A series of questions bombard my mind as I prepare to meet a family I work with at Boys Town.  I often ask myself, "Where would I be today had I not attended San Miguel?" As I look back, I recall the important words one teacher at San Miguel told me, that made a life changing impact.  I remember standing at a crossroads in my education when I faced the toughest decision of my young life; I had to choose which high school to attend. I was terrified and believed that St. Ignatius, my top choice, would be too much of a challenge.  But, my teacher took me aside and assured me that I was ready.  I constantly remember the encouraging words of my former teacher: "I believe you are ready, just believe in yourself and you will do great." Hearing those words and knowing that someone other than my family believed in me, carried me through St. Ignatius and later through Northwestern University.

Today, I work as a Family Consultant for Casa Tepeyac Boys Town of Chicago, just a few blocks away from San Miguel.  As a Family Consultant, I apply the skills I learned through community service and numerous retreats while at San Miguel.  I learned to care for others and to be compassionate by helping youth with mental disabilities when I was in 8th grade.  San Miguel taught me to believe in myself and to pursue my dreams.

Despite the challenges and obstacles the community posed, San Miguel was the lighthouse that guided me away from the shallows and into an infinite sea of possibility.  As a Family Consultant, I encourage families to step outside of their comfort zone and to keep an open mind, just as San Miguel taught me. San Miguel also showed me that it is possible to succeed despite our surroundings as long as we believe in ourselves and work hard to achieve our dreams.

There are many success stories stemming from San Miguel and many more that are being created at this moment.  I am proud to say that I owe a lot of my success to all those at San Miguel who believed in me, and to you, for your support of these schools.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Alfonso Diaz
San Miguel Graduate, Class of 1999