Washoe Country School District
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Rene Brizuela's Profile
Different Living Situation Fails to Deter Gerlach Teen from Graduating
Student:Rene Brizuela
School: Gerlach
The closure of the Gypsum plant in Empire already has taken its effect on the Gerlach community, especially for Rene Brizuela. The 19-year-old senior wanted to finish high school so much, he left his family behind in El Centro, Calif., where they had moved, so he could return to Gerlach High School and finish out his senior year and obtain his high school degree.
He will complete his studies and receive his high school diploma in June along with other friends who have found themselves in a similar situation.
“My parents told me, ‘With a degree, you get better jobs,’ so I wanted to do that rather than get a GED,” Rene said. “I want to go into automotive and be an automotive technician.”
Rene said he chose to return to Gerlach because it’s a smaller school and students receive more attention from their teachers. But the cost of his choice was having to live in Gerlach on his own. He now lives with Gerlach Principal Edna LaMarca and her husband, a coach at the school.
“She accepted me into their home,” Rene said. “It was kind of hard to be away from family at the time. I wanted to be with my parents. But it’s been working great.”
Rene falls into a similar situation as many of the students at the school: They sacrifice living with their families to stay and finish their classes at Gerlach because they believe they’re getting a better education and more quality time with their instructors.
“We enjoy having Rene live with us,” LaMarca said. “Rene’s wonderful. He keeps his room clean, too.”
He’s been accepted to Lassen Community College, but Rene wants to return to his hometown when he graduates. Even though he keeps in touch with his parents, he knows the value of being well-prepared for life after high school.
“Everybody needs an education to be good at something,” he said. “Just stay in school if you want to do something with your life. You’ve got to have an education and you’ve got to stay in school and be prepared. Being in school teaches you responsibility.”
LaMarca said his attitude should be replicated by his peers.
“I think he’s been quite an example for his peers when they see someone coming to school and they know they need to be there,” LaMarca said. “He’s not coming because his parents are making him or because it’s the law to be there. He’s someone who’s made that choice – ‘I need to get an education.’ He’s been great especially for other kids and maybe they need to start thinking about their education and what it can do for them.”
