Father & Son.
When parents tell their kids over and over again that something is important, the message often goes in one ear and out the other. So, when faced with teaching his son, 9 year-old Jose Daniel, about the importance of a good education, staying off the streets, and reducing the amount of time spent in front of the TV, Guillermo Marroquin took a different approach.
The multi-tasking father came across the opportunity to hone his almost nonexistent computer savvy by taking a course. He grabbed it, and he took his son along for the ride.
Guillermo enrolled in Neighborhood Centers' Centro Comunicatorio de Aprendizaje (CCA) Spanish computer class right alongside his son. What started out as a punishment for Jose Daniel's overzealous TV-watching ended up being an exciting experience for the youngster, and a bonding one for them both.
Laura Valenciano, the CCA instructor teaching the course, found Jose Daniel to be a quick study and an excellent student. All of the adult students admired the child's work ethic and the support he provided his father and the rest of them.
On June 21, 2007, both father and son graduated together alongside 45 other students. At the ceremony, Jose Daniel was honored with the Outstanding Student Award. Three days later at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Guillermo and Jose Daniel were presented with certificates of accomplishment from the Mexican Institute and the Tecnologico de Monterrey.
The phrase, "The harder you work, the luckier you get" comes to mind about the graduation event. In addition to the honor of being named Outstanding Student and receiving his certificate of accomplishment, Jose Daniel also won a brand new computer in a drawing sponsored by the Mexican Institute of Greater Houston.
"This could serve as a great example for others who believe that they can't accomplish something," says Guillermo beaming with pride. "It's not easy, but in the end, it was so rewarding. If we could do it, anyone can," he continued.
Guillermo knew from the beginning that he was teaching his son an important lesson. What he did not know was that the experience would make father and son equally as proud of each other.