Athlete of the Month
Miguel Vera
Olympic Wrestling
 Leader. Learner. Warrior. Miguel Vera embodies every attribute society could hope for its future framers to possess, but this wasn't always so. When Jeff Stauter, a teacher at Little Village Elementary School and Miguel’s wrestling coach, first met Miguel he was reclusive, disillusioned with school and his community, and lacking in motivation. Participation in both the group work and the sports components of the Becoming a Man – Sports Edition program, and the support of his teachers began to change him one experience at a time. He began to share his thoughts in group sessions. Then he began to lead his fellow wrestlers during practice, giving his teammates an example and captain worth looking up to. Finally he began to take charge in the classroom, keeping his fellow classmates on task and earning exemplary marks.
 Growing up in Miguel's neighborhood takes serious survival skills, yet even in the face of adversity this young man has found the strength and warrior within himself to overcome. Coach Stauter says that he’s shared Miguel's story many times and that he’ll continue to tell of his efforts as a positive model for my future students to live up to. He is a true inspiration, determined to change the world around him for the better. Stauter says, “I can't think of another warrior who deserves the honor of Athlete of the Month more than Miguel Vera.”
|