Antony Perez: ‘He’s a Breath of Fresh Air’

For Antony Perez, a traditional school day was a non-starter. Throughout high school, he was working as a mechanic in his father’s car repair shop, beginning in the morning and laboring until suppertime.

Only then did he have time to work on completing his high school education. Thanks to the flexibility of St. Lucie Acceleration Academies, Antony was able to do his homework at any hour.

And at most any hour, he had plenty of support from SLAA’s coaches and advocates. And now, he’s a graduate.

Of science coach Amine Brown, Antony says: “Oh man, do you really want to know about him? He’s the pushiest teacher you could ever meet. He’s pushing me all the time.” And that, says Antony is a good thing.

Of social studies coach Orlando Ashah, Antony says: “Whenever I finish a test, he reviews it and explains it to me. I’m able to learn from that.”

Antony has had his challenges. The Guatemalan native had to learn to study in a new language. His job is demanding and left him exhausted when the time came to log on and study. And when he first began at SLAA, he acknowledges that he fell off track.

What got him back on track? He points his thumb at graduation candidate Coralynn Long. “Her,” he says with a smile. “She just kept on calling me and saying that they would help me.”

Whenever his work schedule permitted, Antony came to the academy campus. The quiet, studious atmosphere and ample one-on-one support made all the difference, he says.

Academy staff members say Antony is a pleasure to work with, a friendly and unfailingly polite young man. Says Long, “When he walks in here, he’s a breath of fresh air.”

Antony briefly considered pursuing a GED, but decided he really wants the diploma that will allow him to go to technical school and become a master mechanic. Some day, he says, he’d like to run his own shop providing auto detailing, window tinting and sound system installation.

He has two younger sisters, and would like to have a family and children of his own some day. “They can be like, ‘I want to be like him.’ It’s like me looking up to my dad.”

His example will be clear: “Hard work pays off.”