• Current Scholars
• Alumni
• Dream Big
• Scholar Travels
• Scholar Art & Music
• Scholar Stories
• The Scholar Experience

Enrique Schaerer

Biography

"As the son of immigrants, I used to think I was disadvantaged, living in a cramped apartment," says Enrique Schaerer. "But I was lucky. My parents created the American dream, right before my eyes. We lived it." His parents left Paraguay as newlyweds, coming here "to succeed, not to survive," Enrique came to understand. And they did just that, combining work with college.

Enrique drew from their passion for success when he went to Notre Dame. He realized immediately that his new classmates came from wealth and privilege: he had a Costco. phone card, they had cell phones - and that was the least of it. But he dismissed the stereotypes and got to work. He became freshman class treasurer, earned a place on the dean's list and in Phi Beta Kappa, and by the end of college had been named valedictorian. Reflecting on the difference between how he performed and what some might have thought about his ability, Enrique observes, "Things are not always what they seem."

In addition to mentoring Hispanic youth, serving as a resident assistant, repairing homes in South Bend, and organizing bingo nights at a retirement center, Enrique decided on pursuing a career in law and public service. He wants to use the law to "fight for equal opportunity and an end to discrimination.for tolerance and an end to bigotry."

Other Scholars Like Enrique