By Amber Villanueva and Janelle Martinez
Senior Ryan Vasquez first walked carelessly onto campus his freshman year unaware that his life would completely change.
Everyone experiences a change throughout their life; whether it’s slight or significant. Here on our campus, AVID teacher Monica Yzaguirre is one of the many that have witnessed incredible changes in some of our students throughout their years in high school.
Vasquez went through quite a change throughout his years in high school because of AVID.
“When I first attended high school, I had no intentions to be good; but when I realized I was close to being an adult, I didn’t want to be a bad influence on my family. I decided to be a leader not just in my career but also in my family,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez decided to become something greater than what he was before. He wanted to prove to his family that he could turn his life around. His greatest influence on getting him through this change was his grandmother Maria Vasquez.
“No matter what she was always there for me and I owe it to her to become someone in life,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez went from being a “thug-ish delinquent to a leader.” He has worked hard to be where he is today. He is involved in many organizations such as AVID, NHS, EHS, XY-Zone, Student Council, and Broadcasting Journalism.
“I love that he changed. He’s done so much in his life. He’s been very strong and hasn’t given up. I know he’s going to make it,” said Mrs. Vasquez.
Avid and the many organizations at school have changed Vasquez’s life significantly which made his family and Yzaguirre very proud.
“We’re all born to be good you know, sometimes we just forget and become disrespectful, rude or selfish,” said Yzaguirre.
Kids should never forget who they are and that change is possible and wanting to become something greater can happen if they just try.