In the heart of Pleasant Grove, graduating from H. Grady Spruce High School, Juan T. stands out as a shining example of ambition, determination, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity.
In just a few short weeks, he plans to cross the stage at his graduation as valedictorian – with a full-ride scholarship to University of Notre Dame.
“It feels quite exciting and a tad nerve-racking seeing as I’m entering a completely new place,” Juan said. “I’ve personally grown in confidence which I believe will help in my transition into Notre Dame.”
Juan’s journey wasn’t just defined by academic achievements, it was also marked by his active involvement in extracurricular activities that shaped him into a well-rounded leader.
At Spruce, Juan served as an ambassador of the Academic Success Program and a member of Future Business Leaders of America. These experiences helped him hone his interpersonal skills and developed the qualities necessary to become a responsible business leader.
Looking ahead to his future at Notre Dame, Juan is determined to major in business and financial literacy, driven by a desire to create generational wealth and follow in his father’s footsteps as a provider for his family. For Juan, the dream of owning his own home symbolizes not just personal success, but the opportunity to build a brighter future for generations to come.
His success isn’t a stroke of luck. It was a culmination of hard work, perseverance, and the guidance of educators like Traci Smith, a counselor at Spruce, who recognized Juan’s capabilities.
As a counselor, Smith emphasizes the importance of pushing students to reach their full potential, and empowered Juan with unique opportunities to step out of his comfort zone.
“I’m glad he knew he was worthy of this opportunity,” she said.
Juan is also quick to acknowledge the support of his family, the mentorship of his teachers. Throughout his high school journey, Juan found guidance in the mentorship of his dual credit science teacher, Anthony Banks.
As Juan hit a bit of a crossroads in the application process, Banks urged him to attend a Notre Dame dinner, where he would find the motivation and clarity he needed to move forward.
“The dinner was quite refreshing”, Juan said. “Being in a new setting, I had the chance to get out of my comfort zone and talk to other seniors who would be attending Notre Dame also.”
Inspired by the possibilities laid out before him, Juan embraced the challenge with open arms, knowing every step forward brought him closer to his dreams.
The moment of acceptance was surreal for Juan as he anxiously awaited the outcome of his application, surrounded by advisors on a group call. The valedictorian continued refreshing the page until the news finally arrived!
He recalled the moment when he yelled with excitement and felt incredibly loved by the support of his advisors who were as well yelling on the phone. He then hung up and ran throughout his house sharing the life-changing news with each member of his family, knowing that his success would inspire his younger sisters to reach for their own dreams. Juan said, “I felt very relieved to have made it so far. But what really excited me was the reaction of my college counselors who supported me so much during my journey,” he said.
Juan waited until the following day to share that moment with Banks to see the priceless expression of pride and excitement on his mentor’s face.
As Juan prepares to leave his mark on the halls of Notre Dame, his journey serves as an inspiration to students everywhere, and a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a belief in oneself, anything is possible.
To his fellow students, Juan offers a simple yet powerful message.
“It’s okay to fail sometimes because a failure could end up being your success,” he said.
Thanks to the opportunities at Spruce, Juan is ready to unlock his opportunities at Notre Dame.
