In 2012, Freddy Davalos proudly crossed the stage in his red cap and gown to receive his high school diploma from Bellaire High School. 

Davalos knew it was time to get serious. He knew he was going to be thrown into the toughness of the real world as the days went by. However, the memories he made as a cardinal student will always remain in his heart, especially the ones he made in his favorite class, Anatomy and Physiology. 

“I didn’t have to take the class but it was extremely fun,” Davalos said. “I possibly learned the most in that class. I even had the chance to hold a cow’s heart. Great times.” 

As all Bellaire’s students and staff know, Bellaire is denoted as a Magnet school for foreign languages. Davalos began high school as a bilingual student being fluent in English and Spanish. He decided to learn Italian and join the Bellaire Italian Club.

 “The club often had small hangouts after school where the members spoke (or tried) in Italian,” Davalos said. “It was simple and fun.” 

After graduating from Bellaire, Davalos realized that his senior year changed him for the better. It is what made him realize that he now wanted to be referred to as “Mr. Davalos” instead of just “Freddy Davalos” at the same high school he attended. 

“I realized toward my senior year at Bellaire that I was willing to try out teaching at the high school level,” Davalos said. “The thought mostly came after really enjoying my senior classes.” 

Davalos teaches Spanish I and II now. He is now referred to as “Sr. Davalos.” Even so, it took him becoming a teacher to perceive the fact that his high school graduation was actually very important. Not all four years of high school were like his senior year full of enjoyable classes. He had failures during his high school career like the students he teaches now. 

“At the time, I didn’t think my high school graduation was important, especially because college was right around the corner,” Davalos said. “But honestly, for the longest I didn’t think I would graduate from Bellaire.” 

He now looks back at his high school years and misses spending time with all the close friendships and classmates.  According to Davalos, you find the most interesting people at Bellaire. Looking ahead, he said he is excited for the new building to open.

“Change is inevitable and necessary,” he said, commenting on the close of the building that opened its doors 66 years ago.  “I feel excited for the students. We all need something to look forward to this year. To be part of Bellaire’s legacy is exciting yet intimidating,” Sr. Davalos said.

“Teachers are important role models in students’ lives and I simply hope that we make students feel confident and positive about themselves.”