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Jesse Espino, a graduating senior at TIDE Academy, found his sense of belonging in robotics. As a first generation student, his passion for science and engineering drove him to success as he will become the first in his family to attend a four-year university.
Espino grew up in Redwood City as one of six siblings. He described himself as an “iPad kid,” having no particular interest in any subject and preferred to spend his time looking at a screen. That all changed when he was introduced to robotics late into his sophomore year.
Although he initially joined robotics for his friends and the free food, Espino discovered something he really enjoyed.
“I like robotics because you get to see raw materials like rocks, metal and rubber get moved around, do what you want and see how that can be marketable in the future,” said Espino.
As a Mexican-American, Espino found his lighter complexion as a point of struggle in finding where he belonged. Looking around at his Latino community, he said he didn’t see anyone that looked like him.
“Yes, I’m Mexican but I don’t look Mexican. Some people say I don’t act Mexican,” Espino said. “It’s really drilling into my head, ‘What am I if I’m not part of this group?’ ‘What group am I a part of?’ ‘Am I even part of any group?’”
While he struggled to find which cultural group he fit into, the school’s robotics club created a space where his complexion didn’t matter. “It was no longer what I looked like, it was what I do and what ideas I can bring to the table,” he said.
Espino is also part of East Palo Alto Churrobots, a community robotics club sponsored by a faith-based nonprofit Hope Horizon East Palo Alto.
In high school, his outgoing nature and curiosity drove him to discover his own future potential in STEM. Espino said it all started when he asked his geometry teacher, “What’s your favorite dessert?”
The answer was pecan pie. But this simple question led to a story and the start to a stronger bond between Espino and his teacher. He soon learned how math can be used in real life scenarios and discovered that “math was cool.”
“I would find myself thinking about STEM, geometry and math even on the bus ride back home,” Espino said. Throughout his high school journey, he continued to have conversations about science with his chemistry and physics teachers, taking the opportunity to ask them questions about anything STEM.
Outside of robotics, Espino is also an active member of the Associated Student Council. His teachers describe him as academically strong, friendly, kind and always willing to help wherever needed. Espino has helped the student council organize spirit weeks, sports tournaments and lunch time activities.
Despite his struggles with finding belonging, Espino has been able to build his own community among students who share similar passions in engineering and school spirit.
“The sense of community is really nice when you’re with other people and socializing,” he said. “That’s a very human thing for me to be with others, joining together united by one big thing.”
In the fall, Espino will be attending Santa Clara University to study mechanical engineering. He looks forward to living on his own, planning his own schedule and trying new things. He will also be giving a speech at the Foundation for College Education’s ceremony for graduating seniors in the program.
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