Need a little inspiration in your life? You'll find it in this episode of Petey Podcast! Elyria High School Senior Dereck Lopez Guzman came to Elyria, Ohio from Puerto Rico just two years ago. He spoke no English, and he and his family arrived just before the pandemic, making it that much harder for him to learn the language. For a teenager entering an American high school for the first time ever, these obstacles could seem insurmountable. Dereck only worked harder, and became more determined than ever to learn. He worked closely with his EL teacher at Elyria High School, Maria Gilmore, and he did something that Gilmore said is rare for students who don't speak the language to do: he signed up to play a sport. It was baseball that caught Dereck's eye. Elyria Baseball Coach Ed Piazza was instantly impressed by Dereck's drive and "coachability." He wasn't afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. Dereck quickly made friends on the team and started picking up the English social language. He earned the team position of pitcher, and he was good. On June 8, 2021, Dereck will graduate from Elyria High School. His skills on the field were noticed at the college level, and Dereck has committed to play baseball as a pitcher for the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!