Jose Andrade
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2005 Scholarship Winner
Fort Hamilton High School
Kingsborough Community College
"The trailer for the 2004 Walter Salles' film The Motorcycle Diaries flashes a memorable quote, 'Let the world change you and you can change the world.' This belief is embodied by Jose Andrade, a student in both my senior English literature and College and Career Writing classes. In the time I have known Jose, I have come to appreciate him for who he is, where he's been, and where he hopes to go in a world that has left an impression on him at such a young age and, therefore, fed his own desire to bring about change where it is sorely needed."
—Joe Alvear, Teacher/Advisor
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Volunteer, Office of City Council Member Vincent Gentile
- Fundraiser and Organizer, Christmas party for children in Colombia
- Participant, National Young Leaders Conference
Excerpts from Jose's Essay
I have accomplished many things in this country that wouldn't have been possible without the help of the community. During the last holiday season, my brother, who lives in Colombia, and I decided to have a Christmas party for poor children in our country whose parents were not able to buy them a gift. The idea was not only to provide the children with a gift; it was also to make their day an unforgettable one that could, for just a moment, take them away from the social and economical struggles in which they live.
With the incredible help of Fort Hamilton High School and Starbucks Coffee, I was able to collect monetary donations and send them to Colombia. As a result, my brother and I successfully achieved our goal—giving more than 200 children the opportunity to have a Christmas gift and a huge smile in their hearts. This experience inspired me to commit myself to helping as many people as I can. This is why I am trying to create a school-based project that will continue to help these children.
In the course of this effort, I got to meet more people from my community than I did in my two years of living here—many of whom were willing to lend a hand. People who supported my cause and those who take responsibility within the community are my inspiration, motivation, and encouragement to go forward and win every battle that life brings, surpassing all limitations, and seeing beyond the horizon.
