What did the graduates of the Class of 2023 learn from their high school experience? Real Salt Lake Academy High School graduate Brandon Guzman learned: “Your mindset is what can make or break you in any situation—it’s how you react to things.”

Brandon’s reactions to his circumstances are what set him apart as an outstanding person.

When he transferred to RSLAHS for his junior year, Brandon said he was at a low point, struggling with sports injuries, performance and confidence because he took every criticism to heart. His coaches helped him bounce back, learn how to take criticism and embrace a united team mindset.

“I started to understand not to let everything get to me, because I’ve noticed that it would affect me more on the field,” Brandon said. “Everyone makes a lot of mistakes, everyone’s human, but it’s how you react to the mistake, and try to learn from it and try not to do it again, because if you don’t learn from it, there’s no point in you making a mistake, you’re just hurting yourself.”

He gives the same grace to others.

“I have never heard him say anything bad about another student or teacher, even when he had reason to,” Rasmussen said. “He is never anything less than kind to those around him and makes each person feel valued and heard. He is also very genuine and shares his honest opinion and advice while still being uplifting.”

When Brandon is having a bad day, he reacts by looking outside himself.

“I’ve always had a lot of discipline within myself, and I always push myself to be my best person,” Brandon said. “Even when I’m at my lowest, I feel like I still try to bring everyone around me to try to uplift them.”

Emma Rasmussen, one of Brandon’s teachers, said, “Even when he has expressed to me that he isn’t having the best of days, I have watched him go offer help and comfort to other students that may need it. He is truly one of a kind and stands out as a good friend and reliable student.” 

When someone else is having a bad day, Brandon reacts with compassion.

“Brandon is a friend to everyone around him, regardless of how well he knows them, how friendly they are to him, or how he is feeling that day,” Rasmussen said.

She was impressed when Brandon came to her to ask that she go easy on a student that was having a bad week and was taking it out on others. “I was truly impressed that even when Brandon was a victim of this student’s bad mood, he still came in to defend them and try to help make a bad week better for them,” she said.

Rasmussen said one day Brandon asked her for clarification on a physics concept, and when he finally understood it, he immediately checked with his lab partner to make sure they understood it, too. “Even when he was stressed and studying, he still took time to help those around him and they were able to improve their knowledge together,” she said.

Even when his uncle, who lived with his family, and his grandma died within a month of each other last year, Brandon was thinking of others.

“When he lost his uncle, his main concern was everybody else, and being there for them and being able to be a support system for them,” RSLAHS counselor Lee Basquin said.

Brandon’s reaction to being part of a team is to be all-in.

Brandon said his favorite part of high school was the social part—making friends, and building relationships with his teammates on the soccer, volleyball and DECA business club team.

“He has a huge heart for the activities and he gives out that heart for other people,” Basquin said. “He’s caring, dedicated, loyal and, honestly, a sweet kid. His intention is for everybody else to get the best and wants to see everybody else successful.”

Brandon supported school activities and usually helped set up for them, as well.

“He is a member of the student council, and he impresses me because he truly exemplifies what it is about—involving other students, bettering himself and being a friend to everybody,” Rasmussen said.

Volleyball coach Kirstin Whitehead said Brandon was a great teammate, always making others laugh and cheering the loudest during games. She appreciated his understanding and maturity when he didn’t get much play time during a game.

Alaina Jensen, Brandon’s DECA partner, said he was a great teammate and easy to be around. “He’s got a good light to him, I think he’s just overall a really great person,” she said. “Good people just inspire other people and so he’s definitely got that about him.”

Brandon’s reaction to a challenge is to remain positive and work hard.

“Brandon is very good at working hard for what he wants,” Rasmussen said. “He realizes when he has fallen short of his goal and he accepts that, but it does not stop him from still working to improve himself. I am always impressed by Brandon’s perseverance and involvement. He is always trying to improve himself and his skills.”

Whitehead said Brandon has a good work ethic, integrity and a happy attitude. 

“I have had very few players in my coaching career that worked as hard as him to learn the game and improve his personal skills, especially in such a short time,” she said. “In the one season he played, he improved tremendously. He works for what he has, and I respect that about him.”λ