Greenville: Empowering Students Through a Brighter Future
In the heart of Greenville, a remarkable individual is making waves in the lives of students every day. Meet José Morales-Martinez, a dedicated student advocate and site coordinator for Communities In Schools at Berea High School. His mission? To inspire and lead students through the challenges they face, encouraging them to believe in themselves with the simple mantra, “sí se puede.” This Spanish phrase translates to “yes, we can,” and that’s exactly the spirit Morales-Martinez instills in his students.
Wearing Many Hats
Morales-Martinez’s role at Berea High School is anything but ordinary. He steps into various roles—father, friend, coach, teacher, mentor, and sometimes even social worker or college advisor. His diverse responsibilities stem from the fact that many of his students come from backgrounds rich in challenges and uncertainty. “A lot of the students are either coming straight from their home country to here, or they don’t know anyone who is successful, who’s done it, who’s gone to college,” he explains.
His own childhood experience shapes his passion. Growing up in Mexico City, Morales-Martinez was born into a traveling circus family. His father juggled various acts as an acrobat and animal tamer while his mother looked after the children. At just four years old, Morales-Martinez moved to Greenville with his family, where they shared a cramped apartment with another family. Despite the tight living conditions and the ongoing struggle to make ends meet, his supportive mother always emphasized community and helping those in need.
Finding Strength in Community
Throughout his youth, Morales-Martinez learned the importance of helping others, a lesson his mother embedded deep within him. “If she saw a Hispanic family who didn’t speak the language at the store or at the doctor’s office, she would tell me to go over there and help them out because it was the right thing to do,” he recalls. This commitment to fostering community spirit now shines through in his work at Berea High as he guides and motivates his students.
Shaping Future Leaders
In addition to his work at the high school, he also serves as an advisor to the Hispanic Alliance’s Student DREAMers Alliance. This program focuses on developing leadership skills among high school juniors and seniors, preparing them for brighter futures through professional development opportunities like public speaking and college guidance. Morales-Martinez sees a little bit of himself in each of these young people, understanding their struggles and aspirations. “I look at their eyes, and I hear their stories, and I hear their woes. I see the will to want to do better,” he states passionately.
Breaking Barriers
Like many of his students, Morales-Martinez faced considerable hurdles growing up. One major cloud hanging over him was his undocumented status. However, a significant shift came when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was introduced, offering him a shot at legal status. “It was huge because it gave us temporary legal status,” he shares. This newfound opportunity allowed him to apply to colleges, including Furman University, where he ultimately earned a full scholarship, becoming a first-generation college graduate.
A Message of Hope
Today, Morales-Martinez reflects on his journey and aims to inspire the next generation. “If I came from nothing, with no legal status and grew up poor, dealing with all this stuff and still managed to come up and do all this, so can these kids,” he encourages. He wants his students to look beyond their current circumstances and envision a future where they can surpass their challenges and chase their dreams.
José Morales-Martinez stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of community. With his guidance, the students of Berea High School have a shining example of what is possible when we believe in ourselves and support one another. In the spirit of his motto, let’s all embrace the thought that yes, we can create a brighter future—together.
