Senior Stories: Juan, Changing for the Better

Juan and his SRLA teammates from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School.

Juan has participated in SRLA for 5 years, and he is a SRLA scholarship recipient! Juan graduated from Polytechnic High School. He has completed 5 marathons. Juan found a community within SRLA, and he also learned the importance of setting goals and taking on challenges. He plans to attend CSUN!

My experience in SRLA has been a huge journey and period in my life, a major change on how I viewed the value of others and the role I play as a campaign and individual that conquers new and difficult experiences, that empowers my persistence through the weather/ground that lays before me. Changing through each race that I’ve completed by gaining confidence and a will to encounter new possibilities that lead to my goals, growing stronger mentally as the thought of failure creeps my mind. I have learned to persevere and set an example, understanding that having compassion as a leader and understanding others is essential in building an environment where all can succeed and have persistence. SRLA has been a welcoming community that has given me the opportunity to become the person I strive to be.

“SRLA has been a welcoming community that has given me the opportunity to become the person I strive to be.”

Juan’s graduation from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School.

Students Run LA has taught me to give and take compassion, instead of relying on only myself, Which I’ve done, for instance when I was 7 years old and my parents put me in an IEP learning program. I was trained to be restrained from my outward expressions and voice. This led to me feeling isolated and having a sense of mental and emotional separation from my peers. I felt that I couldn't voice my opinion towards students and teachers. Because of this I grew less connected with people other than my family, which was evident when working in groups and answering questions out-loud and growing to rely on only myself. This struggle continued through my first year into middle school where the struggle of being restrained changed when I joined Students Run LA, in 7th grade.

SRLA was an unfamiliar community at that time. I saw how they communicated, with support, strength and responsibility. It was the community with a big heart that helped me during harsh practices that left me drained and less motivated. The people there were facing the same or harsher problems as I was; we helped each other through every mile. I grew from the compassion we shared during the steep hills, the races, and “hitting the wall”, when a runner faces defeat. I continued SRLA throughout high school and found compassion allowed me to conquer a marathon together with people I could call mentors, friends and even family; it has taught me a lot about the value of others, which gave me the power that will help conquer my future-struggles through persistence and exploring different areas/opportunities with talented people.

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