Matthew Gonzales has been dreaming of the moment he gets to walk across the stage to get his diploma.
“My family is my motivation," he said. "They have always encouraged me and now its time to take that next step."
The Southwest High School senior is graduating with a great academic record and high leadership positions within JROTC. He is the highest ranking cadet in the program.
“He’s a caring and compassionate leader,” said Commander Colonel Steven Scioneaux. “He cares about the students that he is responsible for. He didn’t ask for the position, I saw his potential. He was organized and very disciplined.”
JROTC helped Matthew come out of his shell and taught him how to manage his time.
“I learned how to work efficiently and it kept me disciplined,” he said.
Matthew is also a violinist and aspiring orchestra conductor. He's played for eight years and has received a music scholarship to University of Texas-Arlington. His goal is to earn is doctorate in music.
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“Some of my friends couldn’t believe that I was in ROTC and in orchestra playing the violin," he said. "With music, I can express emotion. Something takes over in my body and in my spirit. There’s no audience, there’s just the ensemble and the conductor."
