Throughout high school, Candelario "Candy" Diaz juggled a rigorous academic schedule in the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy with his heavy involvement in the school’s fine arts programs including marching band, jazz band, symphonic band, varsity show choir, chamber choir and the "Madrigals"—the high school's top singing group. He’s also participated in several musical productions and small plays.
"For school, I have always believed that you will only get what you put into it," he explains. "This idea can be applied to many aspects of life, but the main idea to understand is that life will only be as great as you make it."
Candy credits the skills he’s developed in NCPA and NCPA staff for helping him deal with the stress of high school activities and preparing for college. He’s confident he will carry those skills with him as a business major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this fall.
His parents, Angelita and Jose, agree. "The qualities we see in Candy is that he manages his time wisely and is accountable for all he does. Getting homework done is a priority. He shows leadership by not being influenced by negativity and removes himself from it.
"We know Candelario is making positive choices and focusing toward his future. He has a great group of friends in NCPA and the comfort of knowing he can go to any NCPA staff member in the time of need."
His participation in NCPA has made a positive impact on the Diaz family in other ways, too. "Candelario is a great role model to his younger sister. I have witnessed Candelario give his sister positive advice when she has struggled with homework or outside peer pressure," his mother added.
Perhaps that’s not surprising since Candy’s older siblings are positive role models for him. His brother, Alejandro, was in NCPA and graduated from Nebraska. Now Alejandro is headed to Colorado State University to pursue a master's degree in student affairs in higher education. And, Candy joined his older sister, Raquel, who attends Nebraska.
"They have all been a great support system for me, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world," Candy says.
Meanwhile, Candy says if it wasn’t for NCPA, he would be having a stressful time trying to manage his way through the transition into college.
"NCPA has exceeded the standards of preparing scholars for college. The program has molded me into a strong, well-prepared and confident student ready to take college head on."
