CREATING PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY

Ruben Roque Castro

Future Judicial Circuit Judge

“I was always taught to take my academics seriously because what I couldn’t accomplish with my hands I could accomplish with my mind,” said Ruben Castro of Fort Myers, Florida.  Disabled since birth with muscular dystrophy, Ruben credits his hard working parents for giving him the courage and confidence to pursue his dreams.

The road to college has been a long and difficult one for Ruben.  He has had more than 15 surgeries, broken his leg six times, endured constant and painful physical rehabilitation, and suffered emotionally and socially from growing up permanently wheelchair-bound.  Someday he hopes to be able to drive a car.

In spite of his uphill climb to independence, Ruben is a born leader and inspiration to all those around him.  He maintained a near perfect grade point average in high school, earning further distinction as a National Honor Society member for three consecutive years.   Ruben has also participated in the Able Trust Youth Leadership Forum of Tallahassee, Florida, and performed in solo and group chorale competitions throughout the country.  He has been singing since he was in fourth grade and won many awards over the years.  Among his proudest moments is being recognized as Best Soloist for the 2006 International High School A Cappella Organization. 

Ruben is aptly known as “Rocky” by his peers and family, because of his sheer tenacity to seize life fully and never give up.  He is presently a freshman at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, working towards a B.A. in criminal justice.  He hopes one day to be appointed a Judicial Circuit Judge.  He is grateful to the Western Union Foundation for this scholarship as it eases the burden on his parents, who have had to work three and four jobs at a time to support him over the years.