Honduran refugee became ‘el campion’ to friends at Gig Harbor High

Several interested friends and acquaintances have mentioned to me a “remarkable young man,” Jairo Urbina, a 2020 graduate of Gig Harbor High and Student of Distinction, as someone meriting mention in Kids’ Corner.

When we finally made contact, Jairo joined me for lunch at Il Lucano. Over food, we chatted. I tried in vain to draw him out on all that he has accomplished. He is simply unimpressed with himself and, without voicing it, seems to wonder “why all the fuss over me.” When our bill came, Jairo wanted to pay it. I said, “you’re my date; when I’m your date, you can pay.” He smiled.

Students of Distinction is an annual program co-sponsored by The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation and The Gateway, which seeks to honor outstanding seniors from the city’s two high schools.

Peninsula Schools EL Coordinator, Kim Hayes, recommended Jairo as a Student of Distinction. In her recommendation she notes, “I first met Jairo at the beginning of this school year and was taken with his mature, respectful, inquisitive, and enthusiastic demeanor. With 30 years in education, I have yet to meet a student as inspirational as Jairo. Numerous staff, families and community members raved about Jairo’s charismatic personality, perseverance, and ability to overcome obstacles that would seem insurmountable to most. He works not only to make each day his best, but to make each day better for others. He thinks beyond himself in most impressive ways.”

Forced to flee

At the age of 14, Jairo was forced to flee his home in Honduras. He told me his stepfather, under the influence, was beating his mother and when Jairo tried to save her, he got a fist in his face and threats. He left his family and home, his job, and a school he loved. After a treacherous journey through Guatemala and Mexico, he arrived in the United States and was sent to a detention facility in Chicago for nine months. He said he got through his detention by reading the entire Harry Potter series. After his release he ended up in Tacoma. Hungry, alone, and homeless, he eventually was adopted by a local Gig Harbor family. Determined to go back to school, he got himself registered and started classes mid-year as a Gig Harbor High freshman.

Jairo serves as a mentor and inspiration to other students who, like himself, have faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, trauma, and loss,” said Hayes. “He is especially supportive of those who feel they do not fit in. He supports them, lifts them up when they want to give up, and calls them if they are absent to see if they are OK. He helps students with homework even when he struggles with his own.

”English is not his first language, but he tries harder than any student I know,” said Hayes. “He assures struggling students that if he can do it, they can do it. I believe he has single-handedly prevented students from dropping out who we would have otherwise lost. Jairo never sways from the path, never gets discouraged. He goes to school every day and to work every evening. What little time he has between school and work, he uses to call his little sisters out of country to help them with their homework from afar.”

I learned that Jairo worked a 40-hour week in addition to all the above. He is currently employed at St. Anthony Hospital.

‘He fights each day’

”Jairo wanted to be involved in after-school activities like sports and clubs but his work schedule made this unattainable,” said Hayes. “He took extra classes this year in order to graduate. Through grit, perseverance and hard work, he graduated with his class. He plans on attending college in the fall with hopes of becoming a teacher and coming back to work for the Peninsula School District.

”Jairo will be an amazing educator and words cannot convey what an asset he will continue to be for our district, especially our struggling and disenfranchised students,” said Hayes.

In his letter of recommendation to Students of Distinction, Gig Harbor High Art & Leadership Educator Alyse Yeaman noted, “Jairo Urbina is a standout student who has overcome and is still surviving adversity. I call him “campeon” (champion) for he is the biggest fighter in life and academics I have ever met.

“He fights each day for not only survival but for hope of a better tomorrow all alone. In my 15 years of teaching I have not had a student with drive for excellence in the face of so much pain. He has achieved greatness and will change the world he lives in.

”I have advised Jairo for two years as a student and as a member of the Latinx Club of which he is the heart and the reason kids are still in school and learning English,” said Yeaman. “He helped make this club happen because of his love for his culture and others in the school who needed a place to be special. He led us to several cultural conferences and provided leadership as a senior. His responsibility shines as I counted on him to lead the group. I have never had him complain or make excuses. He is always appreciative and giving.

“On the outside,” said Yeaman, “Jairo is a happy, kind, charismatic young man who succeeds in academics. He is respectful, not one who speaks loudly but is first to help others. On the inside, he carries physical and emotional scars of his life. His story is so painful that he does not talk about it or show his pain to anyone.

An example of his strength in overcoming adversity is his leadership in the EL program to encourage his classmates to succeed in being a part of the Latinx club and doing well in school,” said Yeaman. “Jairo plans to attend higher education to become an educator or doctor.”

Count on it!