Respect. It can take only a few seconds to lose, and a lifetime to gain back. Respect is tricky. Someone may claim to have respect for someone, but often they are only fearful. Ismael Matias, a recent 18-year-old Fruita Monument graduate knows about genuine respect. He spent his early teenage years as a gang member, was kicked out of his house multiple times, and quit school. So he turned to his “brothers” in the gang. They offered him food, shelter, and protection. Ismael was expected to return the favors. The strong, young man only vaguely referred to the tribulations of the violent life of a gang member. He respected the highest-ranking members. “I wanted to be big and tough, to have respect from everybody,” Ismael stated. Ish, as friends call him, is tough, and respected. Though it is doubtful it is for the reasons he had wanted when he was younger. Ismael Matias is courageous, honorable, dedicated, and a kind person. It is hard to believe that Ish came from a violent, troublesome history. But Ish’s history has only strengthened him. Currently he is pursuing his dream of joining the Navy, and being accepted into the Navy Seals program. Ismael Matias’ focus has changed.

Everybody’s past has a few gray spots, things they’d rather not revisit. The past can also be a scapegoat, an excuse for why the present is not going as planned. “ I look at what I was involved in as being young and dumb,” says Ish. His past is his past; not an excuse. His parents did not like the company he kept and the trouble he was getting into. His relationship with his family suffered. The gang related violence was stressful on Ismael. Life was lived on a day-to-day basis. There were fights when supposed friends did not show up; and times when he and others were badly beat, and suffered stab wounds. “I was always thinking, this is not the real me. Finally I was like, I’m done with this.” Some members respected his decision, others were angry. Ish didn’t care. He left the gang, and lost complete touch with any of them.

Lisa Will at Fruita’s 8/9 schools works with at risk Hispanic children in the LEAG program (Latino Education Achievement to Graduation) Ish decided he could help other kids who were struggling like he had. As Mrs. Will puts it, “ He walked into my room at Fruita 8/9 school (when he was a senior at FMHS) and wanted to be a tutor/mentor to the students working there. That was a lucky day for me. He is the perfect role model, having been there done that and learned enough from it to be doing something else.” He even helped chaperone 18 kids to Denver for a La Raza Youth Leadership Conference. “The trip would not have been as successful if Ish hadn’t had volunteered to go with us,” says Mrs. Will. Ish says he wanted the younger students to realize that there is a lot out there for them . He thought that having a high status through his gang affiliation was the best he could do. Yet in the back of his mind, Ismael knew that there was more to life. While at FMHS, Ish received the prestigious Phoenix Award, and was honored at a Students of Distinction ceremony. Ismaels’ high school diploma was a great accomplishment. Yet he didn’t stop once he had helped himself. He continued to help others realize their potential.

Ismael is well on his way to meeting his personal goals. For 45 minutes a day he swims laps at the Fruita Swimming Pool. He runs as much as 6 miles, walks and bikes, and also lifts weights regularly. The Navy Seals dropout rate is 75%. But often it’s noted that 90% of the physical challenge is mental. It is a challenge to even be accepted into the Seals 6 month training program. Ish talks about the regular stint at boot camp before getting into the Seals program like it will be another afternoon lap session at the pool. He did well on his first Seals testing, but needed to improve his swimming. The area supervisor of Navy recruiting, Chief Dan Chermok commented, “ He is working his tail off, never complains. Ish is very dedicated, very hard working.” Ismael respects the military personnel. “ I’ve always looked up to them. They sacrifice themselves so that we can be free.” When he learned that earning his high school diploma would be the first step in getting into the Navy Seals, Ismael worked harder at his education. He would like to make a career out of being in the Navy, and hopefully the Navy Seals. Ismael would like to earn a college degree and travel while in the Navy.

When talking with Ismael about his family, it’s easy to see he knows that they are proud of him. Along with his mom and dad, he has three sisters in his immediate family. The two little girls, 12 and 6 look up to their big brother. “When I was younger, I didn’t get along with my family. My parents didn’t like what I did. I know that they just didn’t want that life for me.” With the violence and fighting far behind him, Ismael Matias is stronger and tougher than he ever has been. Not because he swims countless laps in the pool. Nor is it due to the fact that he runs miles through Fruita. He does lift a lot of weights…but it isn’t that either. Ish, as friends call him, has guts. And a never quit attitude, like Chief Dan Chermok says. Ish says that he respects people who really change for themselves. “It’s a rare thing to have the courage to face personal change, draw that line in the sand. . .” Chief Dan said in reference to Ish. Ismael has already earned respect from teachers, family, and friends. It is a genuine respect, the kind that is hard to forget.