This article was authored by a local high school student as part of Lookout’s Journalism Scholarship Challenge
As students getting through high school, whether first-year students or seniors, it’s difficult to manage all these things in our lives, especially the challenges school has us face, such as preparing for college, managing schoolwork, and least talked about, mental health. When it comes to these difficulties, many students know to go to Mr. Anderson.
Bryan Anderson, a counselor at Soquel High School, grew up a troubled child, like many of the kids who have had the opportunity to have him as a counselor. He was often in and out of trouble, being sent to an alternative school. From the most intelligent students needing help with college planning to the kids who always felt a little different from their peers, Mr. Anderson knew how to help. He was raised with addicted parents who didn’t support him, so he relied on the educators and counselors in his life.
Bryan Anderson’s brother and sister didn’t attend college. With no one in his life to give him that drive to pursue further education, those key educators breathed life into him. He was the first in his family to go to college and began turning his life around, pursuing his dreams.
Today, he’s in his 23rd year of inspiring kids from Soquel High School, giving the gift that was given to him when he was going through hard times. Mr Anderson’s goal when he began his job as a guidance counselor was to help people. He says that Santa Cruz City Schools educators were the people who believed in him when no one else did, not even himself. He’s all about giving people chances; he tells people, “Stay the course, even when you don’t believe in yourself.”
In Mr. Anderson’s average day, he likes to start with some good old roots reggae. He quotes the song “Everybody Needs a Proper Education” by Mikey Dread, a famous reggae artist. He spends his time guiding teenagers to be their best person, encouraging students to follow and succeed beyond their wildest dreams. He truly believes in all of his students, having the opportunity to help 5,000-plus kids in his time as a counselor.
According to a parent of two children whom Bryan Anderson has counseled, “Brian is a good person, passionate about his job, and goes beyond the call of duty to help students and parents alike to resolve their problems; Brian is also a fun person to talk to, it’s been a real pleasure knowing him, the world would be a better place with more people like him in it.” Mr. Anderson knows how to give a hand to the most troubled people and show them what they can do.
In Mr. Anderson’s earlier years, he met a boy named Richie Gonzalez. Richie came from Mexico and was put into a job, basically getting taken advantage of at a young age. Mr. Anderson took Richie to live with him with his wife. They lived in a garage and shared their little space with him. Richie didn’t speak English and barely any Spanish; he had never even had a hamburger before. Mr. Anderson took him under his wing, teaching him some of his hobbies, like how to swim and surf. When Mr. Anderson let him off on his own, Richie Gonzales flourished as a famous surfer, managing surf shops and hiring Mr. Anderson’s daughter.
This inspiring story shows Mr. Anderson’s drive to better people; even with someone he had no obligation to help, he stepped in. According to Mr. Anderson, “Your transcript doesn’t reflect you.” He has seen high school dropouts become Stanford doctors. He isn’t afraid to tell his story to inspire others; he believes everyone deserves a chance, just like he did. If you water a struggling plant, it may grow into the most beautiful flower.
He makes everyone he talks to feel like they have a purpose and that they’re needed somewhere. Kids who don’t bat an eye at keeping good grades become happy to sit down and change after a talk with Mr. Anderson – he truly has a gift for helping people. “Even with the worst grades and the biggest problems,” he said, “that just means that you have the greatest opportunities.”