I left Mexico to escape hunger and sickness at the tender age of ten. I crossed the border all alone, leaving behind my family and an abusive step father. I was raised in East L.A. by my grandparents - the lone grandson among my 13 aunts and uncles. I literally fought for everything. At 12, I started boxing. On my way to competition, the gangs jumped me to force an initiation. Before the first bell, I was bloodied and bruised from my fight outside the ring. Across the street from our 2 bedroom house was the Boys and Girls Club where a man named Archie ran the basketball program. He was a selector for Pyles Boys Camp taking applications for the summer of 82. I was not a candidate because I couldn’t speak English, so I learned my first words in English, “I want to go to camp”. I insisted many times, but everything was stacked against me including a late application. Archie told me the only way I can go was if someone dropped out. I knew the chances weren’t too good because they were leaving in two days. At 9pm, the night before camp was to begin, I got my phone call. A boy had unfortunately broke his leg. The next day, I was the last one to board the bus, forever changing the trajectory of my life.

I discovered an incredible world in the middle of the Sequoia National Forrest. I immediately connected with the spirit of camp. After my first summer, my desire burned to go back and reach the next goal. In 1985, I was a Lioneer, then became a worker. 1987 was a challenging year and I needed to escape the city. When summer arrived, the mountains called. I wanted a job as a dishwasher, but Rocky and God had different plans for me. I became a counselor and received the greatest gift of all - learning the true meaning of love - helping those in need. Since then, I went all the way through the ranks, including Assistant Director, Program Director, Outreach Coordinator, and counseled hundreds of at-risk boys just like myself - helping change their status from at-risk to empowered.

The foundations of camp helped me to achieve my life goals and education, reaching heights I never dreamed possible, including Pyles helping me becoming an American Citizen. I attended four years of college, including business school, and I am a full-time boxing coach - teaching my athletes the discipline of camp for both inside and outside the ropes. I am now the Head Coach for the California Golden Gloves Team and train pro boxers. In the boxing world, I go by the name “Superman” - yes, that’s a superhero’s name, but the true legend is “Dolphin” - my camp name. I take pride in that name because it came through hard work and understanding the meaning of life. There are many other Dolphins out there waiting for an opportunity like the one I got 40 years ago. Dreams are not possible unless someone helps you create them into reality. Pyles was my dream catcher and showed me that the world was a much bigger place than my few safe blocks that I grew up in East LA.

-Dolphin