Meet Angelee Rodriguez, a proud graduate of the Class of 2011! Angelee’s story began when she moved from Puerto Rico to Philadelphia as a young child. She struggled a lot in middle school and faced bullying, which made her shy and unsure of herself. When it came time for high school, Angelee knew she wanted to be in an environment where she felt understood, surrounded by people who shared her culture and language.
“I remember begging my mom to go to Esperanza to check on my application. A week later, I got my acceptance letter, and I was beyond excited.”
Angelee shared how being a part of the dance major during her high school years at EACS had a significant impact on her: “What truly sparked my confidence was being able to major in dance. I’m so grateful that Esperanza offers students the opportunity to focus on something they’re passionate about. Becoming a dance major allowed me to grow, express myself, and build real friendships. It taught me how to be quick on my feet, both literally and in life, and it gave me the artistic outlet I needed. I always say that being a dance major is what helped shape the confident woman I am today.”
Since graduating, Angelee has continued to nurture her love for dance while exploring different opportunities and career paths. In 2018, she made the life-changing decision to move back to Puerto Rico and start fresh. That move became the push Angelee needed to truly step into her purpose and begin carving out a place for herself in the industry. In all that she has accomplished, Angelee counts her one-year-old son, Ozean, as her greatest blessing and motivation.
“Esperanza prepared me for life after high school by helping me build confidence. The person I was during my first year of high school was completely different from the person who graduated.
Angelee is an entrepreneur in Puerto Rico’s tourism scene, juggling several businesses that reflect her deep love for the island. Together with her fiancé, she owns a car rental company, Reyes Rentals LLC, that helps make travel smooth and accessible for both locals and tourists. Inspired by Puerto Rico’s rich culture and beauty, she created the tourism guidebook Things to Do in Puerto Rico, as well as Discover and Color Puerto Rico, a children’s coloring book filled with fun, educational activities designed to help families explore the island together. In addition, Angelee runs Ozean Merch, a beach lifestyle brand known for its innovative quick-drying towels that convert into backpacks for island adventures!
“Sharing Puerto Rico through my platforms has opened the doors to all of my businesses, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
The advice she would like to give current EACS students is: “Everyone’s journey is different. Don’t rush your path or compare it to others. Some blessings take longer to arrive, and that’s okay. Focus on yourself, stay grounded, and trust your timing. Enjoy the moment you’re in now. Be confident. Do what makes you happy and make choices that feel right to you, not just what others expect. That’s how you build a life that feels positive and fulfilling. Also, choose a major that you truly love or could see yourself using 10 or 20 years from now. You’d be surprised how something you learn today can prepare you for an opportunity later in life, and when that moment comes, you’ll be so grateful you followed your passion.”