Embracing the Change: A Path to Innovation

 When a family enrolls their child at Nativity Prep Academy, they are, in effect, giving their child the opportunity to write their story with endless possibilities. Maria Jimenez was the first Jimenez sibling to attend Nativity Prep, as part of the first graduating class in 2005. Her graduation launched the enrollment of her younger brother, Jesus Jimenez, in 2006. Jesus unknowingly was about to embark on a journey that would lead him down a path of chance and change.

Having always attended public school before his start at Nativity, Jesus didn’t know what to expect when switching over to a private Catholic school. However, he had always liked – even welcomed – change, so this was going to be an exciting new experience for him. In the school’s early years, all students

were required to attend a month-long summer school session, allowing the new students a chance to adjust and familiarize themselves with the programthey were about to undertake. This transitional summer would prove beneficial, allowing him to ease into the new environment and make friends along the way before dealing with the pressures of school. Once the normal school year began, Jesus would continue adjusting to the new school structure and expectations, like the school day ending at 6 pm. While there was always someone complaining about the long hours, Jesus found that he didn’t mind. After getting to know his peers better and hearing about some of the situations they faced at home, Jesus learned to appreciate how Nativity removed them from their reality and placed them in a safe space to learn and grow. The long hours allowed Jesus and his friends to dedicate study hall time to homework, participate in sports, and continue building community. He remembers the good times he had with his friends on the basketball court. Although they were never the best team and didn’t win any games, they would always have a blast playing basketball and enjoying their youth.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. In 2009, it was time for Jesus to close his chapter at Nativity and begin planning his next steps. The high school application process was daunting. There was pressure from his family and Nativity to attend a good school. He received news that he was accepted into Cathedral Catholic High School. While he knew that Cathedral was an amazing school and a great option, Jesus was unsure if that school was for him. The distance between his home and the school was discouraging. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the opportunity. Two weeks before starting at Cathedral, Jesus received news that he was accepted into Francis Parker!

Jesus acknowledges that he is fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend such a prestigious school. Knowing Parker’s rigor, Jesus knew it would be tough, but he felt well-equipped after graduating from Nativity. Once school was in session, Jesus was able to meet good people and begin establishing his network. Francis Parker offered a similar support system to the one Nativity provides its students, according to Jesus. The heavier workload was going to take some time adjusting to, but that was something Jesus was no stranger to. His time in the Learning Center provided him with the study hall period he was accustomed to during his time at Nativity. With a bit of hard work and dedication, the transition was easy and natural – a testament to his preparedness, which came from Nativity Prep. Jesus had always been a music enthusiast. It wasn’t until his junior and senior years of high school that he became serious about what could come out of it. John Ramirez, his violin teacher at Francis Parker, played a crucial role in the development of Jesus’ instrumental career. Ramirez became a great mentor who guided Jesus into the world of classical music. He formed part of a mariachi group, played solo concerts in Mexico and California, and even began hosting different workshops! As his senior year drew to a close in 2013, Jesus began preparing for his next big change. He received support from his school counselor in preparation for college applications. With the unwavering support and mentorship of Elijah Bonde, Jesus knew that hecould always come back to Nativity and ask for help. The Graduate Support Program was still in its infancy, but Mrs. Xochitl Alvarez found a way to assist Jesus with ACT preparation.

In 2013, Jesus graduated from Francis Parker and made the significant decision to take a gap year. During this time, he was able to travel and perform in a variety of music shows and concerts, both nationally and internationally. This period of his life confirmed his love for music, especially the violin. Consequently, Jesus would then decide to enroll in Point Loma Nazarene University to study Instrumental Performance with a focus on violin. 

Jesus remembers his time at Point Loma as difficult; it wasn’t what he had expected. Despite his previous experience as a performer for big shows and venues, he felt his professors were content with his performances rather than challenging him to become a better artist. Jesus looked back at his time at Francis Parker, where John Ramirez had always pushed and empowered him to not only become a better musician but also a better person. He carried that lesson with him and instilled it into his work ethic and development. In 2018, Jesus walked across that graduation stage feeling as if he had already done everything he wanted to accomplish within the music industry. He had to ask himself again what this next chapter of change would look like.

Growing up during the internet’s rise and the tech boom, Jesus had always enjoyed learning how to utilize new technology. He constantly developed new ideas about iPads, smartphones, and computers. The many learning opportunities sparked innovative ideas. Jesus recognized that it wasn’t just about dreaming about them but finding a way to implement them. After graduating from Point Loma in 2018, he enrolled in Cal State University San Marcos to study Computer Science, something completely different from what he had imagined for himself. Jesus’s time at CSUSM was remarkable. He found himself another valuable mentor and professor, Antonio Martinez. Martinez would take Jesus under his wing and teach him the ins and outs of the science behind the screen. Being part of Martinez’s close-knit circle allowed Jesus the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships within the group. Martinez always took time with each student, allowing Jesus and his peers a space to explore, learn, and create. The more Jesus interacted with technology and computers, the more he immersed himself in that universe. Jesus recalls, “anything that I learned about, I wanted to make something out of it.” Now and then, business ideas blossomed in his head.

After graduating from San Marcos in 2020, he landed a job as a software engineer. While he was grateful for the job, he was unhappy in his position. He was an innovative creator, but they were just having him fix small problems. During this time, he dedicated his evenings (his 5 to 9 after his 9 to 5) looked like dedicating his free time to his passion projects. In October 2023, after careful planning and saving, Jesus dropped everything to pursue those passion projects full-time. He would pack all his belongings and make the monumental move to Japan. Always one to welcome change, Jesus would devote this next chapter of his life to himself and his passion. The change of scene gave him a clean slate to work on; he had no constraints. Having the opportunity to learn about the technology in a new and different country provided a muse of diverse ideas that he would have never imagined otherwise.

After returning from Japan, Jesus felt confident and equipped to make the business moves he had always aspired to accomplish. He then conceptualized Innovative Internet Creations. I.I.C. began as a digital agency that specializes in web development, creative design, and professional online solutions for businesses. This soon led to an educational platform, Block to Bytes. Block to Bytes is a coding program that offers hands-on workshops for students to learn coding in an immersive environment, empowering them to tap into their creativity and curiosity. Jesus wanted to create a space where young minds could freely explore the world of STEAM. Although STEAM is a growing industry, Jesus acknowledges the challenge it faces as AI rises. Jesus views this as a tension between convenience and genuine learning. It’s not about getting the work done, but rather about being smart and knowing how to utilize the resources available, including AI. As he learned at Nativity, these lessons come through education; he is honored to provide students the space to learn and question the science around coding. His program, Block to Bytes, recently acquired partnerships with the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, the Boys and Girls Club of San Diego, the San Diego Unified School District, various YMCA locations throughout San Diego, and, most significantly, Nativity Prep! Jesus is honored to partner with our STEM program, bringing Block to Bytes to our students.

Jesus attended Nativity Prep in the school’s early years. He is grateful for all the guidance and support he has and continues to receive.

Since his graduation from Nativity in 2009, the Graduate Support Program has been successfully implemented and has helped so many students find their path to their dreams. Jesus applauds Nativity for the good it has done since its inception, and for the ripples of change it continues to create for the young students in the academy. Now, as a small business owner, he has made it his goal to reconnect with Nativity, hoping to influence and elevate his successors to become the next generation of innovative creators. Learn more about Jesus’ business ventures at innovativeinternetcreations.com.