Washoe Country School District
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Manuel Medina's Profile
McQueen Student Sustains Focus on Education and Life
Student: Manuel Medina
School: McQueen High School
McQueen High School senior Manuel Medina has had more than his share of tough times as a teen.
He went from attending North Valleys High School as a freshman to McQueen in his sophomore year. His parents experienced difficulties both in their marriage and finances, ultimately having to sell their family-owned restaurant in Minden in July 2009 when they couldn’t afford to pay it off.
Then, on top it all, on April 21, 2010, Manuel’s father suddenly passed away, leaving Manuel to become the man of the house for his mother and three sisters. Though he was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken to help his mother, the family went through foreclosure on their home and made arrangements to stay with friends in a two-bedroom apartment.
”That’s what made me realize why college is so important,” he said. “I want to support myself because I don’t want to be living like this and that’s what motivated me to go to school more.”
Afterward, as his mother tried to make a way for his two younger sisters, she left for California, leaving behind Manuel and his older sister. The McQueen student said he became a better person because he learned what it means to be independent.
“When I got to my junior year, I just wanted to start a fresh, new life,” Manuel said, now 18. “Just from what’s happened to me, I’ve learned a lot about the value of money and of being responsible.”
He added that going to McQueen has helped him to deal with the seemingly relentless hardships. He will receive his diploma in June and looks forward to a bright future at Truckee Meadows Community College in the fall, for which he credits his McQueen teachers.
“All the teachers here are very nice and they understand what you’re going through,” Manuel said. “They also understand that after having one parent pass away, it’s hard to focus. I thank them.”
Despite all that he’s been through, Manuel has achieved a balance of a zeal for life while also maintaining a sense of responsibility for his family and himself. On the side, he’s been an artist since he was 6 years old, often drawing his favorite cartoon characters. His teachers have taken notice of his ability and have his work hung up in McQueen’s classrooms from medieval knights or lancers for English or the “Toy Story” character Woody with a depiction of certain mathematical patterns in the background for his math class.
“My dad always taught me it’s better to be nice, to have a positive mind about life rather than a negative mind,” the teen said. “No matter the situation, I try to be optimistic. It made me the person I am today. Even though my dad’s not here physically, he’s always there watching me.”
He also shows a self-awareness after learning a few important life lessons of what it means to grow up.
“It made me a better person because I always relied on my mom and dad if I needed something – ‘Mom, I need $20’ or ‘Dad, I need this.’ My mom said she’s seen a lot of change in me.”
That change was one of the reasons Manuel was recognized as a Reno South Rotary Most Improved Student in recent months. He was given a certificate and received $100 to use toward his college education.
McQueen Assistant Principal Leslie Hermann called Manuel “a gem.”
“He’s so happy and he’s a complete survivor,” she said. “He has had more adverse circumstances than most people have in a lifetime. He just seems to be a very happy person, very centered, and he’s just charming.”
Manuel will attend Truckee Meadows Community College in the fall to become a dental assistant.
