Octavio Rodriguez came to the United States five years ago from Cuba. He learned to love computers and baseball, but school never caught on. He spoke little English.
After three years at Jefferson High School, Octavio's report cards had mostly F's and he was still a freshman.
"I used to be a bad student," said Octavio, now 17. "Not bad conduct. I used to go to sleep in class."
That changed in a matter of months. In April, he was named Jefferson's Turnaround Achievement Award winner.
He credits his girlfriend, Elian Hernandez, whom he met in an English class last year. She was also from Cuba, arriving in Florida just a week after Octavio's family. But Elian was different from Octavio. She loved making the honor roll.
The two began talking, then dating. Then Elian pressed Octavio to do better in school.
When she stayed after school to tutor other students, he'd stay and get help. When Octavio needed to do a class project, she'd help him brainstorm ideas and pull the pieces together. Octavio would do the pasting and Elian would add the details, she said.
"You know, he's a boy. Boys don't decorate well," Elian said.
Octavio realized that if he had to spend time in school, he might as well do the work, he said. He also wanted to impress Elian.
"I started to think I wasn't good enough for her, but I wanted to be," Octavio said. "At least, I wanted to keep up with her."
Octavio's grade-point average began to rise. Last year, he had a 0.7. In March, his average rose to 2.0.
Octavio recently learned that he passed the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, a graduation requirement. He's also completing night school to compensate for the classes he failed.
He plans to attend the International Academy of Design & Technology for a career in computers. Elian is going to the University of South Florida.
He also wants to try out for minor league baseball after he turns 18 in July.
Octavio says he's on the right path and, if he veers off it, Elian will be there to give him a nudge.
"I tell him, "You work too hard to give up now,' " she said.
