My name is Jose Padilla, and I am a senior at Kensington High School. I’ve been part of Rock to the Future for two years. I started by playing the piano, and now I’m learning the drums. While I’m not a student ambassador, I’ve naturally taken on a leadership role within the program as an upperclassman.
When I first joined, I was amazed at how welcoming this community was. Even though I joined later than most students, I felt accepted right away by everyone involved. Many of my friends were already in the program, and they helped me adjust by showing me around and introducing me to the space. The mentors were also incredibly supportive. They helped me catch up on learning the piano and encouraged me to get involved in activities. Through this, I was able to strengthen existing friendships and make so many new ones.
One of the best things about Rock to the Future is that I’ve always felt like I could be myself. I never had to pretend to be someone I’m not. I could make the kind of jokes I’d normally save for my close friends, and I felt comfortable being social without any anxiety. This community understands me so well, and it inspired me to commit to its mission of providing youth like me with the skills to succeed in music.
The education and experiences I’ve gained from this program mean so much to me. My only regret is not joining sooner. One of the reasons this community is so special to me is the connection I’ve built with my mentors and the friendships I’ve made. My mentors don’t just feel like teachers—they feel like friends. We’ve spent countless hours laughing, bonding over music and our favorite bands, and working on improving my skills, whether on piano or drums. My friends in the program have also been a big part of my growth. We’ve made music together and helped each other improve our craft.
Another reason I value this program so much is how understanding and flexible it has been with my schedule. I’ve been involved in multiple extracurricular activities, including playing on the volleyball team. During volleyball season, the Rock to the Future team worked with me to ensure I could balance both commitments. They supported me in making it to volleyball practice and then leaving early with my coach’s permission so I could still participate in the music program.
Thank you for your support of Rock to the Future. It’s because of you that we can continue doing great things as a community. I hope my story inspires you to keep supporting the students and this program. I’m so thankful for being welcomed as my true self, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about this amazing community.
