For senior Milton Macolas, resilience, compassion, and determination have shaped every step of his journey. Originally, from Guatemala, Milton arrived in the United States facing the challenges of adjusting to a new country, a new school system, and a new language. This week, as a graduating senior at Village Academy High School, he is preparing to take the next step toward his future at California State University, Fullerton, where he plans to major in psychology and pursue a career helping others through mental health services.
Milton has attended Village Academy for the past three years, a place he says quickly became much more than just a school. What stood out most to him was the close-knit environment and sense of belonging he found on campus. “Village Academy has a unique aspect: excellence through community,” Milton said. “Everybody knows each other, and because of that, the school feels like a literal village. Although we are small, we have a big heart and strong community.” Adjusting to life and school in the United States was not easy. Milton recalls struggling during his first semester, especially with understanding English and communicating with teachers. At times, he responded with simple words like “okay,” “yes,” or “no” because he could not fully understand conversations happening around him.
Despite those obstacles, Milton refused to give up. Determined to improve, he dedicated himself to learning English through his ELD classes and the support of teachers who believed in him. By his second semester in the United States, his hard work paid off when he earned a 3.6 non-weighted GPA. Several staff members made a lasting impact on Milton during his high school journey, especially his English teachers. He credits Ms. Contreras for offering constant encouragement and support, describing her as a mother figure who celebrated his successes and helped guide him through difficult moments. He also credits Mr. MacLeod for pushing him to grow academically and strengthen his English skills.
“Even when I was not good at English at the beginning, he believed in me,” Milton said. “He always had great expectations for me, and that motivated me to keep improving.” Among Milton’s proudest accomplishments is receiving the 2025 Youth Leader of the Year award from the City of Pomona, along with earning the PACE Scholarship. Both honors reflect not only his academic growth, but also his commitment to leadership and service within his community. This fall, Milton will attend Cal State Fullerton, a university he chose because its welcoming community reminded him of Village Academy. He hopes to continue making a positive impact while working toward his long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. in psychology and becoming a neuropsychologist or business psychologist.
His passion for psychology is deeply personal. Milton shared that witnessing his sister struggle with depression at a young age inspired him to dedicate his future to mental health advocacy and support. He hopes to one day open psychological and wellness centers both in the United States and Guatemala to provide affordable mental health resources to underserved communities. “I believe every single person deserves low-cost or no-cost mental health support,” Milton said. Milton also hopes to support immigrants who face emotional and psychological hardships while pursuing safer and better lives. Drawing from his own experiences as an immigrant, he wants others to know they are not alone in their struggles.
As he reflects on his journey, Milton encourages other students facing challenges to believe in themselves and never allow others to define their potential. “Never listen if someone tells you what you can or cannot do,” Milton said. “Always put your expectations beyond what you think.” With his determination, compassion, and vision for helping others, Milton is leaving Village Academy ready to create meaningful change both in his community and beyond.