My name is Jose Rodriguez, and I attended Pride Academy from 2008-2012. I am a United States Marine as well as a Firearm and Explosive K-9 handler. All that means is that I have a cool dog that searches for dangerous things to keep people safe. Let me tell you a little something about Pride Academy Charter School and how it has shaped me into the person I am today. The core values of Peace, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy are the foundational pillars of success and happiness. Before learning these critical keys to life, I managed to live an angry, undisciplined life. Through Pride Academy, I learned to not just understand these core values, but apply them to my daily life. I had great teachers and proper leadership from Pride, and I can honestly say I’d be lost in life without them. Having people like Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Altamirano, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Thomas, and Ms. Dumenigo (and I can name many more) caring not only about my education, but my development as a person, was the best thing that could have happened to me. Thank you, Pride Academy, for who you have made me TODAY!