ST PAUL, Minnesota — A subject like physics may not make sense to every student; but for Harding High School senior William Rubio, "It helps me visualize the world in a way I hadn't thought about before. It's an eye opener."
It's a mindset that has helped change the trajectory of the 17-year-old's life.
"I guess when you're so unsure in life — when you're unfocused — life kind of beats you up... puts you against the wall. I was against that wall for a really long time. And I got sick of it," Rubio said.
While Rubio is now a senior, he remembers how for one quarter in middle school he had 120 absences.
Looking back on that now, Rubio called it shocking. But at the time, he said, "It was rough. It was hard going to classes."
Rubio grew up in subsidized housing in St. Paul and faced food insecurity.
"Sometimes we didn't always have the most amount of food in the house and that worried me," Rubio said. "My mom always tried though. My mom always tried her best to provide for us and I love her for that. But, nevertheless, it was challenging having that kind of upbringing where you would see a lot of people in life having the things that you wish you could have."
While Rubio was growing up, his grandfather died. While still processing his grandfather's death, his brother passed away.
"Enduring those losses at that time was very difficult," he said.
Rubio recalled how isolated he felt in the eighth and ninth grade while distance learning due to the pandemic. But in the summer headed into his sophomore year, Rubio had an epiphany.
"I wanted to do something more in life and I wanted to have a kind of impact on society," Rubio said.
Rubio joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). He got involved in sports, the National Honor Society, and is taking challenging coursework including International Baccalaureate physics and chemistry. He maintains a 4.0 GPA. On top of everything, Rubio volunteers at community events and P.T.O. meetings.
As his confidence grew, Rubio heard about the American Indian Studies program at Harding High School. He also has been studying Ojibwe for the past three years.
"It helped bridge the gap between the separation of myself, identity, and cultural association. It helped me maintain a purpose that was just bigger than improving myself but becoming something more to help my culture and learn about my people," Rubio said.
While Rubio in middle school missed more than 100 days, so far this school year he has not missed a single day.
Looking at attendance numbers for Saint Paul Public Schools, in the 2022-23 school year, 38% of Harding students missed 20 or more days of school. That number improved to 31% last school year, and the number of students missing five days or less also improved from 22% to 29%. Districtwide, 70% of students had "consistent" attendance in the 2023-24 school year, a 5% improvement over 2022-23. In the two years prior, coming out of the pandemic, consistent attendance was only 56%
Last year, SPPS created a new position to address the absenteeism rate among American Indian students. For American Indian students districtwide, 50% of students missed 20 or more days in 2022-23 but it improved to 44% in the 2023-24 school year.
"I hope that I can continue to improve myself so that eventually, at some point, I can help my culture and help my people," Rubio said.
Guidance Counselor Dan Kennedy works with the American Indian students at Harding.
"This to me is like food for the soul. When I learn about these stories and I learn about William, it invigorates me," Kennedy said.
Kennedy was so impressed with Rubio that he has nominated him for St. Paul Optimist Club's Youth Appreciation Award. The citywide scholarship competition will announce winners in the coming weeks.
As part of the nomination letter, Kennedy wrote, "William is on an impressive academic trajectory, set to earn both an "International Baccalaureate Career Program Diploma" and the distinguished "Distinction in American Indian Studies" award at his graduation ceremony." The letter went on to say, "To fully understand William Rubio, you must know no matter how much the cards are stacked against him, no matter how difficult the challenge…his inner resolve and ability to have a positive attitude have allowed him to overcome every obstacle."
Rubio said he's grateful for all the school staff who helped support him. Even now, Rubio faces many challenges.
"I just lived with my mom. My biological father was never in the picture... My mom's health had been deteriorating and really reached the culmination in the past year when doctors had diagnosed her with an illness. Her liver had been damaged and up to now they've been closely monitoring it and taking tests but it's progressed to a point of lethality and it's terminal," Rubio said. "Every day... I have to think about that. She's dying... So that's a difficult thought that I have to process waking up every single day. But it's something that I believe empowers me to help others and do better in life and find who I am and have that greatest sense of purpose."
Rubio has enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. After graduation, he will go straight to boot camp in San Diego. From there, he plans on attending college in Minnesota. Whatever degree he pursues, Rubio said he wants to do something that helps people.
"You can decide to change. You can change your fate," Rubio said. "You can do anything regardless of your circumstances."