When Joao Vickttor “Joveto” De Carvalho '15 walks across the stage at the College of the Holy Cross Commencement exercises, not only will he be the first member of his family to graduate college, he will also be the first student from Nativity School of Worcester -- a middle school for boys from low-income families -- to graduate from Holy Cross.
Born in Brazil, De Carvalho and his little sister were raised by their mother in Worcester. “A few months after we had arrived in the U.S. my father left. My mother had to take care of us – not knowing any English, having little money, and not having any American friends yet. My mother provided for us by working multiple jobs: cleaning houses, making t-shirts in a factory, and working at Dunkin’ Donuts.”
De Carvalho says since he was too young to work at the time, “I was taught the way I could work hard to better my life and provide for my family was to value my education.”
De Carvalho had just 10 children in his class at Nativity School, he says the school opened many doors for him. “Nativity saw the potential I had as a student and provided me with mentors and resources that allowed me to flourish,” he explains.
When De Carvalho entered Holy Cross, he inspired his mother to attend college. “She studied college level math and also took some ESL classes,” he shares.
While at Holy Cross, De Carvalho continued to give to others. He participated in many service programs including a spring break immersion trip to Alabama and another to El Salvador. He also tutored Nativity Worcester students.
After graduation, De Carvalho will return to the school that gave him so much – he has accepted a position as a Nativity Teaching Fellow for the next two academic years, beginning in July 2015. “It’s important to give back to a community that once helped you,” he shares.
Worcester News Tonight sits down with De Carvalho, his mother and administrators from Nativity Worcester and Holy Cross.
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First Nativity School of Worcester Student to Graduate from Holy Cross
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