SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

"Work hard for what you want and don't ever let anyone tell you you can't," said United States Air Force Captain Jesus Raimundi III, "Fight for it and believe in yourself."

As an alumnus of the class of '98, he shared with the students his experiences serving in the U.S. Air Force, his deployment to Iraq and even some of his trials and tribulations with some of University School's very own teachers. As a regular high school student, Raimundi joined the swim and wrestling teams as he thought "they were the only 'cool' sports offered at the school." He served as the class representative for student government throughout high school and as the school's representative to the county.

Students thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his experiences in 10th Grade English Honors with Linda Winrow. As her current students battle her essay prompts and research papers, he noted that "Mrs. Winrow's class was the toughest time in my life…I almost failed her midterm."

Winrow laughed in agreement. "He was so full of life, he was always smart…but he didn't like to do his homework." She added that on his prior visits to the school, he would always tell her students to work diligently and pay attention. "He'd say, 'You must listen to her. You'll be happy, trust me,'" she said.

Students easily related to Raimundi's indecisiveness during the college application process. As juniors slowly begin the arduous task of scrutinizing lists of universities while seniors determine their college majors, some expressed concern that they were not certain of their field of study.

Raimundi explained how he felt the same way in high school. Although he displayed an interest in medicine, he only truly knew he wanted a career in which he had to work hard. "I only knew I really wanted to go to the Air Force Academy three days before I graduated high school," he said.

The application process for a military school is not as easy as it appears. Not only does the applicant need to maintain high grades, but he also needs a nomination from a U.S. senator or representative. Raimundi attained his nomination from Florida Congressman L.C. Hastings, but he had to apply to the Air Force Academy twice before he was accepted.

Despite the painstaking process of applying and the difficulties he had to endure prior to and during his attendance at the Academy, he said it was well worth the effort. "My four years at the Academy were hell. But it was awesome!" he said. In 2005, Raimundi was deployed to Iraq for five months to help rebuild the Iraqi Air Force headquarters. He then spent the subsequent three years in Germany and is currently working as a communications officer in San Antonio, Texas. "He has earned everything he has accomplished," said proud mother Miriam Mercado. "And I just wanted him to go to college and get an education!"

The University School, too, expressed their happiness for his success. "I always knew he would turn out great," said Bunny Blattner, the school's alumni coordinator. "I'm so proud of him. He always used to hang out in my office and now he's leading men and women out in the field! It's truly a remarkable accomplishment."