As he walks from class to class, the song that plays in Osvaldo Gonzalez Cruz’s head is “El Chore” by Junior H. Cruz says he finds the song inspiring for him as he approaches the end of his senior year.

Osvaldo Gonzalez Cruz is not always a serious guy — in fact, he might be the furthest thing from it. “…Usually they think I’m, I guess, always a serious person, but you know if you’re like, always around me, I’m like always talkative. I like joking around too much! People just think I’m too serious,” Cruz said.

Cruz says his high school experience was positive, and that he was able to do a lot of personal growth throughout his career.

Cruz says his main accomplishment is that he was able to develop a good work ethic, and a strong mindset. “Freshman and sophomore year, what I lacked was not doing my work in time, always just thinking about the wrong thing — never thinking about school, you know? If I got a grade that was at least passing, like a D, I wouldn’t care about that. But, during my junior through senior year, I started taking it seriously; turning stuff in on time, doing my work, making sure my education is better, and also trying to better myself in school, and it also helped me outside of school as well.” 

Cruz encourages all upcoming high school students and anybody in the school system to develop a good work ethic sooner rather than later.

As graduation approaches, Cruz has been reminiscing about and reflecting on his high school experience. Being so close to graduation is a very unique feeling, according to Cruz.

Cruz’s message to upcoming freshmen was “Try your best in school, don’t fall behind, and also, don’t fall in love too young, man. It’s crazy, just don’t do it bro.”