Carlos Romero, a straight-A student, balances a part time job, many extracurricular activities, and a social life. It’s not an easy task to tackle, but Romero is always up for a challenge.

“I’ll admit that it can be really hard to manage everything,” said Romero, senior. “However, I look at the light at the end of the tunnel and it motivates me to push through.”

School being his top priority, Romero is working his way to the top of the food chain, which has paid off; being number seven in his class sent him into an uphill climb, one that’s definitely worth the view. Whether it’s helping organize Guilford’s first Hispanic/Latino dance, being student council class president, or being offered an all-expenses-covered college visit at Bowdoin College, Romero is reaping the benefits of his challenging high school experience.

“While I was there, I had the opportunity to go to classes, have dinner with faculty, and hang out with students,” said Romero. “I realized that I could definitely fit in in a small, private college like Bowdoin.”

It’s not easy having a job while also being an AP student, and that’s not always taken into account. Romero, taking five AP classes, has taught himself to juggle the responsibilities of both hours of homework and a part time job.

“I’m employed at Burger King, and work about 15 hours a week,” said Romero. “I work late nights, and that makes it hard to find time to do school work.”

Though he takes part in many extracurricular activities, his main focus right now is being a member of Guilford’s Quiz Bowl team. With practices every Tuesday and Wednesday, and many matches to attend, Romero still manages to fit some more brain work into his tight schedule.

“His performance and sportsmanship are among the greatest I’ve ever seen,” said Syed Ahmad, senior. “They’re exemplary.”

In addition to school work and extracurriculars, Romero is working on completing his college applications. Pressures such as deadlines, essays, and more add a lot to seniors’ daily schedules, especially Romero’s.

“Admission depends on many things,” said Romero, who offers this bit of advice: “Although some schools may seem out of your reach, don’t be afraid to apply, because you never know what could happen.”

With all of the chaos of a college-bound high schooler’s lifestyle, it’s important to have a strong support system. Romero has a large network of friends and a close-knit family to help him through the hard times, and cheer him on through the good.

“My good friends Austin Selas and Syed Ahmad are huge motivators for me,” said Romero. “I can always count on them to be there for me at any time of the day. Syed always takes the five minutes before a test to answer any last minute questions I have.”

Romero doesn’t let the obstacles of his personal background hold him back. As a first generation American citizen, Carlos’s family has taught him to strive for greatness and settle for nothing less.

“I hope to motivate people from similar backgrounds to step up their game and dream big, because there are definitely opportunities out there for them,” said Romero.