10-Year-Old Dreams of Serving His Country

“Macho” isn’t his real name, and he doesn’t picture himself becoming a professional wrestler like his namesake, . This 10-year-old has plenty of confidence and doesn’t back down from a challenge whether it’s in school, on the gridiron or helping a friend in need.

Pedro Alvarez was given the nickname “Macho” by his grandfather. Pedro is heading to Seminole Middle School in the fall, leaving Oakhurst Elementary behind. It’s a new world, a bigger school with bigger kids. But he's not intimidated at all. 

“I hear there are chorus shows and band shows. If you go in chorus, they go on trips,” Pedro said. So far he’s done well when it comes to school work. 

“I mostly try to keep my grades in the average of B or A,” Pedro says. He admits he’s not perfect. “Sometimes I don’t turn in my homework.  But I usually bring up my grades when I get assignments.”

Pedro attends summer camp each day as well as after-school activities during the school year.

“Macho and his sister rode their bikes in that rain we had on Friday.  That’s how much they want to be here,” said Brandon Mai, Southwest Recreation’s camp director.

Pedro said he knows commitment counts with Mai. “I think he likes my attitude because in football even if I didn’t score a touchdown, I tried my hardest. If they scored a touchdown, I wouldn’t care; I’d just keep trying.” Pedro recently wrapped up two seasons of flag football at the recreation center with Mai.

When it comes to friendship, Pedro prides himself on being there when a friend needs comfort. 

“Sometimes when he (my best friend) is mad, I’m there to help him cool down and if he gets hurt I’m there to help him get through the pain and help him to get where he wants to go,” he said.

“We treat each other like family. We always care about each other when something happens. If I fall down and cut myself, he’d bring me to one of the coaches,” he said.

Perhaps that’s why he thinks someday he’ll become a police officer or a pro football player. “When I picture myself as a cop, I picture myself helping out my country,” Pedro said.

For now, he's following the lead of the person he looks up to most.

"I admire my mom because she stands up for herself," Pedro said. "She's teaching me to be mature."

Do you know an extraordinary child who does well in school or is helping their community? Nominate them for the next Student Spotlight by emailing editor Aiyana Baida at aiyana.baida@patch.com.