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Injuries Motivate Graduate to Excel Academically, Athletically
Injuries may have sidelined Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School 2018 graduate Mateo Contreras throughout his high school career, but they also turned out to be his greatest motivators.
In his sophomore year, Mateo experienced a rare break to his tibia when an opponent fell on his leg while playing soccer a day before school began. Doctors told him he would possibly be wheelchair-bound six months, he said. Then, in his senior year while playing varsity football Mateo -- a linebacker and running back on the Eagle squad -- was hit by an opponent while making a catch, injuring the same leg once again.
The first injury was expected to keep Mateo sidelined six months. He calls the experience long and boring, but one that changed things for him.
He was committed to recovering physically and advancing academically. For a month and a half, he was homeschooled before returning to classes. The experience, Mateo said, helped him learn to take responsibility for his education.
Once a student who solely depended on teachers to lead him through his academic work, he said he learned to take it upon himself to study outside school.
“All the things I missed, I wanted to recover,” Mateo said.
The second injury sidelined Mateo half the season. The injury motivated him once again, he said.
“No matter what comes in your way … there’s always a way to go over it and keep following your dreams,” he said. “Live life with no regrets because tomorrow is not promised.”
Mateo graduated Saturday, June 2, with a 3.6 grade point average and number 42 out of a class of 166. He plans to study mathematics at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
-FWISD-
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