At Greeley West High School, spring break means time to relax, vacations, and a break from all the stressful and overload of school work. But for senior Justin Kessinger-Soto, this year’s spring break was less about beaches and more about building his future. One game, one shift, and one scholarship at a time.
While many students were preparing their luggage for travel, Kessinger-Soto was gearing up for something completely different: a full schedule of basketball and work. “I don’t really have anything planned. I’m going to babysit my brother’s cat while he heads to San Pedro Island in Texas, pick up a couple extra shifts at Dominos, and then I’ll head to the Rec Center more than I usually do to play some basketball.”
Instead of lounging on a beach, Kessinger-Soto was laser focused on improving his skills, both in life and on the court. “I don’t really get to play basketball as much as I used to because of IB and all the work they give me, so I kind of just want to get back into it a little over Spring Break. My friends have been going a lot without me, so basketball and scholarships are probably the main things I will be focusing on during Spring Break,” he said.
As a future investment banker, Kessinger-Soto already understands how important financial stability is. That’s why his Spring Break was not solely just about a sport, it’s about securing his future. “I will be putting a lot of time and effort into scholarship applications, some in which include Bright Futures, Greeley Promise, and some other important scholarships,” Kessinger-Soto explained.
With his college decision already set for Colorado State University, he is determined on making the most of his opportunities.
For Kessinger-Soto, Spring Break isn’t just about where you go, it’s about your productivity with time. “Not having to go to school and taking a little break from all this work is what I’m looking forward to the most. A lot of people are traveling over Spring Break, but to me, one week seems a little too short for a vacation, so I would rather spend my time at home being as productive as I can,” he shared.
