Years of hardship give way to open doors
Graduating twins thankful for supporters
For 17-year-old twins Diego Reyes and Sophia Reyes, their upcoming graduation from Reagan High School is an especially sweet victory.
And the good grades they earned there form a message of thanks to those who’ve offered them new beginnings after years of hard times.
“We’re so grateful to the people who took us in,” Diego Reyes said.
“This is our way of showing them how much we appreciate them,” his sister added.
There were times when the twins wondered if they had a future.
Today, both have been received full academic scholarships to college.
“I am constantly amazed at the way Sophia and Diego have overcome so many challenges — stumbling blocks that would have hobbled me,” said Thayer Catchings, an assistant principal at Reagan High School.
“I look at them, and they are light years ahead of the teenager I was at 17.”
The twins are frank about the pain they’ve experienced.
Both lost hope at times. Sophia tried twice to take her own life.
During their childhood and teen years, Diego moved 22 times, and Sophia made 17 moves. They’ve lived off and on with extended family, and at times, with friends. There were a few nights when Sophia slept in a park.
Today, both live in the Heights area. Sophia is with a foster family that has welcomed her with the love, acceptance, and protection she wanted for years.
“It’s been a pretty rough road to get where I am now,” said Sophia, who also has worked during most of her high school career.
“They (her foster family) introduced me to what a good life is. You’re not spoiled, but your
needs are met, and you’re loved. I have a home now; I have a place to live during college.”
The Houston chapter of the Posse Foundation, a college access and youth leadership program, will provide scholarship funding for Sophia to attend Colby College in Maine.
And Diego, who made several unsuccessful attempts to fit into a foster family, now lives with Sophia’s boyfriend and his family, where he has found acceptance, too.
He has been awarded a full scholarship to University of Texas San Antonio.
“I was really happy about that,” he said.
“That gave me motivation to keep going.”
Since then, Diego said, he has also been selected for a Houston Rodeo & Livestock Show scholarship. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
Diego said his drive to get good grades was sparked by the instability he and his sister experienced while growing up. He knew he wanted something much different for himself.
“And so many people underestimated me. I wanted to prove them wrong.”
Sophia, who remembers being called trash as a child, said she feels the same way.
“Like Diego, I saw the environment we were in, and I saw college as the way out.”
Sophia said she is grateful, not only for the hope they now have, but also for the support she and her brother receive at Reagan High School.
“Choosing Reagan was the best choice I ever made,” Sophia said.
“They care about you so much.”
Catchings said she finds it inspiring to see how the twins support and encourage one another.
“They hold each other accountable, and they listen to each other,” Catchings said. “They have absolutely figured out how to be family to each other.
“They’re amazing. Whenever I feel sorry for myself I think about what Sophia and Diego have been through, and I keep walking.”
Diego says he and Sophia decided to be open about their experiences to encourage others going through similar difficulties.
“We don’t want anyone else to give up,” Diego said.