Name: Mario Rodrigues
House: Smith-Tyner
Hello, I’m Mario Rodrigues, I’m from Orlando. I live in the Smith-Tyner house in Tallahassee and attend FSU. I found out about SSF simply by searching online for scholarships that provide housing. My parents have made clear and told me directly that they are not able to help me financially, so I took it upon myself to pay for my own education and my goal was to not have to take out thousands in student loans. That’s how I found SSF. SSF has been a godsend, I don’t know how I would ever be able to afford to live in Tallahassee without SSF. I would have to constantly worry about how I’m going to pay rent or pay for dorm costs, and how I would afford to eat. Now I can finally plan on saving up for a car, which would never have been possible without SSF. I am eternally grateful.
On another note, after graduation I plan to go to law school with the end goal of becoming something like an Attorney General. Too many times in our lifetime we have seen powerful people escape justice, and the best way to see that change, is to be that change, at least in my view. Many of the social problems that affect everyone, are not from the crimes of isolated individuals, down on their luck, but from people who’s misdeeds have wide reaching impacts and have the power to shield themselves from the consequences. For those people to see justice is the true meaning of the rule of law.
But aside from all that, I like to play pool on my spare time. I have been playing for 3 years and I now play in the American Poolplayers Association. And if anyone reading this also plays pool, I am open to a challenge. I know the ECA house has a table, and I doubt that many SSF students play pool, but if anyone is interested feel free to ask for me at the Smith-Tyner house, maybe we could play at ECA or even at the pool hall I play at.
In any case, I want to end by saying that I am so fortunate to be a part of SSF, and I want to thank all of those who make this amazing opportunity possible.
