His family had emigrated from Mexico when he was 15 to a new home in St. Louis Park, Minn. Even though Perez excelled at his suburban high school, his parents preferred he get a job and contribute to his family's income rather than pursue the costly dream of a college education.
'In high school, my parents kept pushing me, saying that I needed to become a man and work and support my family,' said Perez, who is now 24.
But last May, he graduated from the University of Minnesota. Next month, he begins a Master's degree in social work.
