Joshua Cordova ’24: A Mind of Creativity & Curiosity

Nobel prize-winning author Isaac Singer once wrote that “the purpose of art is not to find what is common but what is unique.” Joshua Cordova, Strake Jesuit senior, exemplifies this uniqueness in his art, in his mindset, and in his effect on the Strake Jesuit community.

I first met Joshua in a Mandarin classroom three years ago. Before he said anything in English to me, he likely was prodded by yours truly to repeat some basic phrases in Mandarin, such as “I like to drink tea” and “I don’t like doing homework.” Whereas some of these phrases might appear a bit mechanical, one that truly resonates for Joshua is 我喜欢跳舞 (wǒ xǐhuan tiào wǔ).

This means “I like to dance.”

To say that Joshua simply likes dancing would be an enormous understatement, regardless of the language you say it in. Over nearly a decade now, Joshua has dedicated thousands of hours to ballet dancing, something he discovered at age ten. Joshua describes how seeing his brother perform in dance inspired him to take it up: “The different variety of movements, the extravagant costumes, the glittering lights, the expressions each dancer used, and the roaring sounds of applause made me want to get up on that stage.”

Joshua transferred to SJ as a sophomore. Beginning in the 10th grade at our school presents some challenges. Whereas ninth-graders are immersed in the Crusader Crew orientation experience and bond with new classmates from their first days on campus, a transfer has to take more initiative in finding his circle of friends.

Joshua credits his teachers for paving the way and helping him feel welcome. He asserts that his teachers truly showed him that they care and got to know him in a meaningful way. He is especially grateful to his Mandarin teacher Mrs. Ione Meyer and his Science teacher Mr. Daminh Tran. For Joshua, Mrs. Meyer has “inspired me to learn about foreign cultures and different kinds of performance.” Mr. Tran has helped Joshua feel comfortable with a subject that has not always been his strong suit: “He always makes me feel ok asking questions. He is a very inviting presence.”

Joshua’s teachers recognize his unique qualities. Mrs. Meyer highlights, “Joshua is the kind of student who sees studying as the journey itself rather than a means to an end; he inspires us with curiosity and creativity.” For Mrs. Lesley Clinton, Joshua’s English teacher this year, Joshua “works hard to juggle numerous responsibilities...he always has a smile on his face and shows up ready to learn, no matter how late he stayed at rehearsal the night before.” Mr. Diego Hernandez, who works with Joshua on a Fine Arts Independent Study, says, “Josh is a talented artist with a great understanding of art composition and color theory. His work is well-crafted and communicates his artistic vision effectively.”

Volunteer work has been especially valuable for Joshua. Spring Fling was a particular highlight for him, allowing him to volunteer and immerse himself in the community. “It really made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than just me,” he remarks. “There’s just something special about this place.” Thanks to Strake Jesuit’s emphasis on becoming a Man for Others, Joshua now sees himself as a servant leader. He actively seeks out opportunities to serve others. One example of this newfound interest in service was his involvement this past Thanksgiving. Joshua spent some of his holidays volunteering in the kitchen for the Team Turkey charity, mashing more potatoes than he’d ever imagined possible and packaging hundreds of meals for the needy.

Joshua sees in dance “an unending journey of self-discovery and learning.” He has big ambitions but knows it is not just about him. He hopes to achieve excellence in his field and perhaps one day become chief choreographer for a major Ballet company. His vision is to serve traditionally underrepresented communities as a mentor and role model in a field traditionally accessible only to a precious few. “My dancing is a small way of breaking the boundaries,” he asserts. Joshua wants to bring more people to dance.

Strake Jesuit is truly blessed to have creative and curious students like Joshua. We hope that he will shine a bright light for others to follow.