Fernando Mendoza Inspires On and Off the Field!

Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman this weekend and while the award itself is extraordinary, the message behind it is what truly matters.

Fernando attended St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School (elementary), Belen (Middle School), and Columbus (High School), all Miami schools that are deeply close to my heart as both a teacher and a parent. Seeing an alum from our community reach this moment is powerful, not just because of what he achieved, but because of who he remembered when he stood on that stage.

In his Heisman speech, Fernando thanked his family, his teammates, his coaches, Columbus High School (#Adelante), and his Cal family. But the most meaningful moment came at the very end, when he spoke directly to kids. His message was simple and unforgettable:

“I was you. Don’t give up.”

He shared that back in fourth grade, he wanted to quit. It was his parents who told him he had to finish what he started. Long before the spotlight, before the recognition, before the awards, his family believed in him and kept him going.

Turning inspiration into reflection

Inspired by Fernando’s words, I created the reflection prompt below for my students.

Rather than asking them to focus on Fernando’s achievement, the prompt invites them to turn inward and imagine their own future.

• If YOU were to be recognized one day for something you care deeply about, what would you want it to be?

• What steps can you start taking now?

The blank spaces in the image are intentional. One is for dreams. One is for action. Together, they remind students that big moments don’t happen overnight, they are built slowly, through choices, perseverance, and showing up even when things feel hard!

This is where Fernando’s message truly lands. His story becomes not just something to admire, but something students can see themselves in. The Heisman isn’t the finish line—it’s proof that persistence matters, that quitting moments don’t define us, and that the work we do when no one is watching counts.

Why this matters

As educators and parents, we often tell kids not to give up. Fernando showed them what that actually looks like. He stood on one of the biggest stages in sports and spoke directly to the child he once was and to the children watching now. That matters. Representation matters.Stories like this matter. I love that he also shared his love for his family, passion for this sport, and humility through is words in the few minutes that he was on that stage (and as he moves through the fields he plays on).

I would love to share my students’ reflections (and YOUR students' as well) with Fernando’s family, because his journey is already shaping the way young people see their own potential.

Please Use & Share

You are welcome to use this reflection activity with your students or children. If you do, please tag ( @valeriasketches on Instagram) and share their work. I’d love to see how Fernando’s story continues to inspire the next generation. Sometimes, all a kid needs to hear is that "Someone like me did this. And maybe, one day, I can too."

#Heismendoza #HeismanTrophy #ColumbusExplorers #Hoosiers #CollegeFootball