Childhood was very tough for Jeremy Estrada, growing up in a crime-ridden section of Los Angeles, surrounded by gang activity-his family separated since he was the age of ten. When he was only 12 years old, he witnessed his best friend's death after six gang members jumped from a car, stabbed him and fled. Jeremy was left alone to watch, while unable to prevent, the death of the only "big brother" and true role model he had ever known. Anger consumed Jeremy and he quickly found himself turning to violence, assaulting his peers and spending more time engaged in the gang lifestyle. The ensuing behavior passed him from one court placement and/or group home to another, where he got hot meals, a bed to sleep in and some constructive guidance, but no real treatment for his anger. His violent behavior eventually escalated to more serious offenses.
It was not until Jeremy turned himself in after running from the police that things began to change. He was sent to Rite of Passage, a wilderness challenge program tucked in the Nevada desert, 15 miles from the nearest paved road. Unlike his previous placements, Rites of Passage offered Estrada positive reinforcement. A year into the program, he met a teacher who showed genuine interest in him and lit a spark. Jeremy began to channel his anger into physical fitness and intellectual challenge, and earned his high school diploma. With the encouragement of his counselors and his father, he then decided to attend college. He earned straight A's while at junior college, was student body President of the Hispanic Student Association and a student ambassador. He worked for Rite of Passage during school vacations.
Junior college prepared Jeremy to attend and earn his Bachelors degree from Pepperdine University, after which he decided to attend graduate school to study Neuroscience. He is currently enrolled at Georgetown Medical School and intends to use his skills and experiences to continue to "give back" to disadvantaged youth and communities.
See all winners of Spirit of Youth Award.
