The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now college-bound student’s advice: keep going
Freddie Hernández’s mother spent long, exhausting days cleaning homes, while his father labored under an intense sun in his work in the field of construction. Thanks to these efforts, though, Hernández is now able to accomplish his goal of attending college.
Hernández, a student at Centennial High School in Roswell, was recently accepted to Bard College in New York. There, he plans to study biology, with the end goal of becoming a medical doctor. Hernández, a Mexican-American, was awarded a scholarship from the Posse Foundation, which will cover his education expenses.
Despite the challenges his family has faced, above all from a financial standpoint, Hernández is certain that any obstacle can be overcome.
“It’s all about finding a way, even when it seems impossible and you feel like you can’t do it,” assured Hernández, who also presides as president of his school’s HOPE chapter. HOPE is an organization that promotes the benefits of a college education among Hispanics.
According to Hernández, his mother suffers from an illness that complicated the family situation even further, but she has never allowed it to impede her
from supporting her son.
“She doesn’t just stay home; she supports me, she helps me. They’ve always taught me to overcome difficulties,” said Hernández.
It was his mother’s illness, in fact, and the financial struggles the family faced due to the high cost of her medication, which motivated Hernández to pursue a career in medicine.
“We know what it’s like for all the money in the house to go toward paying for medicine or an appointment. That’s what inspired me, because it shouldn’t be so expensive for families like us,” he said.
Hernández’s mother, María de Jesús Leal, was unable to participate in this interview, but she
made sure to send a letter in which she expresses gratitude for the fruits of her labor.
“Wherever we are, anything is possible. Our children can go far with the support of their parents; work, religion and color don’t matter. The important thing is family unity and positive activityfrom our children,” explained Leal via her letter.
Leal also pointed out that thanks to her work cleaning houses and her husband’s efforts in construction, the couple has paved the way for their children to be successful, through much effort and discipline.
“I feel proud to say that I clean houses. My husband works in construction. We’re proud to say it. My children have succeeded, we’re seeing it with Freddie,” said Leal, who assured that she and her husband will do whatever it takes for their son “to realize all his dreams and to go wherever he desires to go.”
Hernández, for his p art, acknowledged the sacrifices his parents have made, and he pledged to pay them back.
“I know that they made many sacrifices in coming here; they left their families, they left everything they had there. I want their sacrifice to be worth it,” he said.
In August, Hernández will leave his home state, but he also wishes to extend a message to other Latino students who will graduate in the next few years and face challenges, including uncertainty regarding their ability to attend college.
“I want people to not feel defeated; keep going and exceeding and proving that Hispanic students can do it,” said Hernández.