Evelyn Ponce is a success story for Denair Unified School District’s adult transition program.

Not only was Ponce recently recognized as the district nominee for the Stanislaus County Office of Education’s “Every Student Succeeding” program this year, but the 21-year-old has a better resume than many recent college graduates.

She has been working for the past seven years at the Cup of Kindness coffee cart, where she plays an important part in helping Coyotes young and old wake up each morning.

Ponce said her favorite part is making coffees, but that’s not all she does.

“I stock everything, cleaning, preparing for the next day, serving all the customers coffee, lemonade, Rebel lemonades, chocolate milk and teas,” she said.

“Every Student Succeeding” honors students who have modeled resilience in the face of challenges, exceeded expectations, or have simply won the hearts of their teachers. Ponce was one of 27 students honored countywide.

“Evelyn is very friendly and takes pride in working at the coffee cart,” said her adult transition teacher Renee Hall. “She does a really good job, the customers love her, and she loves to socialize with the customers. She’s just amazing.”

Ponce is a veteran at the coffee cart and is now in charge of inventory and purchasing (with a little help from job skills coach Destiny Silva in transportation). She’s in charge of organizing and facilitating all the special birthday deliveries on campus and sets up the cart at football games.

Cup of Kindness is not the only job Ponce has. During the week, she also works shifts at Pet Supplies, Willie’s Pizza and Wings and The Greenery, among other local businesses.

Ponce was recently accepted for a Department of Rehabilitation work program and gets paid up to 120 hours for her efforts. She had to apply for the program and go through an interview process.

When not at one of her multiple jobs, Ponce is in the classroom working on her life skills goals.

Ponce only has one year left before aging out of the school system, but she’s putting that time to good use, learning how to build a resume and getting as much job experience in as she can.

And perfecting the art of making a great cup of coffee.

Ponce wants everybody to know that Cup of Kindness is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fridays.