For many students, school is a place to learn and grow. But for Alexander Gonzalez, it’s been more than that; it’s been a journey filled with challenges, personal growth and learning how to stay strong.
“I struggled a lot with dyslexia when I was younger,” Gonzalez said. “But it helped me figure out how to do things myself without having to rely on others.” That struggle taught him independence early on. While other students followed traditional learning paths, Gonzalez had to find his own way to understand lessons and complete assignments.
There were times when he felt like he had to hide what he was going through. “I would act like I didn’t want to do the work,” he said. “That way, teachers wouldn’t say anything about my spelling or handwriting.” Pretending not to care was easier than explaining the real reason behind the struggle.
Even with those challenges, Gonzalez stayed motivated. “I want to be someone better than my parents,” he said. “I want to make a name for myself.” That goal pushed him to work harder. He went from failing almost every class to becoming a straight A student something he’s proud of, even though most people don’t know about it.
One of the hardest moments in his life happened when he was just 10 years old. “I had to stand between my mom and dad during a fight to protect my mom,” he said. That experience taught him a lot about being strong, even when he was scared.
Support came from people who believed in him. “Mrs. Garza, my elementary teacher, helped me a lot,” Gonzalez said. Her encouragement made a big difference during a time when he needed it most.
Even now, Gonzalez feels misunderstood. “Most people think I’m spoiled because of where I live,” he said. “But I’ve had to work hard for everything I own.” He wishes people would look beyond appearances and understand the effort behind his success.
“I’m only one person,” he said. “I can’t be everywhere at once.” Like many teens, Gonzalez is balancing school, family and personal goals all while trying to build a future he can be proud of.
His advice to others going through something similar is simple: “Be patient. Don’t overthink it. Just relax and try your best.”
If his life were a movie, Gonzalez said it would be called The Learning Curve. “Because I’ve had to learn a lot not just in school, but about life and emotions too.”
Gonzalez’s story is about more than grades or struggles. It’s about pushing through, staying true to yourself and learning how to grow one step at a time.
