Imagine participating in a theater group, becoming the leader and choreographer of the team, having tons of responsibilities at school, but arriving home and feeling completely alone. These were Senior Miguel Cardenas’ last days in Bogotá.  

Cardenas transferred in August from Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogota to Medellin. At TCS, he continues to follow his acting dreams as well as his goals to develop leadership skills. 

“I have been a very lonely person in life, which has brought me to understand myself deeply, always prioritizing whatever I want to accomplish, and the place I feel more confident in,” Cardenas said.

A Natural Leader

Right away, Cardenas made a big impression on campus by declaring his candidacy for both personero and the NHS board despite being part of TCS for barely 2 months. Unheard of! Candidates for personero are always well known, popular, really social, and have been part of the TCS community for most of their lives. As Cardenas joined the school it could be said that he violated all stereotypes for both seniors running for personero and new students at TCS. 

Cardenas decided not to let a change in schools and cities keep him from pursuing his dreams, continuing to work equally hard as he would have before his move. 

“Since he was little, Migue has been a natural leader and wherever he arrives, he has empathy with people and helps them have good relationships,” Diana Gallon, 5th-grade Spanish teacher, and Miguel’s Mother said. 

Cardenas is a risk taker who believes that actions have either a positive or a negative outcome. But, even when there is only a 1% probability of a positive outcome, he is willing to take a chance. 

“Even though I am new and didn’t know anybody, I wanted to show the whole school that I was brave enough and capable of showing who I am. As I took both decisions, I knew that failure was an option but there was still a chance for success, that little spark was what motivated me,” Cardenas said.

The New Kid on the Block

After living 7 years with his dad in Bogotá, Cardenas decided he wanted a change to improve his mental health. Having most of his family in Medellín was the primary factor and motive for his move. The relationship with his dad wasn’t the best, and he missed too much both his mother and sister.

“I was going through many things in Bogotá, suffering from anxiety and depression. I knew that coming here would give my life tranquility and happiness,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas was not completely alone. He was already friends with Senior Ivana Flores who transferred also from CNG 2 years ago. He came was welcomed by Flores’ group of friends who helped him adjust and provided a support system. 

“It has been an amazing experience, to see how welcoming the TCS campus is. The teachers were really helpful and guided me through the first days. When I came to school on the first day I was very scared of how seniors would react to seeing a new face, but as the days passed I felt welcomed and safe,” Cardenas said. 

Senior year is the year students use to try to come closer together, reunite and enjoy their last days together. Cardenas’s attending parties and school events have made it easier for him to feel a part of TCS. 

“I was super panicked because he is entering senior year being new, where everybody has known each other and all the groups are already made up. As he entered school he adapted very well and got along very well with my classmates. I am thankful that it was easy for him to enter the school,” Gallon said.

Acting is more than just a hobby

Acting and theater have been an important part of Cardenas’ life for as long as he can remember and has performed in about ten plays.

“The traits that I have earned through theater have made me a confident leader. For instance, acting has given me the skills of communication, which is what allows me to stand on my own and give my point of view to the world, it has also given me the ability to build better relationships,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas’s experience with theater started when he was 3-4 years old in Medellín as his parents signed him up for a fine arts class. From then on he continued to take acting classes after he moved to Bogotá. The most remarkable play he was part of was Charlie in the Chocolate Factory Musical in his old school.

“As I was an Oompa Loompa I was able to appreciate the love I have for theater, it was at the very moment I was on the stage that I received welcoming news and from then on I decided to continue pursuing my dream,” Cardenas said.

After his multiple experiences with theater, he decided to take every acting class at CNG and was part of the Charlotte theater group in Bogota. At TCS, he is now part of the theater team. 

“As he arrived at school I was so excited because his mother had talked to me about his acting career and I remember him when he was little. As I got to know him I wanted him to be part of my team of actors and I named my co-director,” Vargas, 8th-grade Spanish and Theater Teacher, said. 

Cardenas has completely found his passion for the arts. He wants to take theater as a full-time activity and even turn it into a career. Even the arts are not a well-paid profession, Cardenas believes that there is a chance for him to have a better experience. At the end of the day, he is completely motivated to focus on what he loves performing. 

“I feel that everything in life has challenges and obstacles, coming here has for sure been a challenge, but it has given me a bunch of positive consequences, I would for sure say that I feel at home, my life has changed from being a normal lifestyle and turned into a vibrant lifestyle,” Cardenas said.