As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re proud to spotlight the friendships, partnerships, and families whose stories began right here in our halls. From lifelong bonds to lasting love, our community has always been built on meaningful connections. Take a moment to read the heartfelt stories shared by our alumni and staff and see how EACS became part of their journey.

Kenneth and Linda – Class of 2014 

“Our love story began the way many great epics do: with two 14-year-olds who absolutely did not like each other. We met as freshmen at Esperanza Academy in 2010, but it wasn’t until sophomore year—when we shared a literature class with the legendary Ms. Evans—that our paths truly collided. At the time, “friendship” would have been a generous description. We challenged each other physically, academically, and socially, fueled by equally large personalities that clashed more than they connected. Ms. Evans, with her signature balance of patience and razor-sharp honesty, supported us both while also making it abundantly clear that we were, in fact, arrogant children.

Somewhere between debates, rivalry, and a final project that involved creating a Macbeth musical (yes, really), something unexpected happened: we became friends. That friendship took a turn the summer before senior year, when we ran into each other at a friend’s party and realized there might be something more than academic competition between us. Three months into 12th grade, we officially became a couple. We graduated together in 2014 and continued our journey side by side at La Salle University, earning our undergraduate degrees in 2018.

College gave us more than diplomas—it gave us memories across borders. We traveled together to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada, learning early how to navigate new places as a team. In 2019, we moved into our first apartment, and in 2020, our greatest adventure arrived: our first son, Evan. Naming him after Ms. Evans felt inevitable. That literature class was where our rivalry softened, our personalities flourished, and our relationship truly began—often thanks to Ms. Evans’ snarky commentary breaking the ice. Evan was named not only after her, but after everything she represents: strength, brilliance, wit, and an unshakeable presence. She is a force to be reckoned with, and we hope our son grows up just as resilient.

In 2021, Kenneth proposed in Puerto Rico. In 2022, we welcomed our second child, Isla—wise beyond her years and just as strong-willed. In August 2023, we were married, with our ceremony officiated by none other than Ms. Evans herself, surrounded by family, friends, alumni, and Esperanza faculty. A special shout-out to Ms. Erickson, now lovingly known as “Grandma Erickson” to our children.

Today, in 2026, Kenneth and I celebrate 13 years together and three years of marriage. Our children are in Pre-K and Kindergarten. We both work full-time in Mental Health and Quality Management for Social Services while pursuing graduate degrees in Public Administration.

Every time we drive past Esperanza Academy, we laugh and reminisce about how young—and stubborn—we once were. We are grateful for every chapter of this journey and hope Esperanza continues to harvest many more love stories just like ours.”

Kala & Frederick – Faculty Member

“In 2012, Esperanza Cyber Charter School was opening, and I was helping to launch the new school while still working at Esperanza Academy High School. New staff were brought on, and because there were only about 15 of us working at the Cyber, we got pretty close. In 2013, I worked full-time at the HS but would still help here and there at the Cyber. A core group of co-workers became more like friends, and we started hanging out more outside of work. In 2014, one of those core friendships turned into a dating relationship. In 2015, it became an official fiancé relationship, and in 2016, we got married! It’s been all fun and games since, plus the added bonus of seeing each other at work 😁”

Jonathan and Jonairis – Class of 2022 and 2023

“Some love stories begin with fireworks. Ours began quietly, in the hallways of Nueva Esperanza, long before we ever knew what the future would hold. We both started at Esperanza in sixth grade, but it wasn’t until seventh grade that our paths truly crossed. Back then, we were just friends—young, carefree, and unaware that those small moments would one day matter so much. As time passed and we moved toward high school, life pulled us in different directions and, for a while, we grew apart. Fate, however, had other plans.

After finishing eighth grade, we reunited in high school at Esperanza, and in early 2020, we began talking again. Almost every day, we’d see each other in the halls—him waiting for the perfect moment to steal the candy I bought from the cafeteria. Those simple interactions turned into laughter, connection, and the comfort of familiarity. Esperanza wasn’t just our school; it became the place where our bond was rebuilt. Our time at Esperanza was filled with unforgettable memories—shared smiles, hallway conversations, and moments that quietly shaped our hearts. In November 2020, we officially began dating, turning friendship into something deeper and more meaningful.

The years that followed weren’t always easy. We faced personal struggles and challenges that tested us, but through it all, we chose each other. We learned how to support, encourage, and grow together—lessons that no textbook could ever teach.

In June 2022, he graduated, and just a month later, in July, we took a huge step forward and began living together. In 2023, I graduated as well, closing one chapter while opening many new ones. He pursued his passion and began his career as a barber—a business that continues to grow and succeed today. I found my calling working at OBR High School, discovering how much I truly love being part of a school community and giving back to a place that feels like home.

Our love story continued to unfold in beautiful ways. In October 2024, surrounded by the beauty of Cancun, Mexico, we got engaged. Then, at just 20 years old, we achieved something we once only dreamed of—we bought our first home in March 2025. Now, six years strong, our journey is still being written. We are currently planning our wedding, set for September 2027 in Punta Cana, and looking ahead with excitement, gratitude, and faith in what’s to come.

Our story is proof that young love can grow, endure, and flourish when built on friendship, support, and commitment. As alumni celebrating 25 years, we are proud to say that Esperanza didn’t just educate us—it helped shape a love that continues to grow stronger with every chapter. And this is only the beginning.”

Chelsy Flores, Naralys Martin (Collado), Oscar Gonzalez – Friends from the Class of 2011

“Oscar and I have been best friends since 2008, our sophomore year of high school. Naralys and I have been really good close friends since our freshman year (2007). With that it marks 18 years of friendship with the both of them. Now as for me and Oscar let me tell you, we did not like each other at all in the beginning. When I first met him freshman year (2007), I could not stand him because he was always so loud in

 the hallways and it drove me insane (my patience was thin back then). However, little did I know, he felt the same way as me because he claimed I was being stuck up. But going into sophomore year, he grew on me thanks to my long time bestie, Naralys. Naralys and I have been very close since our freshman year of high school and the friendship kept developing from there. So because she is the sweetest person I know, she brought me and Oscar together. What that created was the Trio friendship. After high school, the 3 of us grew closer and closer and became the Sibling Squad and where there is Chelsy, there is Naralys and Oscar. Everyone knows of us as the trio and how close we are. These two have become such a huge part of my life that I cannot see my life without them both. We literally have been through it all together and will continue to be there for each other. We are 18 years strong and many many more to go. I love them both dearly, my sister and my brother.”

Christian and Kiannie Nieves – Class of 2017

“On December 10, 2014, I remember waking up that morning and seeing my now husband Christian had posted a picture on Instagram of it being his birthday. I remember making a decision that I was going to wish him a  happy birthday in person instead of commenting since I remember having 3-4th period genres study honors class with him. That morning I reported to class and I saw him from a distance and I turned around and I said hey, it’s your birthday, happy birthday. I will never forget his face that day. All I can remember is his eyes literally lit up like he couldn’t believe what just happened. Until this day, I always ask him, “Why did you look at me like I was crazy when I said happy birthday that day?” He says, “Because I never expected a girl as pretty as you would have ever spoken to me in high school.” That is how I fell in love with my husband ever since that day. That night, I remember getting a notification from Instagram, and it was just showing how I got a comment on one of my photos. Christian commented on my only photo in my profile that did not have a comment. I knew he was trying to get my attention. 

Since then, we texted every single day, almost all day. At the time, I was focusing on school and playing softball, so I didn’t really have time to be in a relationship. We then went into our winter break. On our first day back, I stayed home because I was sick. This day was so funny because Christian was so nervous and texted me that we had a new seating arrangement. It turned out that Ms. Ricobaldi had assigned us to sit next to each other. Christian didn’t want me to think he was weird by thinking he purposely did it. I’m sure by now, you can tell the rest is history. I remember throughout my entire time getting to know Christian, which was our sophomore / junior year, it felt like no one understood why a girl like me at the time who played varsity softball, outgoing, and a big introvert who always had so many friends fell in love with someone who was all about education, had very few friends, very quiet, and to himself. Christian and I always say that we were the perfect example of how opposites attract. 

Around summertime, Christian went on a cruise for a week without any signal, so we didn’t text at all. I remember the day before he was gonna come back from being on a cruise and actually having Wi-Fi to be able to text me, I had come to realize that I was like, “Man, I love this guy, and I have to tell him that I’m ready to be his girlfriend.” Again, at the time, I wasn’t serious and was just focusing on other things, and I didn’t really want to be in a relationship, but something in me told me that Christian was gonna change that for me. That morning, he texted me when he came back from cruising with his family; it was around his birthday again the following year, in 2015. On his actual birthday, December 10, we weren’t able to see each other because he had plans with his family, but on December 15, 2015, I had made plans for all of our friends to go rollerskating and then go to dinner. That night after dinner, I gave him a card that told him that I was ready to make it official. Since December 15, 2015, my husband and I have been together for 10 years, married for one year, moved to Tampa, FL, and just welcomed a beautiful daughter, Mia’Bella, on August 30, 2025. Thank you, Esperanza, for allowing me to meet the love of my life! “

Ramon and Nylet Ramos – Class of 2019

“My husband and I met during our graduation. We had been in classes together, shared mutual friends, and passed each other in the hallways, but our first memorable conversation happened during our graduation ceremony. We sat next to each other alphabetically, and he was concerned that I was intentionally wearing two different colored shoes. After graduation, we lost touch and ended up reconnecting three years later. We have been married for almost two years now.”

Rebecca DiSalvo and Kala Estrada – Staff Friendship

“I began my journey at Esperanza Academy straight out of college in 2007, after earning my BA in Psychological and Social Sciences, stepping into my first role as an ELD Paraprofessional. During orientation week, I met Kala Estrada, a fellow paraprofessional also new to EA and working in special education. What began as a friendly connection quickly grew into a lifelong friendship after discovering we attended the same church. Nineteen years later, Kala and I are not only colleagues but best friends. We have celebrated each other’s weddings, raised our children side by side, including welcoming babies into our home just one week apart, and grown together through every season of life and work at EA. While we are very different in personality, Kala has been my constant companion, a steady source of comfort, and the person who continually pushes me out of my shell. Our story is deeply woven into the fabric of Esperanza Academy, and I am grateful that this community gave us both a place to grow, serve, and belong.”