Student spotlight

This archived article was written by: Terlynn Westphal

Kevin Soto, from Mexico, has lived in the United States six years. He calls West Valley home, and attended Granger High School. Soto participated in theatre and was involved in Latinos in Action which, he says, was probably his favorite thing. “Latinos in Action is considered a service club, but emphasized on Latinos. It makes us feel comfortable and it really made me feel more at home.”
Once Soto completes his general education, he plans to focus on studies in aviation at Utah Valley University, as he wants to be an airline pilot. Soto also intends to achieve “The basic American Dream: get a house and good employment for my family and visit places with my best friends. That is my main goal. I also plan to visit all 50 U.S. states, but right now, will just focus on my education to get a base laid out first.”
Soto recognizes many ways that the society could be improved. “First, I would like society to think more rational than emotion based. We all have different emotions, but when we think rationally, we think more effectively. Also, I really want people to know that this world is not safe, but everybody deserves a haven of swords.”
He explains a “haven of swords” as a sanctuary of sort. He understands that life is rough and hopes that college can be a refuge for students and a small version of the world at the same time.
He understands that life is not fair and applies the story of David and Goliath to his own life experience. Small obstacles prepare you to face larger obstacles. “It is all about patience, motivation and the persistence to keep moving forward. That is how successful people think. It’s okay to fall. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to receive wounded. But it is not okay to give up.”