Kindness, Optimism, and Grit
The poet Maya Angelou has some wise words for us: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
At Strake Jesuit, we pride ourselves on the idea of cura personalis, which involves care for an individual. In Stanley’s case, Mr. Jason Kimball, leader of the Academic Resource Center, known as the ARC, proved to be an exceptional source of such care. He helped Stanley find his way. “Mr. Kimball helped me realize that I have genuine talent and helped me believe in myself,” says Stanley. Mr. George Howe, Stanley’s former English teacher and another role model for him, asserts that Stanley “has experienced more growth than any student” he has taught.
Despite the adversity he has faced in life, Stanley is fundamentally an optimist. He spends hours each week creating digital art that serves as a testament to his positivity. Thematic focuses of his art include superheroes and the triumph of good over evil. His hobby has provided him with a “way of staying on track in tough times and dealing with the problems of the world.” Admired by faculty and counselors for his integrity and intellectual curiosity, Stanley’s strong character has not gone unnoticed. “Stanley is a great person,” says Ms. Yvette Simien, his Academic and Personal Counselor. “He is kind, hard working, and is always pleasant to be around.”
These words aptly describe the unique career of Stanley Agundiz ’23 at Strake Jesuit.
I recall well teaching Stanley as a freshman in English I. He sat in the corner of the room and didn’t talk much. He was never the kind of student who demanded attention. As a fellow introvert, I understood why he would prefer not to draw too much attention to himself.
When COVID hit, the disruption of normalcy was hard on Stanley. His ability to focus on academics diminished, and his grades took a sharp turn downwards.
But an intervention came.
At Strake Jesuit, we pride ourselves on the idea of cura personalis, which involves care for an individual. In Stanley’s case, Mr. Jason Kimball, leader of the Academic Resource Center, known as the ARC, proved to be an exceptional source of such care. He helped Stanley find his way. “Mr. Kimball helped me realize that I have genuine talent and helped me believe in myself,” says Stanley. Mr. George Howe, Stanley’s former English teacher and another role model for him, asserts that Stanley “has experienced more growth than any student” he has taught.
Despite the adversity he has faced in life, Stanley is fundamentally an optimist. He spends hours each week creating digital art that serves as a testament to his positivity. Thematic focuses of his art include superheroes and the triumph of good over evil. His hobby has provided him with a “way of staying on track in tough times and dealing with the problems of the world.” Admired by faculty and counselors for his integrity and intellectual curiosity, Stanley’s strong character has not gone unnoticed. “Stanley is a great person,” says Ms. Yvette Simien, his Academic and Personal Counselor. “He is kind, hard working, and is always pleasant to be around.”
Stanley’s favorite class at Strake Jesuit is Digital Illustration with Mr. Diego Hernandez. As Stanley puts it, “Mr. Hernandez sets up class for you to promote your artistic creativity. You are given the foundations and the rules and encouraged to bend but not break.”
When asked to characterize his unique contribution to our school community, Stanley displays his unmistakable humility, praising the smarts and athleticism of his peers. Rather than compare himself to others, he reflects, “This school has helped me realize that being the greatest version of myself is what matters most and I am truly grateful for having been a part of it.”
We are very blessed to have guys like Stanley around here. May he continue to find inspiration for his art for years to come and may we draw inspiration from his art and from his story!
Copyright © 2020 Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. All Rights Reserved.