Southwest, and Ware is the school’s director of show choirs and assistant choir director. They said they have enjoyed watching Nataly display her talents both in the practice room and on stage.
 
“She’s a talented young lady who dedicates herself to everything she’s involved in,” Costa said. “She always comes to class smiling and ready to take on the day. Not only is she friendly and personable to faculty and staff, but all her peers as well, making everyone feel connected and valued.”
 
“I love that Nataly is so energetic and driven,” Ware said. “She is always so happy and enthusiastic and wants to succeed at everything she is involved in. She is great at building relationships with her peers. She always makes people feel welcome and wanted, and I value that a lot in her.”
 
Nataly has formed friendships with people in multiple show choir groups at Southwest. Those communication and bridge-building gifts are also why she is interested in the nursing field. She said providing professional care to patients and families would be a fulfilling way to serve the community.
 
“I’m very social,” Nataly said. “I like being around people, I like talking to people and I like taking care of people. If I get the chance to be a part of saving lives and helping people, I want to do that.”

 
Nataly has crafted her course schedule with that goal in mind. She has chosen to study more science-based subjects, such as chemistry and biology, to get a head start on that aspect of nursing. She also jumped at the chance to take a certified nursing assistant (CNA) class at The Career Academy when the opportunity presented itself. She passed the CNA exam on her first try after completing the course in December.
 
Costa said she and other Southwest teachers have noticed that commitment in the classroom. She said Nataly’s attention to detail and ability to work well with others would carry her far.
 
“She’s been working hard to take classes that will prepare her for a career in nursing – specifically the pediatrics and maternity side of things,” Costa said. “While she might not be planning for a career in music, her leadership skills, dedication, teamwork abilities, empathy and passion she exhibits daily in choir will shine and make her an excellent nurse to many.”
 
Ware said Nataly’s passion for people would play a central role in her post-Southwest endeavors.
 
“I think Nataly will be super successful in her future, especially because of her ability to genuinely build connections with others,” Ware said. “She finds something great in every day and her smile lights up a room. Whoever she surrounds herself with will really notice this and will want to be around her.”
 
Learn more about the classroom and extracurricular opportunities available at Southwest.
 
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