David Espinoza Cervantes: ‘I Came Over Here for a Better Life’

Two years after moving to the United States from his native Mexico, David Espinoza Cervantes has his American dream firmly in mind. He’d like to become an electrician, build a family, and return to his hometown to build a school so students can study close to home.

When David was growing up, he had to travel to a school in a town 3 hours away, living with an aunt and only seeing his parents once a week. He came to the United States to complete his education and build a solid future not only for himself but also for others.

“I came over here for a better life,” says the 19-year-old.

David came to Lowcountry Acceleration Academy after meeting frustration at the traditional high school where he began his American education. As a student just learning English, he sometimes had trouble keeping up with lessons in crowded classrooms. He came to LAA to take advantage of the ample one-on-one coaching and the chance to learn at his own pace.

He took full advantage of of the opportunities, says Janell Reyes, a Spanish-speaking graduation candidate advocate who works closely with David and other English language learners. And now he’s a graduate.

“He is super-dedicated and down-to-earth,” says Reyes. “It’s a pleasure to have David here.”

The 19-year-old works full-time with his brother, who is an electrician, and he appreciates the flexible schedule offered by LAA. Despite his other commitments, he powered through his coursework. He was one of 3 graduation candidates to earn a free Thanksgiving dinner for their families as a reward for strong academic achievement — and he recently joined the inaugural group of LAA grads to celebrate their diplomas.

“I felt like I couldn’t do well in the classes. But then I realized I could pass the classes, despite the language barrier,” David said at commencement. “I’m so excited for my graduation.”