ResourcesAPS Grad Defies the Odds
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Written by Jennifer Stadler
Christian Ortiz Torres, a recent Rangeview graduate, is looking forward to attending the University of Colorado, Boulder this fall. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering and to join the “gold shirts,” a mentoring program for new students.
However, Torres did not always think this was a possibility. When he first came to APS, as a fifth grader, Torres did not speak any English.
In high school, Torres and his family received devastating news. He was diagnosed with leukemia. Torres was out of school for nearly six months while undergoing chemotherapy. Through his own determination and the help of teachers and counselors, Torres graduated from Rangeview with an A+ average.
Recently, Torres earned a scholarship from the Nuñez Foundation for his determination to succeed. He shared his inspirational story with middle school students at the Nuñez Foundation’s summer camp.
Jennifer Stadler is an intern with the APS Communication Department. Jennifer is majoring in Mass Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations and Advertising at the University of South Dakota.
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