BUHACH COLONY HIGH SCHOOL

1800 Buhach Road & P. O. Box 753

Atwater, CA 95301

(209) 357-6600 Office

(209) 357-6602 Fax

www.bchs.muhsd.k12.ca.us

To whom it may concern;

I am writing to recommend Edgar Mercado for admission to your institution. I have known Edgar for the past year
and a half and have come to appreciate a number of his qualities. Mr. Mercado was a student in my Advanced Placement
English Language and Composition class. This course is incredibly challenging and the rigor is elevated from a normal high
school course. Edgar succeeded in the course through hard work and an attention to detail that was impressive. While in my
class, Edgar demonstrated a number of things that lead me to believe he will be successful in future endeavors. I observed
Mr. Mercado to be a very passionate young man. He was strong in his convictions and was not afraid to share them with other
people. If Edgar disagreed with something, he politely spoke up and inquired as to why things were the way they were. This
was an especially helpful characteristic in class room discussion. He was able to dialogue and work with individuals in a
manner that promoted community and partnership in learning. Mr. Mercado is one of the most intellectually gifted students I
have had the good fortune to teach. He elevated the discourse in class discussion, regardless the topic. Students knew they
would need to be well reasoned when engaging with Edgar. I knew that I would need to make a solid claim and support it if
he were to accept him. Simply put, having Edgar Mercado as a student made me a better educator. Edgar made my classroom
an environment where students sought answers and they were not afraid to question each other to obtain differing world
views to shape their own. My classroom was better for having had him in it.
Edgar was also heavily involved in extra-curricular pursuits. He was president of the Model United nations club at
Buhach Colony. He was an attendee at Boy’s State. He was an integral part of the speech & debate team, of which I am the
coach. Edgar demonstrated a high capability in both speech and debate. He was a congressional and parliamentary debater.
Both these debates require the student to be highly versed in current events and the ability to engage opponents in logical and
critically reasoned arguments with limited preparation. Edgar especially excelled in parliamentary debate. This form of
debate requires the debaters to construct a case within 20 minutes. He and his partner would receive the resolution, of which
they had no knowledge of prior to competition, and construct a case based upon their schema and any prep material they may
have had, without internet access. Edgar’s breadth of knowledge was nothing short of impressive. He was able to discuss
ideas and topics that most high school students were not aware existed. Edgar is a natural leader and he is capable of
elevating any institution he is a part of.
Through the aforementioned qualities and activities, Edgar demonstrated great leadership potential. He has the
ability to create positive and meaningful discourse through his questioning and insight. I also was impressed with Edgar’s
punctuality and dedication. He was very concerned with being on time and allowing himself the ability to be successful
through his punctuality. I believe that Mr. Mercado will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue after his high school
education is complete. He has the ability to adapt and excel in any situation he finds himself in. In the world of higher
education, it is paramount that a student be able to roll with the punches and be flexible as the environment is a very
independent one. Edgar is a very independent, introspective person. He has the ability to function in a rigorous course and
this will serve him well. I highly recommend Edgar Mercado for admission to your institution. It would be in your best
interest to partner with Mr. Mercado in assisting him in reaching his goals. You will not regret it. It will be the best
investment your institution ever makes.

Kris Freitas
English Teacher
Buhach Colony High School