From Second Grade to CMU

The day before the semester started, J.D. Hopper got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital overnight. This wasn't how the San Diego native pictured preparing for his first day at Carnegie Mellon University. Even though he was 2,400 miles away from home, Hopper had a familiar face to turn to during a stressful time - lifelong friend and fellow first-year student, Pablo Anton. For Hopper and Anton, coming to Carnegie Mellon has been the latest chapter in a lifelong friendship. Now sophomore lighting design majors, Hopper and Anton's friendship dates back to second grade when they attended the same Spanish immersion elementary school. By middle school, Hopper began exploring the world of technical theater. It wasn't long before Anton became involved as well.