News

Juan Olivas: Male role model

Student remembers his mentors, and becomes a mentor for others

Published: August 27, 2023   

By Arkansas Catholic Staff

Juan Olivas

The 23-year-old currently attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, where he is majoring in education. Olivas, a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Church, also in Arkadelphia, is in the Marine Corps, but his passion lies in the classroom.

Juan Olivas

The 23-year-old currently attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, where he is majoring in education. Olivas, a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Church, also in Arkadelphia, is in the Marine Corps, but his passion lies in the classroom.

What important figure, dead or alive, would you like to meet and why? 

“I'd like to see John F. Kennedy. I also have a minor in history. And he's one of the presidents I really look up to. He’s one of the people that inspired me as well. His ideas, his thoughts and the way he leads is what I aspire to do.”

ARKADELPHIA

For Juan Olivas, the road to the rest of his life began in high school. 

The 23-year-old currently attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, where he is majoring in education. Olivas, a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Church, also in Arkadelphia, is in the Marine Corps, but his passion lies in the classroom. Whether it’s through teaching or leading a youth group, Olivas seeks to guide the next generation.

“Getting into high school, I saw that there weren't a lot of male figures in the classroom,” Olivas said. “That’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do. When I was in the youth group at St. Mary's, we had a male leader, and he was instrumental in helping me find that calling.”

It was this high school youth group that sparked Olivas’ faith life. 

“When I was little, I didn't really get that opportunity to be involved,” he said. “There weren't very many chances for me to reach out. It wasn't until I found the youth group at St. Mary when I was in high school that I found my calling which was to teach.”

After Olivas graduated from high school, the youth group at St. Mary disbanded for a few years, but now Olivas and a few friends have brought it back. 

“I just want to pass on the knowledge that I have to the younger generation,” Olivas said. “That's why I'm leading this youth group with my friends. Seeing the love for God in the younger generation keeps me going.”

More stories will appear in our 15 Young Adults Who Inspire Us 2023 Section as they are posted online. Subscribe to Arkansas Catholic’s digital and print publications to read more content like this.

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