Unsung Grads
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For some, the journey to graduation day is much harder. By Kim Cartlidge Josue Delgado is a soft-spoken “A” student who looks forward to donning a cap and gown as much as every other graduating senior in Sarasota this week. Although he bears long scars across his scalp that are visible when he gets a haircut, most of his classmates don’t know why. He says he’s led as normal a teenaged life as possible, hanging out with friends, listening to music and playing poker and Texas Hold ‘Em. Yet Josue has become an unsung hero among teachers and staff at Sarasota High who know this ordinary student has an extraordinary will.
His family moved to Sarasota from Mexico in 1997, intending to stay for a little while, Josue says. His mother, Maria, works as a hotel housekeeper, and his father, Catarino, cuts metal for a truck trailer manufacturer. They arrived here speaking no English and liked the place, so they decided to stay.
When Josue was 14 and a student at Booker Middle School, he had a terrible headache and a seizure. Doctors discovered a cancerous brain tumor. Since entering high school, Josue has endured eight surgeries—to remove the tumor, reconstruct parts of his face and to insert a shunt to regulate fluids in his brain. There’s not a day of high school that he has not been under treatment, and his weekly chemotherapy will continue for another year. “I doze off sometimes,” Josue says, smiling. He’s given up his favorite sport, soccer, and most other extracurriculars for now. Yet unlike many seniors, he hates to miss a class.
His inspiration to keep going has been his parents, Josue says, and his face lights up when he speaks of them. They are his heroes. He sums up what he’s learned from them and from his four-year battle in few words. “Keep fighting,” he says. Josue plans to attend State College of Florida, Manatee/Sarasota in the fall and hopes to move on to the University of Florida. His dream is to attend medical school to become a pediatrician.
Sarasota’s high schools have a generous share of overachievers, students who’ve won local and national recognition for their accomplishments. Other students we may not hear or read about have risen above adversities and personal challenges to remain focused on their studies. For them, the graduation walk will be a formidable, if more personal, accomplishment. For the past 11 years, the Sarasota County School District has recognized their achievements at its Most Improved Students banquet at Michael’s on East. This year, the district honored 60 students and awarded grants to the seniors to continue their studies beyond high school. The grants were sponsored by local foundations and Northern Trust Bank.
Josue Delgado won the top award for Sarasota High and a $5,000 check. “He’s a tremendously deserving young man,” says Sarasota High School principal Jeff Hradek. “The treatments are very draining. There’s a great physical and emotional toll. He keeps the focus on his future dreams and aspirations. He has a great spirit and a great character.”
When he walks down the aisle to accept his diploma this week, this unassuming graduate who has not been able to take a single day of his high school career for granted will still be fighting for his health and for his dream. Josue Delgado has already won the admiration of those who understand how arduous a journey it has been.
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Comments
1. MC said...
Great story. Really great.
3. peter tinkham said...
Dar # 2 directed me to your article on "Unsung Grads" ... and KUDOS for it!
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2. Peter Tinkham said...
KUDOS on ur "Unsung Grads." Your mother (Dar # 2) gave it to my wife (Colette) the other day to read ... You need to do a follow up article on Josue in a year or at least this Fall. Pete Tinkham / Gainesville, Ga
6/11/2009