Next week, Alec Rojas will travel more than 1,100 miles from Taylor to Great Lakes, Illinois to begin serving his country through a career in the United States Navy.
But Rojas is not shying away from the hard work ahead.
“I really hope that I can further myself as a person and be an example to my siblings,” said Rojas of his two older sisters, the oldest a graduate of University of Mary Hardin–Baylor and the other currently a student at University of North Texas in Denton. “Not just sit around.”
Indeed, in his 18 years, Rojas has done very little sitting around.
In fact, not only did Rojas just graduate from Legacy Early College High School with both an associate degree and a high school diploma, he also earned an Eagle Scout Award, the highest level of achievement through the Boy Scouts of America, through climbing seven ranks, earning more than 20 merit badges, completing a service project, serving as a troop leader and more.
Rojas, who also worked part time at Ikea, credits his mom, Rita Lopez, a single parent and immigrant from Mexico, with instilling in him his work ethic.
“My mom, she really pushed me to follow what was best and never give up on something,” Rojas said.
Low grades were not allowed and siblings were expected to support one another, Rojas said.
“When my oldest sister went away to college, it was up to me and my other sibling to maintain the house, cutting yard, trimming trees, taking care of animals,” he said.
Lopez agreed that she had high expectations for Rojas and his two sisters.
“I always push them to try and do better,” Lopez said. “He never gave me problems with anything. Maybe because I am so strict. I want my kids to go to college and have a better life. I always told them, ‘You can do anything you want in this country if you are willing to work.’” Lopez said some of the people whose houses she cleaned encouraged her kids in their dreams of attaining a college degree.
“I am so proud of my son,” said Lopez. “He wants to do more in his life. I clean houses, and my kids saw all the degrees of the people where I work, and they get so inspired to do better.”
Rojas said he became interested in the Navy because of the educational opportunities it provides including the Montgomery GI Bill, which provides up to $130,000 for college tuition.
“I would definitely say that I am interested in engineering — nuclear engineering,” he said. “I always want to have a greener, safer energy source rather than relying on fossil fuels.”
Moppy Miller, a retired school counselor for Taylor independent School District and family friend, said Rojas is a credit to the community.
“This is a good kid,” Miller said. “He has done good stuff. It is a positive that Taylor is putting out such hardworking young people. Our future is good if we have kids like this.”
