Good morning everyone. This morning I am here to thank you. However, a simple thank you is not enough for me because all of you have done a lot for me and other students here at Brophy. In order so that you can understand how thankful I truly am I would like to share with you a little bit of my past.

Many students here at Brophy have been going to the best schools in Phoenix since they were in kindergarten. I haven’t. I went to school in Mexico for grades 3, 4, and 5. My experience over there was not so bad, but it wasn’t the best. For one, we had no sports. Maybe sometimes one of my friends would take a soccer ball and we would play a little game. But we had no interaction with other schools. They didn’t have air conditioning in the rooms so it was hot all day. There was no cafeteria so all we had to eat were some chips and a soda. It was a very poor academic life I had over there. I’ve always been a student who likes to be challenged. That never happened over there.

Then, when I came back to Phoenix, I started sixth grade in a public school that is in south Phoenix. I was happy and exited because I thought that I was finally going to go to a school where I would be challenged, worked, pushed to my limits in school. I thought that I was actually going to have to think through the school year. First week of school, nothing. They didn’t give us homework, we watched about two movies in some classes, we never worked, everybody could talk to whomever and whenever they wanted. The teachers were not strict at all. They would let the students do whatever they wanted. There were some limits, but by the time those limits were crossed somebody had already gotten hurt, the student had already cursed at the teacher, and other extremes like that. I don’t want you to think I’m bragging but, I stood up over all the students there. I set my goals and I said to myself, “you are not going to be like them”. So I kept ahead of every one in the school for the three years that I was there. The only grades I got were A’s. I was student council president and in that position I tried to help other students behavior.             

I know you might be thinking “what does this have to do with what were doing here?” So now to wrap it all up, let me tell you about the wonderful experience I am living here at Brophy. All the teachers have pushed me and challenged me just like I’ve wanted to be challenged. I was introduced to football here at Brophy. I played this freshman year and it was awesome. I know I could have also played in another school but that wouldn’t be Brophy football. All of my friends here are great. At first I was I little scared because of the fact that I was going to be one of the few Mexicans here, but after the first days I felt how we are all one family here. I could tell that it didn’t matter where I was from or where anybody is from, we are all one big family here, and we are all Broncos.

Looking back and comparing the different experiences that I have lived in different schools makes me realize that I am really, really lucky to be here. I love Brophy and I love what Brophy does for me. It educates me and it prepares me for the future. And Brophy will not only be part of me for these four years that I will be here. It will be part of me for the rest of my life because all of what I learn here will help me to be a good person, a good man, a good and dedicated worker, even a good father.
            All of this is not only possible thanks to me or the teachers. This is also thanks to you, because your donations are what made my dreams come true. Just know that when I say these last words, they are not coming from me, but they are coming from me and all of the students to whom you make this experience possible. THANK YOU!