Neftali was told by his eighth grade guidance counselor that he would amount to nothing, that he was no good and should give up. He was told that pursuing his dream to go to college to study international relations and become a diplomat or human rights attorney was out of reach; he was beaten down and told that Latino kids from Newark don't have a chance. Neftali was put on an IEP track and told he was a failure. He was told that he would end up in a gang and that he should not even attempt to get into a college prep high school. Neftali didn't listen. Neftali didn't give up. Neftali knew there was something more for him.
Neftali came to our school, Christ the King Prep, Newark's Cristo Rey High School. He was told that he is beloved, a child of God. He was told that he could accomplish whatever he set his heart and mind to doing. He was told that he had great gifts and encouraged to pursue his dreams. Neftali began to commit himself to improving his grades. Neftali got involved in debate and law programs for high school students. Neftali worked tirelessly to accomplish his goals. Neftali began to tutor younger children, to encourage them to work hard and pursue their dreams. Neftali was mentored and tutored and encouraged by teachers and counselors who believed in him. Neftali was invited to teach law to other high school students. Neftali is now excelling.
In his personal statement, written as a part of his college application to Georgetown University, Neftali wrote:
"I applied to Christ the King Preparatory School, a college-preparatory high school well renowned for its academic austerity. My decision to apply to Christ the King was rooted in my belief that in order to achieve success, I needed to not only be challenged academically, but, I also needed to place myself in an environment that would support my ambitions. My first year at Christ the King, however, started off rocky with me failing both history and chemistry classes. Suddenly, the words of my guidance counselor began to haunt me again. I questioned myself and thought about giving up, but I knew that was not an option.
Although the work was exhausting, it was a catalyst for tremendous growth. By putting myself in intellectually challenging situations, I learned how to develop greater resilience in the face of difficult academic concepts. While I started off at a deficit, I learned the significance of hard work and perseverance, and as a result, ended up with Second Honors at the end of my junior year: an award bestowed upon students with the second highest GPA.
The same eighth grader who was placed on an IEP track alongside the condemning words of my guidance counselor is now making strides at a top high school in Newark, NJ. As a result of marrying perseverance and resilience, I was finally able to prove myself as a competitive academic. For the past four years, I have been successfully building scholastic habits and skills, laying the foundation for a successful collegiate experience."
Neftali will graduate in June with Christ the King Prep's first graduating class. Neftali is on track to go to college. Neftali has overcome all the nay-sayers and become a shining example of hope and inspiration not only for his fellow students but also for his teachers and mentors.
Neftali and I visited Georgetown University last week. He met with Deans and Professors, Admissions Officers and Georgetown students. He spoke of wanting to help reduce violence in his community and his world. He spoke of wanting to study international relations at Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service. He spoke of his determination not only to improve his own life but also the lives of others, especially those who are told that they are no good and will amount to nothing.
Neftali is wating to hear from Georgetown. As a Georgetown alumus, I hope that they accept him. He would make my alma mater and any school proud. However, whatever Georgetown decides, Neftali is already a light shining brightly in the darkness of an often devastating and debilitationg educational system. Neftali is already a success. Neftali is already making us all proud.
Neftali's story calls to mind the words of Marion Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund and tireless advocate for justice and human rights: "No person has the right to rain on your dreams." She adds: "If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much." And it seems to me Neftali also embodies Edelman's challenge: "A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back - but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you."
Personally, I'm glad it is up to Neftali.
