SAN ANTONIO -- It's not every day that a Southside San Antonian goes on to run one of the world's fashion empires.
- Robert Chavez is president and CEO of of Hermès of Paris Inc.
- Chaves returned to Southside San Antonio Wedneday
- Students were inspired by Chavez's success story
The president and CEO of Hermès of Paris Inc. Wednesday stopped off at his old Alamo City stomping grounds.
"His room used to be right over here. This used to be the English department," said Hermès of Paris Inc president and CEO Robert Chavez as he made his way through his old school.
Dressed in a classic orange tie, Chavez took a familiar tour. Forty-five years ago, he walked the halls, sat in the seats, and dreamed the same dreams as today's students at Burbank High School on the Southside. Back then, little did the 1973 San Antonio valedictorian know that he'd eventually oversee the French high fashion brand.
"I had strong teachers, I had strict teachers, I had fun teachers, but I really owe all of it to them," Chavez said.
What better way to thank his school than by sharing his journey.
"You can do whatever you want to do," he said to the group of students.
His message of hard work and doing what you love hit home for students like Ally Cantu.
"It's just really, really motivating, especially since he comes from Burbank and he's doing exactly what I want to do in life," she said.
When asked about the differences between living and going to school on the Southside of San Antonio and attending an Ivy League school in the Northeast United States, he admitted some moments stick out.
"All the kids were talking about what they got for graduation. Somebody else said, 'Oh, my parents gave me an Audi.' And I didn't even know what an Audi was. I never heard of an Audi," Chavez said.
Fast forward a few decades and while much has changed on the outside, that same Southside kid remains on the inside.
"When I come back here I still like to drive back to my old street and past the old house. Growing up here was very very influential on my upbringing and my ability to do what I do today. I've never forgotten that and I've never forgotten where I came from," Chavez said.
As for Ally, it's a message she'll never forget either.
"I think because we're on the Southside people look down on us here and there and we don't have as much money as other schools. He went through it worse than we did and now I think we have no excuse," Cantu said.