“I feel like I have become a better person because of being at NHA schools,” Sammy reflected. “It felt like home, all the teachers and people were excited to be there.”
That feeling of home was shared by the entire Rodriguez family. Sammy is the youngest of four siblings to go through the NHA network. His mother, Ginger Rodriguez, recalled how early on, NHA staff went above and beyond for her son, even helping notice a tongue-tie at a young age so the family could get him the right support.
Ginger noted that the seamless partnership between Walton and Oakside Prep made the transition to Oakside Prep much more comfortable for Sammy.
“The staff always took time out of their day to help my kids. Sammy has blossomed into a thoughtful young man who is always eager to learn,” Ginger noted.
Inspired to Serve Others
Following in the footsteps of three older siblings could have been daunting, but Sammy used his family's legacy as inspiration to carve his own path. Watching his older sister enter the medical field ignited his own passion for science and helped him grow his love for math.
“I look up to my older sister. I want to be like her," he said. "She has gone into the medical field. She inspired me to become a vet or maybe a doctor or nurse in the future.”
This desire to care for others ties directly into the Moral Focus™ virtue that Sammy held closest to his heart throughout his daily life: compassion. For him, the school experience was about lifting up those around him.
“I think compassion is my favorite virtue. I want to get to know a person and try to make their day as good as it could be," he explained. "It’s not all about me, I want to make others have a good day.”
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Sammy's time at Oakside Prep was defined by both academic and personal growth. While participating in the Early Middle College program, he faced a high-stakes presentation that initially pushed him out of his comfort zone.
“I didn’t feel like I was ready for it, but I tried my best," Sammy recalled. "My teacher came up to me at the end of the class and told me that was the best one she had seen that day. I loved that feeling, and I wanted to keep it up.”
That pivotal moment instilled a drive to always feel prepared and give his absolute best. The academic rigor of the Early Middle College program gave him a realistic preview of the workload ahead, while Oakside Prep provided a strong foundation of Moral Focus™ virtues that he planned to carry with him into university.
This fall, Samuel will be taking his talents to Rochester Christian University. While he has not yet declared a specific major, he’s already finding opportunities to express his love for STEM.
“I am not yet decided, but I am excited to jump into the clubs they offer," Samuel said. "I’m going to join the STEM club, and I am really excited.”
The entire NHA family is incredibly proud of the compassionate, driven, and hardworking young man Samuel has become. There is no doubt he will do incredible things at Rochester Christian University and beyond.
Congrats, Sammy! Best of luck at Rochester Christian!
About Oakside Prep Academy
Oakside Prep Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Waterford, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through high school. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Oakside Prep Academy's blog to read more stories like this.