2009 DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
Check out all of the 2009 Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholars
GEORGE WEST — He could have used it as a crutch. An excuse to avoid the hard work that would have accompanied recovery. But he didn’t.
In fact, even after Joseph Lopez blew out his knee with 3 minutes left in the state quarterfinal football game last fall he never missed an assignment.
“I almost feel like I lost it for us,” he said.
But in the end Joseph saw the bigger picture beyond that one game and that one season. His greater goal was to be only the second in his family to go to college.
Because of his ability to dust himself off and keep moving despite his obstacles, Joseph has been named a winner in the 2009 Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholars in the Achiever category.
Joseph, 17, is a senior at George West High School, where he is ranked 15th in his class of 100 students and maintains a 94.03 grade average. He plans to attend the Art Institute of Austin, where he will study movie production and editing.
Bridget Emerson, who nominated Joseph for the award, said she was moved by his dedication and spirit.
“I never heard him make excuses. He stayed positive and focused,” she said.
And in the end Joseph was able to stay on top of things academically and return to the football field for his final year as a tailback for the Longhorns.
Joseph has taken a variety of advanced placement courses throughout his high school career as well as participated in sports, Student Council and volunteer work outside of school. His favorite subject is math.
“Joseph has so many wonderful attributes,” Emerson said. “But I would have to say that his best quality is that he gives his all to everything he does.”
In his spare time, Joseph is a clerk at the local grocery store where he earns money for his personal bills such as his car and cell phone. He said his parents, Jose and Senaida Lopez, are his greatest inspiration. He wants to do well as a tribute to them.
So Joseph will continue to push forward and succeed — no excuses necessary.