Meet Bruno Patricio (he/him), a 6th-grader at Sunrise Elementary School. We connected to talk about his experience at Sunrise and how the educators and students around him have helped him feel seen and supported. Read more below.

Bruno has attended Sunrise for most of his time in elementary school, starting in TK. In second grade, his family briefly moved out of Boyle Heights, and he enrolled at another school. But the change didn’t feel right. “I didn’t really like it that much,” Bruno recalled, “and I missed my friends.” By mid-year, he returned to Sunrise, where he has been thriving ever since.

Academics have always been important to Bruno. One of the things he values most about Sunrise is that the teachers make sure he understands the lessons. “When I ask questions, they always answer them,” he explained. He especially appreciates the support he receives in English, where teachers and classmates have helped him strengthen his reading comprehension. Still, Bruno’s favorite subject is math. “There’s just something about it,” he said. “It’s easier for me. It’s harder to write than to do math.”

Mr. Oscar Navarrete, Bruno’s 5th-grade teacher, made a lasting impact on him. “He was really nice to me and cared about his students,” Bruno said. “He listens when something is wrong and makes the work simpler to understand. He also reads the question twice to make sure we get it.” Bruno added that the classroom felt welcoming and safe and that Mr. Navarrete encouraged students to do their best while supporting them every step of the way.

But academics aren’t the only reason Bruno feels connected to Sunrise. His friendships are equally important, whether he’s working in groups during class or spending time with friends at lunch. He also enjoys school events such as Spirit Week and the Halloween party. Last year, he dressed up as a slot machine. When asked about his costume for this year, he laughed and said it was a secret.

Looking ahead, Bruno dreams big. He hopes to become an astronaut one day. “I want to see the moon from up close. I want to see the stars. I’m really interested in space,” he said. Bruno’s strong performance on last year’s state tests in both English and math shows he’s on track to achieve those goals. His teachers have also told him that with effort and determination, he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

For now, he’s focused on finishing 6th-grade strong and preparing for middle school, where he’s excited about new opportunities to learn from new teachers, make new friends, and access a nearby teen center.