From Nigeria to Sacramento, Del Mar's Alex Oko is Going the Distance

Alex Oko has an infectious smile. He's serious at first, but get him to laugh, and there it is.

His easy-going personality is evidently something that gained him popularity with all the students at . As we walk, students stop and say hello, guys do some sort of hand-shake with him, and the girls give him hugs.

Alex says the hardest part of living here is understanding the people. He spent a large part of his life in Texas before moving to the San Jose-Campbell border, but he grew up in Nigeria, Africa. His mother, Tina Buchi, and siblings, Joseph, 10, and Kennedy, 5, are all still there.

He spoke with his mother on the phone two months ago, talked about school, assuring her that he was listening to his uncle, Emeka Nkwo Sr., and that he was excited about graduating high school. He promised that he wasn't getting into any trouble.

This is part of a series of high school graduation stories that will run throughout the week, highlighting high school seniors at the various school sites and their stories.

All the schools within the district are holding their graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 9.

This is Alex Oko's story.

Campbell Patch: How are you feeling?

Alex Oko: Good. I finished two finals today, ate a lot all day, and today was pretty easy. A relaxed day.

Patch: What will you miss most?

Alex: A lot of people. The juniors. This year, I made a lot of junior friends. And some teachers. I got really close with some of them, too. The one-on-one time.

Patch: What will you miss least?

Alex: The homework and tests, especially in Trig.

Patch: Who inspires you?

Alex: My dad, Christopher Oko. He was generous. He made sure that I had what I needed to be successful. He made sure education was a huge part of my life. Because it would help in my future.

My dad died in 2007. It was unexpected. He was in a car accident. It was really hard on me.

Just two weeks before that, my step-mother, Mary Graham had just gave birth to twins: Sandra and Christie, both 3 years old now. I just thought it was so unfair. They would never get to know the person I knew. My dad had given me the most important thing, and he was taken away.

Patch: What teacher made an impact in your life?

Alex: My Spanish teacher, Mrs. Hoss. She made education fun. She gave us her past experience and made us understand that school wasn't just work. It was to help make things better for yourself.

Patch: What college are you planning to attend?

Alex: Sacramento State University. I'm excited. It was my third choice. My first choice was UCLA or UC Davis, but I wasn't accepted. I'm hoping that after two years, I can transfer to Davis.

Patch: Are you the first to go to college in your family?

Alex: My uncle, Emeka Nkwo Sr., went to college in Nigeria, but I'll be the first here.

Patch: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Alex: A pediatrician. I used to take care of my little brothers and sisters in Texas. I'm good with kids. I have a good pediatrician, too. He makes you feel comfortable, and I can do the same thing.

Patch: What was your favorite high school memory?

Alex: It was not too long ago. The football homecoming game. This year, we were losing, 27-21. I threw the final touchdown with seven seconds left on the clock, and we won.

I also won Homecoming King that night.

Patch: What was your most difficult high school challenge?

Alex: Moving from Texas to California and getting adapted to the culture. A lot of people here say "hella." It was strange getting used to people and meeting new friends.

I had been in Texas for five years with my dad but when he passed away, my mother didn't feel comfortable with me living with my step-mom, so I left and came here to live with my uncle.

Patch: What was your favorite class?

Alex: P.E., because it was fun, I was good at it, and it was an easy A.

Patch: What was your least favorite class?

Alex: Trigonometry. It was hard. There was a lot of note taking.

Patch: Any plans after graduation?

Alex: Not sure yet. Maybe go to a friend's graduation party.

Patch: Why is it important, to you, to go to college?

Alex: I want to make it myself and start off a better future for my family. I want to help out my mom. She did a lot for me without the help of my dad.  I want to set an example for my little brothers and sisters. They could do it, too.