Every Frisco ISD student has their own story and their own dreams . Meet Arturo Lopez III .
Independence Senior is Ambassador for School , District
Every Frisco ISD student has their own story and their own dreams . Meet Arturo Lopez III .
Arturo Lopez III , son of Arturo Jr . and Ana Lopez , is taking everything about his senior year at Independence High School step by step – football season , job , role as a student ambassador and senior engineering project . These are the first steps for the rest of his life .
He aspires to be a mechanical engineer . As a child , Lopez always wanted to know how things worked and the steps required to build things . Like many future engineers , he used his Lego collection to gain knowledge . He loved robotics . His goal is to attend Texas A & M University , Georgia Institute of Technology or Purdue University .
Lopez takes pride in sustaining the Knights culture and climate every day at school . He plays on the football team . He works selling snow cones in the summer , pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees after Halloween for Scallywags Pirate Ship Shop . Lopez has volunteered through the Knights football team with Best Buddies and Special Olympics . He and his mother volunteer with Habitat for Humanity , where he utilizes his love of building to help others . He is active in his church and is considering a mission trip . His life is like many of his peers – focused around family , school and sports .
Arturo is enrolled in the Career and Technical Education Center ’ s Project Lead The Way engineering program and takes Engineering Design & Development with instructor Ken Strong , who says Arturo is a model student who often goes above and beyond what is expected . In class , he and his classmates are working on a year-long project where they will identify a problem , research and develop possible solutions , design a product and meet a presentation deadline . He ’ s gaining real-world experience in the engineering world .
“ My presentation date is May 17 ,” Lopez said . “ But Mr . Strong says not to think about solutions yet , because you can ’ t skip steps . Take everything one step at a time , identify a problem first .”
Lopez appreciates the experiences available to him in Frisco ISD and the greater community . He points to getting to meet community leaders and business professionals face to face – whether through the CTE Center or through his involvement last year on the Mayor ’ s Youth Council in Frisco .
“ You get to spend time with people like former Mayor Maher Maso ,” he said . “ Our schools have a lot of programs that offer kids opportunities to meet all kinds of people .”
As a student ambassador , Lopez has worked to build a welcoming and healthy environment at Independence . He has led awareness and prevention programs , helped new students find a place on campus and visited elementary schools to talk to younger students about smart choices . He also serves on the District ’ s School Health Advisory Council .
“ I don ' t know of a student I ' ve been more impressed with ,” said FISD Safe Schools Coordinator James Caldwell .
Lopez ’ s experience as a student ambassador has prompted him to think a lot about the world waiting for him and his peers after high school and how they can make it a better place .
“ I hope we are able to construct a better future through co-existence – really create a positive culture where everyone feels welcome ,” he said .
The future engineer wants to use the gifts he has received from his education for good .
“ For myself personally , I hope I can give back ,” Lopez said . “ You know , to whom much is given , much will be required in return .” •
Arturo Lopez III is a senior at Independence High School , where he has helped plan prevention programs and foster a positive campus climate .
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