Pinecrest’s new park service aide Luis Tejeda has a dream that he refuses to let go. He wants to be a place kicker for a National Football League team and he says he’s going to give it a shot.

Luis Tejada

"I’m thinking about trying out for one of the World Football League (NFL Europe) teams and see if I can move up from there to play at the NFL level," he said. "I feel like I have the ability to, hopefully within two or three years, make it to the pros if I work hard at it."

Tejeda, 22, is a 1994 graduate of Miami Lakes Senior High School, where he kicked field goals and extra points for the school’s football team. He was good enough to win a scholarship to the University of Memphis. But, he dropped out and returned to Miami after only a semester.

"It was a small town and, being from Miami, I didn’t adapt to it," he explained. "I was only 18, never been away from home and I missed Mom and Dad. Yeah, it was pretty tough for me at the beginning."

But the football experience at Memphis was a good one and gave him the confidence to think that he has the talent to follow his dream and make it in the pros, he said

"Because I’m working so much, I practice right now only twice a week. I go to one of the local high schools near my house and kick there on my own on the practice field. When the tryouts are about three months away, I’ll start working out more regularly on my own and go to the gym."

Tejeda was born at South Miami Hospital and attended Palm Springs Elementary and Hialeah Middle School. He lives in the Country Walk area with his parents, who are originally from Chile. He is currently enrolled at Florida International University and is an education major.

"I most likely will be a physical education teacher," he said. "I’ve always liked sports. I’ve been around them all my life. I’ll probably teach at the high school level so I’ll be able to coach."

Tejeda works full-time at the Red Lobster Restaurant on N. Kendall Drive near 117th Avenue, but says he’s looking forward to his new position with the Pinecrest Parks and Recreation Department.

"I’m excited about working for the Village of Pinecrest," he said. "My co-workers look like they’ll be fun to work with."

Tejeda describes himself as real friendly and fun to be around, and said he gets along well with everybody.