PBSC grad shares story of perseverance
Fadino Jean Louis spent much of his formative years struggling in class. Students mocked him, and teachers gave up on him.
“In elementary school I used to never be smart. Every teacher thought I would never be smart. Everybody kept saying I was too slow. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. Just give up. I never made an A-B Honor Roll. I always got perfect attendance. I was so ashamed of that,” recalled Jean Louis. “I almost did give up. My mom kept saying ‘don’t listen to those people. You got this.’ Ever since then, I kept trying to succeed.” And, succeed he did.
Jean Louis, who was diagnosed with a speech disability in elementary school, is among Palm Beach State College’s more than 2,600 spring graduates, and he plans to participate in Grad Walk to celebrate his achievement. Earning his Associate in Arts degree with a 3.7 grade point average represents the power of hard work, perseverance and a strong support system.
After his rocky start in a public elementary school, Jean Louis’ mother enrolled him in a private middle school where he received more comprehensive support from teachers. He began to flourish and made the A-B Honor Roll for the first time, an achievement he continued. He said he received that same level of attention and support from teachers at Somerset Academy Key Middle/High School, a public charter school in Deerfield Beach where he completed his high school diploma. “My sixth-grade teacher was helping me through everything,’’ he said. “My seventh-grade teacher told me I was the hardest working person she ever met.”
After graduating from high school in 2018, Jean Louis enrolled at PBSC’s Boca Raton campus and later registered with the Center for Student Accessibility, which provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to a quality education.
“I always try to not let my disability get me down. A disability is not something to be down about,’’ Jean Louis said. “You’re just a normal person; you just learn differently from other people. You still can do everything else. If another person can do it in one day, and you can do it in three days, that’s good. You can still do it; you just have to do it on your own terms.”
At PBSC, Jean Louis took advantage of tutoring and other services and continued to work hard. “Everything I do, I give 110 percent, even in college,’’ he said. “I used to go to math tutoring lab and stay there three to four hours while other students stay one or two hours.”
Jean Louis will continue his education at PBSC this summer to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He hopes to create his own business to help people in need.
He said he is thankful for his mom, a single mother who raised him as her only child, and the teachers who provided the extra support he needed. “I proved everybody wrong,’’ he said. “My mom always gave me the support I needed. Even if I’m down she says ‘you can do this. Focus on you. I believe in you.’ ’’
Amazing, Fadino! Congratulations on your achievement!
Congratulations, Fadino! It was an absolute pleasure having you as a student.
You are truly an inspiration Mr. Fadino Jean Louis. Congratulations, you are destined for greatness!
Thank you so very much for your courage to share your story Fadino, the power of perseverance!
I must wish you ALL the best with your continued foray into your education, and especially, much hugs & love to our Mother, from me.
To your Teachers that gave you the support, big Thank You’s to each of them (from 1 teacher to the next).
Also, Mrs. Dalila Rodriquez, thank you for what you do on behalf of our students!
Fandino, Godspeed!
Prof. Thomas
Well done Fadino! You continued to pursue your dreams and goals; despite negativity, failures, obstacles and discouragement.
Continue on with your education, you have tasted success and there is much more in the future.
Your story is truly an inspiration.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations on this amazing achievement! You should be very proud of yourself for never giving up or allowing any obstacles to come in the way of reaching your goals. Wishing you continued success!
Congratulations Fadino!! What an amazing story of a devoted mother who valued and inspired you and gave you the courage to persevere when others wanted to shame you for being different!! Kudos to your mom, your teachers, your advisors and you who all worked hard together to reach to this story of completion!! Felicitations & Courage!!
Congrats! I don’t know you but reading this story was compelling to me. Keep up the hard work and never give up!
Congratulations, Fadino! I’ve seen the hard work up close! The long hours studying are paying off, and you are an inspiration to our students, faculty, and staff.
So inspiring, congratulations!! 👏👏
Congratulations, Fadino! You are an inspiration to our students!
Awesome! Congratulations Fadino! Best wishes, thanks for sharing your story.
Awesome! I don’t know you Fadino, but your story touched my heart. You have what it takes already inside you to achieve any goal you you want to achieve. Thank you for being a positive influence in all that you do.
Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for all your future endeavors! So awesome that you’re continuing your education at PBSC!
Congratulations, I’m so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your story!
Great job Fadino, you keep us believing we can do it too!
Thank you for sharing your story Fadino! You remind all of us why we do what we do! All the best in the BAS program!
A true testament to perseverance. Stay focused on the task ahead and go after it.
Congratulations Fadino! The statement you made saying, “I always try to not let my disability get me down. A disability is not something to be down about,’’ really touched me. I agree wholeheartedly.
I wish you ALL the best in your future endeavors!
Congratulation Fadino! for sharing your story and I want you to know that your story is similar to mine. As a child I was always slow to learning compared to my other siblings, but they used to tease me and discouraged me by telling me that I will never be able to know how to read, and will never mount to anything because I grew up in PAP Haiti. However, I did not let none of that deterred me. Instead I kept on believing in myself. Later on, I graduated from High school in Haiti moved to the US, obtained my AA Degree at Miami Dade College. Finally, I had just obtained with my BAS in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Health Care at Palm Beach State College last fall with the help of God, professors, staff members, my sister and my only child. I was able to beat the odds of life. Now, I’m going to start with my Masters at FIU in the fall. GOOD LUCK STAY FOCUS YOU WILL GET THERE. DONT LET NO CIRCUMTANCES DICTATE WHAT YOU CAN DO.