Leena Kasmi

Soquel High School

December 1st, 2023

Santa Cruz Unsung: Illuminating Bryan

Anderson’s Educational Impact
As students getting through high school, whether first-year students or seniors, it’s difficult to
manage all these things in our lives, especially the challenges school has us face, such as preparing for
college, managing schoolwork, and least talked about, mental health. When it comes to these difficulties,
many students know to go to Mr. Anderson.

Bryan Anderson, a counselor at Soquel High School, grew up a troubled child, like many of the kids who
have had the opportunity to have him as a counselor. He was often in and out of trouble, being sent to an
alternative school. From the most intelligent students needing help with college planning to the kids who
always felt a little different from their peers, Mr. Anderson knew how to help. He was raised with addict
parents who didn’t support him, so he relied on the educators and counselors in his life.

Bryan Anderson’s brother and sister didn’t attend college. With no one in his life to give him that drive to
pursue further education, those key educators breathed life into him. He was the first in his family to go to
college and began turning his life around, pursuing his dreams.

Today, he’s in his 23rd year of inspiring kids from Soquel High School, giving the gift that was given to
him when he was going through hard times. Mr Anderson’s goal when he began his job as a guidance
counselor was to help people. Bryan says that Santa Cruz City School educators were the people who
believed in him when no one else did, not even himself. He’s all about giving people chances; he tells
people, “Stay the course, even when you don’t believe in yourself.”

On Mr. Anderson’s average day, he likes to start with some good old roots reggae. He quotes,
“Everybody needs a proper education” by Mikey Dread, a famous reggae artist. He spends his time
guiding teenagers to be their best person, encouraging students to follow and succeed beyond their
wildest dreams. He truly believes in all of his students, having the opportunity to help 5000+ kids in his
time as a counselor.

According to a parent of two children who Bryan Anderson has counseled, he says that “Brian is a good
person, passionate about his job, and goes beyond the call of duty to help students and parents alike to
resolve their problems; Brian is also a fun person to talk to, it’s been a real pleasure knowing him, the
world would be a better place with more people like him in it.” Bryan knows how to give a hand to the
most troubled people and show them what they can do.
In Bryan’s earlier years, he met a boy named Richie Gonzalez. Richie came from Mexico and was put
into a job, basically getting taken advantage of at a young age. Mr. Anderson took Richie to live with him
with his wife. They lived in a garage and shared their little space with him. Richie didn’t speak English
and barely any Spanish; he had never even had a hamburger before. Mr. Anderson took him under his
wing, teaching him some of his hobbies, like how to swim and surf. When Mr. Anderson let him off on
his own, Richie Gonzales flourished as a famous surfer, managing surf shops and hiring Mr. Anderson’s
daughter.

This inspiring story shows Bryan’s drive to better people; even someone he had no obligation to help, he
stepped in. According to Mr. Anderson, “Your transcript doesn’t reflect you.” He has seen high school
dropouts become Stanford doctors. Bryan isn’t afraid to tell his story to inspire others; he believes
everyone deserves a chance, just like he did. If you water a struggling plant, it may grow into the most
beautiful flower.

He makes everyone he talks to feel like they have a purpose and that they’re needed somewhere. Kids
who don’t bat an eye at keeping good grades become happy to sit down and change after a talk with Mr.
Anderson, he truly has a gift for helping people. Bryan Anderson believes “Even with the worst grades
and the biggest problems, that just means that you have the greatest opportunities.