Clover Park High School sophomore Ernest Balezi never fails to seize an opportunity when one presents itself. He plays on the school basketball and soccer teams, participates in Upward Bound and the intervention club and has even appeared on TV, acting in a local commercial.
“I try to do something that will get me closer to my goals every single day,” he said. “I make sure to be involved in everything I can.”
Ernest takes advantage of every opportunity because he knows it will lead him to success as he moves forward in life. He also knows he owes it to his mom to make the most of his future. Originally from the Congo, Ernest and his family moved to Washington state when he was in sixth grade.
“She had ambitions in her life and wanted to be successful,” he said about his mother. “But when she found the chance to move here, she gave everything up with the snap her fingers, knowing the opportunities it would provide for our future.”
Hard work comes easy to Ernest and he shows confidence in everything he does. He wants his peers at Clover Park to feel as confident as he does. He is always quick to reach out to classmates who are struggling and give them the extra motivation they need to succeed.
“You never know what someone else is going through,” he said. “I’ve experienced a lot in my life, so when I have the chance to help someone and boost their confidence, I always take it.”
Leadership is one of the Four Pillars of Student Success and provides a strong foundation to help young people develop into active learners and strong citizens. Ernest shows leadership by motivating his peers to do their best have confidence in their abilities.
Though he’s only sophomore, Ernest already has his sights set on a career in medicine and even reads medical textbooks in his spare time.