ANTONIO ROBLES (IDEA ‘21) BOSCO TECH 2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT 6
DEVELOPING CHARACTER. Recent IDEA graduate Antonio Robles’ nomination for the 2021 L.A. Archdiocese Christian Service Award was not a surprise to anyone. The award, presented annually to students for significant contributions to their community, is made for a young person like Antonio. In addition to serving on the Tech’s Youth Ministry Core Team, the Liturgy and Worship Committee, and Character Assembly sound crew, the honor student is active in his home parish, San Gabriel Mission. He works with the Youth Ministry, Confirmation, and Catechism programs, and with Gabe's Place Camp, a summer school and day camp based at the Mission. He also is a member of the parish’s popular Marimba Choir. “Although I credit my parents for really showing me what it meant to help others build, make, and create things with love, the experiences I have made over the years have added to developing my mindset,” explained Antonio. “Making a difference in someone's life really gave me the energy from within." “As a Catholic, my duties are to share the Good News to others, and to me, personally, that means to show others to always value and appreciate even the smallest things. I attended an elementary Catholic school which was run by the Dominican Sisters of San Jose. They taught about showing love to everyone, no matter who they were, a moral value that I always hear at home. That really set in stone how I treated others. This is important because, in Youth Ministry, we are called to give, because in giving you grow not just as an individual, but as a group, or in this case, as a community. “The moment I walked onto the Tech campus four years ago, I knew I’d made the right choice. Walking through the techs and talking to the teachers made me realize that Bosco Tech was the school for me. Not only have I learned so much academically, but also spiritually, making me a more mature and responsible young adult, who can take on various tasks in not just one specific area, but multiple. “Bosco Tech had all the necessary tools and resources for me to not just look at one field of engineering, but at several options, and help me choose which one was best for me. It also had this aura of brotherhood and faith, that when I stepped on campus, it made both my parents and I feel welcomed.” “For years, Antonio has volunteered his time and energy for others,” said Mr. Rudy Herrera (AU '79), Coordinator of Youth Ministry.“The tremendous hours of service he has given have not only made a difference at Bosco Tech, but he’s also made that same kind of difference at his parish. In fact, Antonio makes a positive difference everywhere he goes and in whatever projects he involves himself. The hours he’s volunteered working in ministry, through his work with confirmation programs, youth groups and our own ministry program have undoubtedly inspired others. We pray for, and can only imagine how much of a difference he will make during his college years and beyond!” A vital member of the school’s FTC and FRC robotics, lacrosse and volleyball teams, Antonio plans to pursue a career in Civil Engineering. After earning several college acceptances and generous scholarship offers, he has chosen to attend the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Godspeed, Antonio; we are confident that you will make a positive difference on that campus too!
