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After two dramatic life changes, Cesar Vargas found the path to success. /Believe 2 Become
“If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton
Cesar Vargas has come a long way. Twice. First, he came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was six years old. He enrolled in school, and by high school he was surrounded by gangs and drugs. His parents didn’t know the challenges he faced, and because of language barriers, they were not able to provide much support at home.
Cesar’s life changed when he became involved with the Boys and Girls Club three years ago. During his first season of winter soccer there, adults started telling him he had the ability to achieve, to lead, to make a difference. Since that time, Cesar has been named Grand Rapids Youth of the Year two years in a row, and second runner up in Michigan.
His life changed the day he first walked into the Boys and Girls Club. “The Boys and Girls Club, they were my giants,” he says. “They showed me the way.”
Check out more stories from the GRPS Class of 2011 and tell Grand Rapids students that you believe in them by visiting www.ibelieveibecome.org/students.
*Contribution from Joe Jones/Believe 2 Become
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