The doors swing open and he walks into the packed room of people. He looks over the room and sees a small kid in glasses sitting by himself. He walks over, pulls up a chair, and talks the class period away.  

Sophomore Joshua Romero said he wants to work every day to better himself and those around him by interacting with the people in his school environment. This wouldn’t be possible, however, without the inspiration that is his grandmother 

“She’s older, about 70,” Joshua said. “But she’ll go around the kitchen singing and dancing while cooking.” 

Despite living with Joshua in Saginaw, elder Antoinette Romero grew up in Trinadad Tobago located in the Caribbean. 

“Down there they do a lot of parades filled with traditional costumes and dancing,” Joshua said. “All of that stuff made her very social and free spirited.” 

Mrs. Romero doesn’t let her older age define her. 

“She still goes out clubbing every now and again,” Joshua said. “No matter how old she gets, she still loves to go out.” 

The relationship between grandmother and grandchild can really change how someone thinks 

“When lockdown started, I couldn’t help but be worried about my grandma,” Joshua said. “It made me not want to go out or do anything that could endanger her.” 

But even after lockdown has been lifted, Joshua still feels the effect of his grandmother’s extroverted personality. 

“Going forward I want to come out of my shell a bit,” Joshua said. “My grandma makes talking to people look easy.” 

For some people interacting with others is easy and can sometimes cause minor issues. 

“Anytime I go out my grandma always finds someone to talk to,” Joshua said. “She’ll sit there talking to an employee for an hour and I’m thinking grandma please stop.” 

Every day, one foot in front of the other, he pushes on and grows toward new people. Taking his grandmother’s actions and words to help push him further.