Diego Sauceda is a study in the joys of breaking the mold.

The Pine Creek High School senior has a stellar academic record and plans to study aerospace engineering, but he has no intention of giving up his penchant for heavy metal music or relinquishing, as he said, “being a little crazy to brighten someone’s day.”

His honors and Advanced Placement classes reflect his commitment to his education, but Stephanie Cornelio, Pine Creek’s college career counselor, says he is much more than a student who gets good grades. She uses words like “inclusive, bright, witty and joyful” to describe Sauceda, known for wearing Metallica T-shirts, a leather jacket and sporting a pompadour hairstyle and participating in mosh pits.

She credits Sauceda for increasing student leadership opportunities. “A major element of an influential leader is someone who can create opportunities for others to serve, and that is Diego’s style,” Cornelio stated. “Diego’s magic is that he can easily connect with others, because he effectively establishes meaningful relationships.”

In his Best and Brightest application, Sauceda attributes his ability to relate well with others to his late grandmother. She died when he was 15 but was a major influence in his life. From his time spent with her while he was growing up, he said he learned “patience, compassion, empathy, curiosity, humor and determination.”

These qualities have served him well as a member of the school’s student council, a tutor and community volunteer. He has served on a number of school committees, participates in CyberPatriot competitions and is a member of the National Honor Society.

He considers the way he shares his time and talents with others to be “a continuation of my grandmother, and it felt as though it was a part of my grandmother.”

Diego tutors younger math students in a nonprofit program initiated by another Pine Creek senior. He also helps promote the organization’s workshops, along with its recruitment and training of new tutors.

“Diego’s accepting and caring leadership style is why groups of students are able to accomplish a goal — he simply brings people together in a way rarely, if ever seen at the high school level,” according to Cornelio.

Sauceda explained his interest in aerospace engineering comes from his view of space as “a catalyst of knowledge, with so much to learn and understand, the possibilities of space are endless.” He added that he believes pursuing this field will make it possible for him, among other things, “To help reduce pollution and save species on this planet … I know one thing is for certain: I want to help the people and life on this planet in whatever way I can.”

Based on his school and community involvement, Sauceda is already moving in that direction by helping with his church, Care & Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity and the American Heart Association.

Plus, Sauceda remains a dedicated heavy-metal fan who isn’t giving up on the idea that it, too, could be part of his future.