CONWAY, AR -- Roberto Ruiz, 18, entered the ninth grade at Hall High School not knowing how to speak English. Two and a half years later, he won an advanced placement award in English.



Now as a senior, he is graduating at the top of his class. Monday, he toured Hendrix College, where he has been offered at least $60,000 thousand in scholarships, according to his high school counselor, Marshall Slayden.



Ruiz came from Michoacan, Mexico five years ago.

His first language is Tarasco, an Indian/Mexican dialect. Ruiz learned Spanish at 7-years-old. English is his third language.



"When I came to Little Rock, I didn't know many words," says Ruiz.



Ruiz says pronunciation is the hardest part. He says he practices English by listening to others speak.



"Reading helps a lot, too," says Ruiz.



He's extremely shy when he talks especially when it comes to his accomplishments. He has a 4.125 GPA, is on the student council and is a member of the National Honor Society.



"Not only did he keep his head above water, he excelled. He's graduating second in his class, he's taking honors and advanced placement," says Fred Baker, Hendrix College Associate Director of Admissions.



Ruiz credits his parents Maria Antonia Tellez and Jose Ruiz for his grades.



"I think it is seeing my parents sacrifice to educate myself and my brothers," says Ruiz.



Roberto advocates for non-English speakers in Hall's Newcomer Program, offering himself as a tutor and translating morning announcements into Spanish. He serves on Hall's student council, is a member of Beta and Key ...