Jose Tiburcio: Dedicated Leader with a Love of Learning

Jose Tiburcio: Dedicated Leader with a Love of Learning

Jose Tiburcio's story begins with his family's emigration from Guerrero, Mexico, in 2005. He was 11 years old then, his younger brother just a baby. As Jose describes it, they lived in "a little town hidden in the mountains, such a beautiful place." His mother sold food in the town's school.

They came to New York City in hopes of finding more opportunities, and ultimately a better life. Jose's mother currently works two jobs to support them, her long hours leaving him to take on a significant role in caring for his younger brother. While life has never been easy for Jose and his family, he remembers the first days in the U.S. as especially challenging.

"First of all," Jose says, "because I did not know the language, it was hard for me to communicate. Due to this obstacle, I was discriminated (against), and this was the worst part. But I guess this is what made me a stronger boy."

Now a junior at Manhattan Bridges High School, Jose became a CFES Scholar last fall, when the high school joined the program.

"Jose is not just a good student," says his guidance counselor Allison Ruth, "he also has become a dedicated leader in our school who offers gentle guidance to students in the mentoring program and encourages them to care about their community."

She attributes these changes to his involvement with CFES.

"As a small school with limited resources, we weren't really able to capitalize on Jose's potential as a student leader," Ruth says. "The CFES program has definitely helped him to come out of his shell. He is more confident and willing to take risks."

For Jose, the CFES program – particularly his interactions with younger Scholars – also has been the path to greater fluency.

"Most of the ninth graders speak English very well, so when I practice with them, my English improves," he says. "I have also lost my fear to speak up."

Jose's confidence grew with his increasing mastery of the language, and now when there is an event at Manhattan Bridges, he is chosen to represent the school.

Helping other students do better in school and in their community is important to Jose, who plays a significant role in Manhattan Bridges' mentoring program.

"He has a calming influence on the sometimes boisterous ninth graders, and his role as a big brother really suits him well," Ruth says.

What's more, these students benefit from the additional academic support that Jose provides.

"As a mentor, I help these ninth graders improve in math," Jose says. "Of course I always try to help them in their other subjects, but I mostly help them in the subject I am best at."

He also tries to make it fun.

"I want them to have fun and at the same time learn," he says.

Jose also offers guidance to peers facing difficulties with the challenging level of math required by Manhattan Bridges' Academy of Engineering curriculum. And he has taken a leadership role in a number of community service projects, including Manhattan Bridges' first food drive and fundraisers to support local charities.

"Helping my school and community makes me want to learn more, and there is nothing I love more than learning!"

After graduating from high school, Jose wants to keep learning – a goal that pleases his guidance counselor.

"CFES has helped Jose to become a well-rounded student, exemplifying qualities that will help him tremendously in the college admission process," Ruth says.

"Going to college is in my plans," Jose confirms. He would be the first in his family to attend. To help him achieve this goal, Jose was recently awarded a Leonore Annenberg College Scholarship, which is presented to students who have achieved academic excellence in spite of tremendous personal hardships.

And while he doesn't yet know where he wants to go, Jose dreams of finding a college with a campus as beautiful as the little town in Guerrero, Mexico, "with trees, mountains, lakes...."