Columbia Heights Education Campus senior Juan Lovos “cried a little bit” when he found out he was heading to Sewanee: The University of the South next year as a POSSE Scholar. “Last year was rough. I didn’t really have aspirations for college. But my sister helped me and encouraged me to apply. Now I know that I’m able to face adversity and beat it. I’m a stronger student.” Juan has certainly shown strength outside of his rigorous class schedule as a member of ROTC for two years and a member of the Color Guard and Armed Drill Team. He is also a self-proclaimed fan of public speaking because he likes bringing his own perspective to things like religion and politics, a thing he feels comfortable doing because CHEC “takes social justice and student voices very seriously.” His biggest motivator for going to college, however, is his mother – an orphan who migrated here many years ago and just recently graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from the University of the District of Columbia. “If she can do it, I can do it.” #DCPSGoesToCollege
