Alton Memorial Jr. High School had one of their former students and a Mission High School valedictorian drop in to speak with students recently. Jose Arturo Villanueva is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at Oxford University in England, where he is also the first Hispanic to ever be on the Oxford rowing team. Villanueva spoke to the students about overcoming hardships and the importance of not giving up. He also included messages about setting goals, having good study habits, and how preparing for a career can begin as early as junior high school.
Before entering Oxford to pursue a Master’s Degree, Villanueva earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Harvard University.