Sports blog: Warrior Nation
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By LAUREN MYLO

Villager Staff Writer


WILTON -- Cesar Jimenez, by his own words, is truly living the American dream.

When he came to the United States from Colombia in 1984, Jimenez didn't speak one word of English. But he wanted a better life for himself and eventually for his children. He wanted to see his daughter and son get an education. He wanted to finish his own.

He got what he wished for.

Last month, Jimenez, 51, graduated from Southern Connecticut State University. On June 20, his son Alexander, 18, will graduate from Wilton High School.

"I would say the American dream for me was to give my kids the chance to do whatever was possible," said Jimenez. "I think so far we've accomplished that."

Alexander Jimenez will attend his first choice of Lehigh University in the fall to major in engineering. His sister also attends the Pennsylvania school and is majoring in behavioral neuroscience. She will graduate next year and hopes to go to medical school.

Jimenez found a job as a custodian when he arrived in America and was promoted to head custodian at Miller School after 18 months. Assistant principal Sheelah Brown began encouraging him to go back to school.

"I said, 'I'm too old' and she said 'you're never too old,'" Jimenez recalled.

Classes for the career he wanted -- teaching physical education teacher -- were during the day, but three years ago Jimenez was promoted to the district night supervisor, which enabled him to return to school.

"Even though I wasn't really happy about working nights, I knew it was the only chance I had to finish my education," he said.

He was accepted at Southern Connecticut State University and began the 40 mile commute each way to achieve his goal.

Jimenez noted his wife, who is also from Colombia, was very supportive throughout the process, even when there were three students in the family at once.

Alexander said his father would ask him and his sister for homework help, especially on the computer.

"It was pretty rough sometimes," said Alexander, adding with a laugh: "Sometimes the computer would go slow, and he'd lose patience."

"I come from an age different from computers," continued his father. "In high school in Colombia we didn't use computers."

Jimenez said he's not in any rush to change careers -- he's four years away from retirement and the Wilton Board of Education has been good to him. But he's happy knowing he's achieved something he's always wanted, including giving his children opportunities and an example to follow.

"I think it's pretty incredible what he's done for someone his age," said Alexander. "It's putting a lot of pressure on me for succeeding because he's done it with working a lot of hours. I'm very proud to see what he's come from."

Jimenez said he's taken his children back to his home country and they've seen how different the education system is. Here, Jimenez said, anyone can get an education despite age or socioeconomic status, but in Colombia it's much more difficult.

"It's all if you decide to go to school (here)," he said, "and I'm very proud I was able to accomplish that. I got my American dream so far."

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