As Thomas Edison once said: There is no substitute for hard work. This is a mantra that junior Jesus Cardenas takes very seriously in many aspects of his life, both literally and physically.

“I don’t mind school but I don’t like it and it’s not what I’m good at, I’ve never made straight A’s but that’s okay because I’m good at other things,” Cardenas said. “I’m good at working, if someone gives me instructions on how to do something then I’ll get it done, and I’ll do it well.”

Jesus’ ability to work has earned him the assistant manager position at his after school job at Dickies Barbeque.

“I like my job, and I work pretty often but what I plan on doing after high school is going to a technical school in Houston,” Cardenas said. “Then I can get at good job and maybe move cities.”

But for now, Jesus states that he is happy that he is alive and in good health. He has escaped death three times since his birth.

“The thing I am most thankful for is life, and to be alive,” Cardenas said. “I almost died when I was little because I had really bad health issues; I was born prematurely. Now I am glad that I have overcome all of that and am at a much healthier point in my life.