Music Ed grad pushed through adversity towards degree, earned Perseverance Award

NATCHITOCHES - A positive attitude and a dose of determination helped Jose Del Rio of Boutte complete his academic journey at Northwestern State University. Del Rio is earning a bachelor's degree in music education (vocal) K-12, following a semester of challenges that included car trouble, flu, weather disruptions and other frustrations. NSU's School of Education awarded Del Rio the Dill Perseverance Award, which honors a senior teacher candidate for persevering despite personal challenges.

"I've had many different challenges this semester honestly," Del Rio said. "One of my biggest obstacles was my own car."

As a senior, Del Rio completed his residency (student teaching) at M.R. Weaver in Natchitoches last fall and this spring at Tioga High School and Tioga Junior High in Ball, an hour's drive from Natchitoches. His car broke down twice.

"I had to make a $1,000 fix which made money tight, but I received help and support from my significant other. I've also had the flu on the first week which also followed multiple days of no school due to weather, which became a rough start. It made me worried about my Level 3 hours. I made a game plan with my mentor teacher and received so much advice from Dr. [Wendy] O'Halloran [director of Clinical Practice and Partnerships] in which I took to heart and kept pushing on.

"There were some other obstacles as well, but I mainly realized that I was supported by many to keep pushing through, and I stayed positive through every situation and reminded myself 'It will be ok, tomorrows another day. You WILL graduate.' It's made me realized how much I've stayed on this degree plan, being a student who's been here for a while, and decided that I couldn't give up, not now while the finish line is so close. I will be the first in my family to graduate from college which means a whole lot to both me and my family. My goal has been to make them proud and show that I can do it, no matter what bump in the road."

Del Rio graduated from Hanhville High School in 2016. He was born in Houston to parents who were from Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to the United States. Growing up four hours from Natchitoches, he hadn't considered attending Northwestern State until he auditioned for a vocal scholarship with Dr. Nicholaus Cummins, director of choral studies. Cummings asked Del Rio what scholarships he had been offered, then offered five times the amount.

"Once I realized the amount of scholarship money I'd receive for choir, I looked more into the program and saw a video of both the Chamber Choir and the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band. From there, those four hours suddenly were worth it, and I decided to come to NSU," Del Rio said.

Cummins and O'Halloran became significant mentors to Del Rio.

"Dr. Cummins has helped me tremendously in making me a better student and musician," Del Rio said. "Dr. O'Halloran has also been a major help, especially this semester. The times that she was understanding of my situations and worked with me truly helped me push through as well. I seriously thank both mentors for helping me so much through my time at NSU."

Some of his most memorable moments at NSU stem from being able to teach and conduct as a student, both during residency and at NSU.

"I was chosen for the Music Theory 4 recital in 2018 and premiered my piece called 'The Haunting.' I was also given the opportunity to conduct the Cane River Singers for one song that I also was given time to teach. In my fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, I was given the opportunity many times to conduct other brothers for different concerts and events. In 2022-2023, I got to help alongside [graduate student ]Ella Castro and was even labeled as the 'assistant choral director' in which I was able to also conduct the Men's Choir. These teaching memories I will forever cherish.

After graduation, Del Rio hopes to continue teaching music at the elementary level "and give kids the wonderful experience in the world of music." Long-term he plans to pursue a master's degree, a career in education, get married and visit family he hasn't seen in over 10 years, most of whom are in Nebraska, Colorado and Mexico.

"Jose has faced many challenges during his residency/internship, yet he has stayed positive and eager to help his peers and classmates," said Dr. Katrina Jordan, director of the School of Education.

"The kids actually are the reason that I'm an educator in the first place," he said. "My passion drives from helping others to realize their true potential. I struggled a little bit with classroom management and discipline at first, but I got the hang of it at both schools once I adapted to the cultures of the schools. Weaver specifically, I was loved by a good bit of the kids. So many kids were upset to know it was my last day. One kid even hugged me, cried and said 'Don't go. You're my favorite teacher.' If I feel that I can be impactful to the kids, then I feel happy in what I'm doing. Moments like that are the reason I love education in the first place."

NSU will hold commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 and at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 9 in Prather Coliseum. The ceremonies will also be streamed online. Details and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at www.nsula.edu/graduation.

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