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MIDDLETOWN — When his family first moved to Middletown from Puerto Rico, John Cordero struggled with school and was one of few Hispanic students.

"Before I got off the bus, I would start crying," he said. "Elementary was kind of a lonely time. I didn't have anybody to turn to except my parents and my grandfather."

Eight years later, John is graduating with honors and has formed a group at Middletown High School, Latinos Unidos, dedicated to helping other Hispanic students succeed in school.

Cordero glows when he describes the successes of the other students in Latinos Unidos — like a student who moved to Middletown recently from the Dominican Republic, "didn't speak a lick of English" and passed all five portions of the Ohio Graduation Test this year.

"It's kind of a family environment," he said. "Even if you don't know about the group, you're still in it."

When the Cordero family first moved to Middletown, fewer than 10 of the 69 Hispanic students were English language learners. In 2006-07, there were 204 Hispanic students and 150 were learning the language.

In Ohio schools, 73.8 percent of Hispanic students graduated from high school in 2006; that rate falls to 63.7 percent for Hispanic students who are considered English language learners.

The family moved to Middletown after visiting another relative here and seeing the resources that would be available for John's mother, Lourdes, his father and sister, who has Down syndrome.

"Culturally, Puerto Ricans, they like to stay all together," she said.

When the family moved, Lourdes and her husband, Wilson, were nearing completion of their bachelor's degrees.

After four years, Lourdes went back to school and graduated from Wright State University this year with a degree in Spanish.

Tonight, the family will celebrate its second graduation this year when John and the Class of 2008 graduate at Princeton Pike Church of God.

"I think (John's) an example that he had a lot of barriers ... he did succeed," said Lourdes. "He's an example not only for the Latino community, but for all young people."

Student wasn't foiled by barriers

At 10 years old, John Cordero didn't speak English, but it took him only two months to learn "the basics."

The Cordero family, including mother Lourdes, father Wilson and Keven, who will be an MHS freshman next year, and 8-year-old Abiel, who is in the English as a Second Language program at Wildwood Elementary School, faced challenges beyond language barriers when they moved to Middletown.

John struggled against stereotypes, his mother said.

"Not all people, because they are Latino, are Mexican," she said. "Not all people, because they are Latino, are illegals. Not all people because they are Latino, eat tacos and chile."

And John also had to struggle with his parents to get them to understand parts of their new culture, like his desire to play football.

When he started his sophomore year, his mother would see him come home covered in bruises and took him to the doctor.

"It's not our sport in Puerto Rico," John, who also played baseball, said.

But by his senior year, the Cordero family was in the stands for every game, even travelling to Massillon for the season opener.

"We're a fan now," his mother laughed.

John will play football at Mount Union College, near Cleveland, where he has received a full academic scholarship and will study international business. He has been chosen for this year's Miami Valley North-South All-Star Game June 13 with fellow seniors Da'Jouir Cornnielies and Daryl Conley.

While at Middletown High School, John was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was awarded the GMC All Academic Award three years and was selected to attend the Anthony Muñoz Youth Leadership Conference twice. He also was the first Anothony Muñoz Straight 'A' Award finalist since Jeff See.

"It was hard but I overcame all that," he said of his experience. "I didn't care what people thought, I just tried my best in everything I did."

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2805 or mgildow@coxohio.com.

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