Rolando J. Vargas (Ro Lo) came to the United States in 1991 from Colombia. He sought to become one of the first in his family to receive accredited high school and college degrees. Ro Lo attended Nativity Mission School in New York City and received a full scholarship to South Kent School (SKS) in Connecticut. With the support from his family and his hunger for the “American Dream,” Ro Lo graduated from SKS and went on to receive two college degrees . Dream come true. 
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Growing up, I had a lot of dreams and goals. I knew I had to expose myself to new experiences and people if I was to ever broaden my interests and knowledge beyond the limits of all that was familiar to me at the time.
I vividly remember my four years at ‘The Hillside’ (South Kent’s nickname.) I was filled with mixed emotions the entire time. Until then I had only been exposed to people with the same racial and socio-economic background. Like many foreigners arriving in the US, our family associated ourselves with our “own kind,” and focused solely on our “own” interests. At South Kent I was studying amongst students that were largely outside of my racial and socio-economic bubble which, to say the least, was a very rich, revealing experience.
During freshman year, I had African American, Korean and Caucasian roommates. Upon entering the dorm, I marked my territory and put my Colombian flag on the wall. They laughed. “Where are you from,” they asked. With a lot of pride, I answered, “Colombia.” They looked puzzled. That’s when we all just started laughing. It filled me with joy to know that I had a new task of teaching them about my heritage and background.
There were only three other Hispanic students enrolled: One was the son of the former president of Venezuela; another was the son of the CEO of Pepsi in Mexico; and the other was simply rich. I felt completely out of place, inadequate. But as time progressed, I realized that our differences made us unique, and did not create separatism.
SKS gave me so many different opportunities that I never would have been exposed to had I not attended prep school. The experience challenged any self-limiting beliefs I may have harbored and made me dream BIG!!
After attending SKS, I no longer felt inferior because of my socio-economic status, and felt privileged to have had the opportunity. With the upper class education I received, I felt empowered and that my economic status was no longer a part of my identity.
- Rolando J. Vargas
Ro Lo is a performing artist working in films, commercials, television, magazines, runway shows, radio, off-Broadway & Broadway productions. He received “The Best Supporting Actor Award” at The NY International Film & Video Festival. He lives a bicoastal lifestyle between NYC and LA and is the CEO & Co-Founder of Go-Lo Productions.
