I first met Emiliano back in 7th grade in Dr. Massey’s class. He was really fun to be around because we used to play Minecraft Education on Dr. Massey’s desktops with other classmates, and I have this really vivid memory of me just enjoying my day building a house underground, and guess what happens? Emiliano comes down and burns it all down. I was furious, but now its just a memory to laugh at. Now I’m in 11th grade, and I had the chance to interview Emiliano, my friend and now a graduating senior at YMLA!

Emiliano’s still the fun guy, though maybe less likely to set houses on fire in Minecraft. But there’s more to him than playfulness. He’s overcome challenges, tackled procrastination, and discovered his passion for computers, thanks to amazing teachers like Ms. Smith and Ms. Jones.

So, how does it feel, Emiliano, to be about to say goodbye to YMLA? “crazy since it went by fast,” he says. His future’s exciting, with college just around the corner. He also plans to major in a bachelor’s degree in computer science and get a job after that, and he will pick what college to go to depending on those scholarship offers! But first, let’s rewind and see his YMLA highlights:

• Best memory? Last year’s detention! “All my friends were there, and we had a blast,” he laughs. Even detention couldn’t stop them from having fun.
• The biggest challenge? is falling behind in schoolwork. “But I learned to manage my time and catch up. It taught me a lot about hard work and not giving up,” he says proudly.
• Advice for freshmen? “Do your work, guys!” he emphasizes. “Grades matter, especially early on.” And for everyone? “Don’t wait till the last minute; it only makes things worse!”
• Favorite teacher? Mr. Scott and his epic chess battles. “He made learning fun,” Emiliano recalls fondly.
• How did YMLA shape your future? “It helped me figure out what I want to do,” he says. He’s aiming for a computer science degree and a job after graduation.
• The biggest support system? Ms. Smith and Ms. Jones! “They helped me write better and gave tons of college advice,” he says with gratitude.
• One lasting YMLA lesson? “Be on task, take things seriously, don’t procrastinate, and don’t forget to laugh!”
• Clubs that made YMLA special? Soccer, of course! Playing with his friends was a blast.

Emiliano’s story is proof that a little fun, a dash of determination, and a whole lot of support can take you far. He’s ready to tackle the real world with the same energy and good vibes he brought to the environment around him. Just remember, Emiliano, if you ever feel nice enough to rebuild my house in Minecraft so you don’t feel “guilty anymore,” I’m here. But real talk: just know that even when you leave this school to go to college, you are always welcome back here!!!