GREENSBORO, N.C. — We love sharing stories about amazing students doing great things as we head into the Triad's high school graduation season.
Monday on the Good Morning Show, WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain interviewed a student celebrating a string of firsts.
Ignacio Alvarez is the first in his family to graduate high school and the first to go to college. The Northeast High School senior graduates this weekend and begins his first semester at North Carolina A&T this fall.
Alvarez talked about the feelings leading up to the big day.
"I'm excited," said Alvarez. "I'm excited to hear my name called and walk across the stage," he said.
Alvarez is the youngest of three and the first to graduate. He says he always felt pressure to do well in school, but he says all that support made him better.
"I felt a lot of pressure to stay focused, to keep my grades up, taking hard classes," he said. "My teachers were on my back, so yeah there was pressure," he laughed.
His English teacher, Ms. Felder says, "Ignacio is a joy in the classroom. He comes ready to work and always is ready to actively participate in class. He is truly a great kid."
Alvarez plans on studying military science at NC A&T and then join the Army with hopes of being a high-ranking officer one day.
Along with his school work, Alvarez also works 35 hours a week and plays football. The responsibilities have taught him about time management but the biggest thrill is being able to mentor other kids to be the best they can be.
"I volunteer with the Brotherhood club. It's a hand-picked group of people. I make sure they are good and that have good behavior and everything so they can graduate and go to college."
Congratulations, Ignacio! Guilford County Schools will hold high school graduations for students on traditional calendars this week.