When Antonio began thinking about life after high school, college was not originally part of his plan. The cost of higher education felt like a major obstacle, so he expected to join the military instead.
“Before I went into foster care, I thought I was just going to go into the military because I didn’t want to pay for college,” Antonio said.
However, as Antonio learned more about the educational resources available to young people who have experienced foster care, he began to see another path forward. Staff supporting him repeatedly encouraged him to consider college and helped him understand the opportunities available to him.
Today, Antonio is studying biology, competing as a Division II lacrosse player, and taking summer classes that could allow him to complete his undergraduate degree in three years.
“Maybe I’m locked in,” he joked when asked about his ambitious schedule.
Finding a Career That Fits
Antonio hopes to become an optometrist. His interest in the field began during an unexpected trip to Walmart to have his glasses fixed. When he learned that the optometrist was unavailable because he was on vacation, Antonio became curious about the profession.
“I was just like, wow, he’s really going on vacation in the middle of the year,” Antonio recalled.
The moment encouraged him to research optometry and consider whether it aligned with the future he wanted. Although his career-selection process includes Antonio’s characteristic sense of humor, it also reflects something important: He has taken time to think intentionally about the income, responsibilities and lifestyle he wants from his future career.
For Antonio, higher education is not simply something he is expected to complete. It is a tool that can help him build the kind of life he has chosen for himself.
Learning to Adapt
Antonio entered foster care during the second semester of his sophomore year of high school. By then, adapting to change had already become a familiar part of his life.
“I’ve never really stayed in the same house my whole life because I’ve been dealing with the custody thing the whole time,” he explained. “I was moving around house to house from childhood.”
Once he entered foster care, Antonio was able to remain in the same home and continue attending the same school through graduation. That stability gave him a strong foundation as he prepared for adulthood.
After high school, Antonio transitioned into Impact Living Services’ Independent Living program. Living more independently required another adjustment, but it also gave him a place to determine what he wanted his next steps to be.
“It really helped having somewhere just to be to figure out where I’m going,” he said.
Impact also helped Antonio access additional opportunities, including camps and other experiences that supported his goals. He eventually moved into a college dorm, where he now balances the demands of academics and athletics.
Focusing on What Matters Most
Antonio is quick to acknowledge that balancing college, a job and lacrosse can be difficult. His experience has taught him that success does not always come from doing as many things as possible. Sometimes, it comes from identifying what matters most and giving it your full attention.
“You shouldn’t divide yourself into too many areas,” Antonio said. “You can find yourself falling short just because you’re doing too much.”
For Antonio, education remains the priority because it creates opportunities in every other part of his life.
“You probably should just focus more on school over the two other things because that’s what’s going to take you the furthest,” he explained. “I wouldn’t be able to go to lacrosse without school.”
His advice for other young people is straightforward: Do not allow unfinished responsibilities to pile up or prevent you from moving forward.
“If you want to reach your goals, just never put anything off,” Antonio said. “If you have something to do, you should really just do it.”
“Don’t let anything hold you back. Just do what you have to do that day, and you’ll find yourself being pretty successful.”
Creating a New Example
Although Antonio tends to minimize his accomplishments, he has already achieved several milestones that are uncommon within his family.
“Not many people graduate high school in my family, and I did that,” he said. “Not many of us go to college. So I guess that’s pretty cool, too.”
He is also proud of completing his first year as a Division II lacrosse player. However, his greatest motivation is not a degree, a sport or a future salary. It is the opportunity to set an example for his two younger brothers.
“My biggest motivation is my two brothers—being a very good role model for them,” Antonio said. “Just because they got put in the system, I want to show them that they can be successful like I’m going to be.”
Antonio wants his brothers to know that experiencing foster care does not have to limit their future.
“They can go to college. They can play sports. They can hold down a good career,” he said. “I just want to be a very good role model for them and show them that someone from their bloodline can do some good—and that they also will, too.”
Your Next Step Can Change Your Future
Antonio’s journey demonstrates that a young person does not need to have every part of life figured out before taking the next step. Plans can change. Interests can develop in unexpected places. New opportunities can emerge when someone is willing to listen, ask questions and use the resources available to them.
Higher education will look different for every student. It may mean attending a four-year university, beginning at a community college, completing a certification program or learning a skilled trade. What matters is finding a path that supports the future they want to create.
For youth currently in foster care or preparing to transition into adulthood, Antonio’s message is clear: Focus on what will take you forward, use the support available to you and complete the task in front of you today.
One decision at a time, those steps can become a degree, a career and an entirely new example for the people coming behind you.
*Antonio generously shared his story with us and gave permission for it to be featured here.
Learn more about Independent Living at Impact Living Services.