When Santiago first arrived at Gateway Middle School, he was shy, uncertain of himself, and felt like an outsider which stemmed from his learning differences. Now, seven years later, he is an active community leader looking to make a difference in the world.
“I’m really interested in the world around me and want to work for an organization like the United Nations where I can make a global impact,” said Santiago. Santiago will attend Lehigh University in the fall of 2018 as a member of Lehigh’s first contingent of Posse Scholars. He will major in international relations and economics.
Santiago has always had the drive to lead others but was able to progress at Gateway by acquiring the skills to manage his learning differences and by getting involved in extracurricular activities like the Garden Club and Debate Club.
“Gateway provides its students with so many opportunities to flourish in things that interest them,” said Santiago. “I’m where I am at today because of these opportunities which expose you to so many different things.”
He also credits his teachers for helping him be the person he is today. “My Gateway teachers taught me that I matter and that my ideas, thoughts, and questions matters as well.”
Santiago was recently featured in Gateway’s 15th Annual Matters of the Mind Luncheon video, Empowering Change.