Johnny Márquez

Mexican-American

2017 Graduate, B.A. in Criminal Justice

Instagram: @johnnymarquez11

A fresh college graduate from Corpus Christi, Texas, Johnny Marquez is the son of Mexican immigrants. His father is from Acatitlan de Zaragoza, Queretaro and mother from Mexico City, Mexico.

27 years ago, Johnny’s parents migrated to the U.S. in pursuit of the American Dream. Leaving their families behind, they bravely entered a new world in hopes of bettering their lives, and in turn, the lives of their children.

With no silver spoon, the Marquez family struggled to make ends meet for a lengthy period of time. From one crime-stricken neighborhood to another, Johnny witnessed many friends, family members, neighbors and classmates succumb to crime, drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Life’s raw footage was the reason that Johnny set off to become first in his family to graduate high school and pursue higher education. Starting at Del Mar College in Corpus Christie, followed by The University of Texas at Arlington, Johnny put in hard work and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He plans to become a juvenile probation officer and hopes to be the type of role model that his peers never had.

“I believe, wholeheartedly, that to positively shape our future and guide our youth to success, we must be willing to set the good example...I don’t want to just make a difference. I want to be the difference.”

27 years later, he’s certainly a product of his parents’ American Dream and more.