JCCS Student Spotlight: Carlos

The Juvenile Court and Community Schools student representative on the San Diego County Board of Education for February was Carlos, a senior at SOUL Academy. 

Carlos was selected as student representative because of his growth, energy, leadership skills, and determination to graduate high school. 

Principal Theresa Fox says that Carlos welcomes new students to the school and often gives tours to prospective students and parents. He also enjoys serving as emcee during school events like a recent Design Jam art show. 

Carlos attends school full time and also holds a part-time job as a busser. Through the school, he’s enrolled in driver’s education, the ACCESS program, and a college course at Palomar College. 

Counselor Jessica Pena says that Carlos makes her laugh every day. 

“He brings a smile to my face when I see him," she said. "It’s been such an honor to see how much he’s grown in the last few years. He faces his challenges head on and is always willing to try new opportunities."

Carlos shared during the Board of Education meeting that he hadn’t always been a great student. He had fallen behind at his previous school, but found the environment and teachers at SOUL Academy provided the individual help and resources he needed to succeed.

“The school helped me get glasses, an ID, and a bus pass to get to and from school, and provided me the chance to look at the PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) program at Miramar College so I can continue to use my knowledge to become a mechanical engineer and work on cars,” he explained.

At the Board of Education meeting, he thanked the school staff as well as his mother and girlfriend for their support. 

Each month, the San Diego County Board of Education recognizes a student from Juvenile Court and Community Schools at its regular meeting.