David Valdez didn’t allow his obligation to maturity to stop him from crossing the stage Thursday.
The Greene County Early College High School student was not only a leader on campus the past few years — he stepped up to take care of his family as the youngest of three siblings.
Valdez, 20, was born in Greenville and is one of two people in a six-relative household who is a legal citizen.
His young niece is documented, but is only in preschool.
Although his mom, brother, sister and stepdad should be cleared for citizenship soon, they cannot apply for jobs, so Valdez was responsible for primarily supporting his family in addition to school.
While Valdez said procrastination was a major challenge during his five years at Early College, it was his circumstances outside of school that affected his class work.
“Most of it dealt with trying to help the family out,” he said. “I would try to work and deal with school at the same time so I could help out my mom. That would really take away from my sleep and my studying time.”
Valdez worked at a pawn shop and a fast food restaurant while his family labored in local fields, where he would go on his days off. He said his mom always encouraged him to stay in school. His older brother graduated from Greene Central High School but his work options are limited because he is mentally disabled.
After pushing through a variety of tribulations, Valdez joined 24 other Early College students Thursday evening for the school’s graduation ceremony.
“It feels good,” he said. “Once you’re here, you know you made it. I’m just happy I’m here.”
First-year principal Patrick Greene called graduates across the stage Thursday, watching his first group earn diplomas and degrees. Under the Early College system, students can receive both a high school diploma and a transferrable associate’s degree.
“Sitting in graduation practice and calling their names, it already became a little bittersweet watching their faces as they came across,” Greene said. “It’s a lot of pride for me in knowing this is my first group and their last year. This is something we get to mutually share but for very different reasons.”
When he arrived on campus this year, he said the teachers spoke highly of Valdez and his leadership.
“When I came in this year, I didn’t even know that David had been in trouble in the past,” Greene said. “I didn’t know about any of this stuff. I saw a young man that was leading his class that other students listened to.”
Greene said Valdez didn’t realize how much Early College teachers trusted him as a mature person. He learned about Valdez as the year progressed and recognized how much the young student was responsible for outside of the classroom.
“You really see how that maturity was (thrust upon) him,” Greene said. “He thrives in it rather than uses it as an excuse as to why he can’t succeed in class.”
Valdez plans to attend Pitt Community College to study physical therapy.
The avid soccer player was injured and became interested in the field as he was being treated. During his last year, he coached intramural volleyball and soccer, as Early College does not have traditional sports teams.
“This year, I think, has been my best year,” said Valdez shortly before he graced the graduation stage. “I’ve helped out a lot because I wanted to, not because I was asked to.”
He said his teacher successfully kept him engaged in class with one-on-one attention and that he will likely give back to the school.
“I made many mistakes along the way but I learned from them and fixed them,” Valdez said. “I am somebody that got knocked down many times and got back up.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
GreeneCounty Early College High School Graduation 2013
25 graduates
25 high school diplomas
15 associate’s degrees
Valedictorian — Elizabeth Alejandra Acededo
Salutatorian — Yecenia Martinez
Principal — Patrick Greene