Hugo is a 17‑year‑old student at YMLA. Coming here was not entirely his choice. His mom picked the school, and at first, he just went along with it. It took time to get used to everything, but eventually, YMLA became normal for him. More than that, it helped him start thinking seriously about college.
The hardest part for Hugo was adjusting to an all‑boys school. That part was strange at first. It took a while to settle in and feel comfortable. There was no big moment where everything clicked. It was more like slowly getting used to it year by year.
What Hugo likes most about YMLA is how much the school focuses on helping students get into college. He also values the brotherhood, even if it is not always perfect.
His favorite memory is Brotherhood Camp in sixth grade. He remembers being nervous going in and not really knowing what to expect. By the end, it turned out better than he thought. He met other sixth graders who ended up staying through the years, and he still knows many of them now. Seeing older students come back as seniors to help out made a strong impression on him.
When asked what he would change about YMLA, Hugo had to think for a bit. 
He feels like more students could be involved in things. Sometimes people just do not step up or try new activities. He does not see it as a huge school problem, more like something individuals could work on to be more involved.’
After high school, Hugo plans to go to college and study cybersecurity. He has applied for a full‑ride scholarship and hopes it works out. If not, he has other options in mind. He does not have everything completely planned yet, but he knows the direction he wants to go.
One of his favorite classes at YMLA was robotics during his freshman year with Mr. Scott. He was surrounded by seniors and learned a lot from them. Sometimes he felt behind, but that is also how he learned.
Overall, YMLA taught Hugo to stay focused on his work and not let distractions get in the way. That lesson did not always feel important at first, but it makes more sense now.
For younger students, Hugo’s advice is simple. “Stuff teachers tell you might seem useless or dumb at first,” he said. “You probably won’t care. But later on, you realize it actually matters more than you thought.”
Hugo’s experience at YMLA was not perfect, but it helped him grow, figure things out, and prepare for what comes next.
