![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rocketshipschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/alum.jpg\")
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This fall, I\u2019m heading to Sacramento State University to major in kinesiology\u2014and I\u2019m proud to say I\u2019ll be the first male in my family to go to college.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been playing soccer since I was about seven years old, and funny enough, the first team I ever played for was coached by my old PE coach from Rocketship Discovery Prep. That kind of full-circle moment isn\u2019t a coincidence: it\u2019s what happens when you grow up in a tight-knit community like Rocketship. A place where people know you, believe in you, and want you to succeed.<\/p>\n
From kindergarten through fifth grade, I was a Rocketeer at Rocketship Discovery Prep. We found out about the school from a flyer advertising a new charter school in the neighborhood with a lottery system. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt like I belonged. I learned what it meant to be a leader; not just someone who takes charge, but someone who gives back and lifts others up. I learned that being yourself is your superpower, and that in the right community, you\u2019ll be appreciated for exactly that.<\/p>\n
Some of my best memories come from being one of Discovery Prep\u2019s first student ambassadors. It was such an honor to help connect with families and support school events. I loved it so much, and it\u2019s a big reason why I still value being involved and giving back to others. I also had incredible teachers and staff who made every day memorable. Ms. Prado, Ms. Matusich, and Ms. Abbott were my top three\u2014they each helped guide me into becoming the best version of myself and made learning feel like fun. I even remember the cafeteria workers\u2014everyone at RDP made an impact.<\/p>\n
Rocketship was the first place I really started thinking about college. I didn\u2019t know what it meant at the time, just that it sounded like a big deal. Now, as I get ready for my next four years at Sac State, I know that Rocketship gave me more than just a great education. It gave me the confidence to show up in the world as myself.<\/p>\n
My advice to current Rocketeers? Keep going. No matter what direction life takes you, no matter who\u2019s around you, no matter if you think you can or can\u2019t\u2014just keep going. Doors will close. That\u2019s part of it. But don\u2019t get stuck staring at the closed ones\u2014look around. There\u2019s always another one waiting to open. Trying is cool. You might not feel like you belong sometimes, but you do. You just have to commit.<\/p>\n
And trust me\u2014you\u2019ve already got what it takes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This fall, I\u2019m heading to Sacramento State University to major in kinesiology\u2014and I\u2019m proud to say I\u2019ll be the first male in my family to go to college. I\u2019ve been playing soccer since I was about seven years old, and funny enough, the first team I ever played for was coached by my old PE…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":25477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[414],"tags":[],"tips_for_teachers":[],"class_list":["post-25475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-en","featured_on_homepage-yes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n