Student Spotlights

Congratulations to Alejo Jimenez, LVSC's 2026 Student of the Year!

Alejo, a musician from Paraguay, came to LVSC in the fall of 2023 looking for some English literacy help. He was paired with tutor Christopher Paul Yen, and they got to work. Alejo’s goal was to improve his English enough so that he could further his career here in the U.S. as a guitarist, sound engineer, composer and music teacher.

Alejo said early on he was frustrated by his inability to “be himself” without the tools to fully express himself in English:

I was afraid of losing myself. Afraid of abandoning my art, my sense of humor, the way I connect with people and with the world. Because as an immigrant, I had already left behind my family and my friends. And for me, that feeling of abandonment was already heavy enough.

With focused lessons and lots of hard work, Alejo did not lose himself - he found himself! He has reached numerous milestones over the past couple of years and gained enormous confidence in communicating in English.

Learning English did not erase my identity. It gave me another bridge. Another way to express myself. Another way to connect. And that changed everything.

Among the changes: many job offers. Alejo is working as a sound engineer, school crossing guard and music teacher.

Chris and Alejo.Grateful for friendship and mentorship from his LVSC tutor Chris, Alejo is honored to give back. He and his wife, Sarah Aquino, performed at LVSC’s Annual Meeting in June.