What Mr. Dueñas’ Students Have Said About Him:
If you want to express you thoughts about Mr. Duenas, please email us and we will post your thoughts about Mr. Duenas. You may remain anonymous if you wish.
Student, Class of ‘85:
“I was not the typical visitor to Mr. D’s office. I was a good student academically. But, I lacked self-confidence, and had a terrible self-image…Mr. D recommended that I take a career assessment test and then patiently went over the results with me…Had it not been for Mr. D’s encouragement, inspiration and faith in me, who knows where I would have ended up…Mr. D believed in me when no one else did.”
Student, Class of ‘85:
“Mr. Duenas made a huge impact on me. I have always wanted to be a police officer. Mr. D and I had talked about it in his office on several occasions. I told him that I didn’t know if I had what it took to be a police officer. Mr. D encouraged me to follow my dream and do whatever it took to make the dream a reality. He also told me that whatever job I took later on, just make sure that I was happy doing what I was doing and be the best at it……….. I am happy to say that I have been a police officer for 17 years, I love what I am doing, and I may not be the best cop, but I always give 110%”
Student, Class of ‘85:
“Mr. Duenas was a clear, honest, loving voice during high school. I remember many afternoons in his office, talking over whatever “major problem” I thought I was dealing with. He always treated us with respect and love, and although I am sure it was hard, he took our issues seriously. After school, my parents were moving out of state. I was trying to decide if I was going to apply to Cal Poly. I was not sure if I could make it in college, feeling alone and scared. Mr. D took so much time with me. He made me realize how important this was to my future. I can hear him saying “it will change your life, doll”. Because of him, I went to college and had an amazing career. I met my husband through my job. I now have two children and another on the way. My eight year old has never questioned if he will go to college. He has heard me tell him how it changed my life.”
David Saw Class of 86:
I graduated from DBHS in 1986 (No, I wasn't on the five year plan), and Mr. Holmes allowed me to have Mr. Duenas as my GLC, my senior year. I got to know Mr. D as a freshman, when I met a short man with an earring and a SF Giants fan. I thought this man must be crazy, a Giants fan behind the Blue Curtain? But what was crazy was that, whenever I needed somebody to talk to, this short man, with an earring was always there. He always made the time to help me, even though he wasn't my GLC. My senior year, the day Mr. Holmes passed away, they let us out of school early and as I was going to my locker, I saw Mr. Duenas. He came up to see if I was Ok. He told me "Hey it's ok to cry." Me being the punk kid, said "I'm a man. I don't cry."
In 2004 I told Mr. D that the only man that day was him. I learned from Mr. D that being a man doesn't involve playing a sport or being able to bench press the world. It is about caring for people. It is about doing anything you can help make somebody else's day or life better. Mr. D made so many people's lives better. It may have been a kick in the butt to one person and a shoulder to lean on for another. But he had that special gift to know which way was the best way to help that person. There is no way I could ever repay Mr. D for everything he did for me.
