By John A. Huguley
Behind Angel Vazquez’s quiet determination is a story of resilience, family support, discipline, and a young man’s commitment to building a meaningful future in a world where positive teens are often overshadowed by negative headlines.
Angel Vazquez was 11-years-old when The Auburn Examiner first shared his story in July 2020. At the time, he was known as a young Auburn boy with a crochet hook, a growing talent for turning yarn into handmade items that made people smile, and a shelf at A Little Knitty, a yarn and fiber arts shop in Auburn.
Now 17, Angel’s story has grown far beyond crocheting.
Angel is a student at Auburn High School and is enrolled in the Running Start program at Green River College. He balances school, his job, family life, and his long-term goal of becoming a registered nurse in pediatrics. Earlier this year, Angel was promoted to assistant manager at Cow & Cod, a well-known Auburn restaurant that evolved from the historic Auburn Herfy’s burger location. He has worked there for the past two years.
His mother, Monica, said Angel has continued to grow in every area of his life.
Angel first taught himself to crochet when he was 9-years-old. Soon after, Monica enrolled him in classes at A Little Knitty. Store owner Jen Reeves later told Monica that Angel had become too advanced for the classes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves gave Angel a chance to sell his handmade items from a shelf inside the store. At 11, he received his first paycheck from the sale of his crocheted work.
That early discipline carried into other parts of his life.
During middle school, Angel found a new passion in music through orchestra. Monica said his teacher, Mrs. Grey, helped guide that interest. Angel advanced in orchestra and maintained perfect attendance for three straight years. Before entering Auburn High School, he submitted a recorded performance to be considered for the school’s philharmonic program. He was accepted.
At Auburn High School, Angel received an honor society award while maintaining strong grades. At 15, he got his first job at Cow & Cod. The restaurant’s owner, Alex Hong, has also hired several of Monica’s other teenage children over the years.
Angel took the Metro bus to and from work while saving money for a car. On his 16th birthday, he reached that goal and bought his first car.
His work ethic was put to the test on June 29, 2025, when Angel told his mother he was having chest pain. Monica urged him to call out from work and go to the hospital, but Angel did not want to miss his shift. They agreed that if he still felt bad after a few hours, he would seek medical care.
Staff at work later sent him home after noticing he did not look well. Angel was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a fully collapsed right lung, also known as a right-sided pneumothorax. He had a chest tube inserted and was transferred to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma.
After monitoring showed no improvement, doctors decided surgery was needed. Doctors removed a portion of Angel’s lung and placed three staples. Angel remained strong through the hospital stay, surrounded by family, while his siblings stayed by his bedside day and night.
After surgery, Angel spent part of his summer recovering instead of being out with friends. He has since healed and returned to the gym, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Angel said his drive comes from wanting to build a strong future.
“I like to succeed in life because it shows I’m dedicated and willing to put in work,” Angel said. “I think I got to where I am today mainly because of my family. They encourage me and push me to find my true potential. I believe the way my mom has raised me truly shows in the person I’ve become. She’s taught me to be responsible and professional. This is very important to me, knowing not many parents put in that effort to give their kids a bright future.”
Angel said his experience in the hospital also helped shape his future career goals.
“My main goal is to become a registered nurse and attend a good university,” he said. “I experienced a collapsed lung, which really changed my life. I wish to be as helpful as the nurses who cared for me at Mary Bridge Hospital.”
Monica said Angel deserves credit for the work he has put in, but she also believes parenting plays an important role in helping children build discipline and direction.
“Being a mother has always been one of the deepest parts of who I am,” Monica said. “I love my children fiercely and believe in creating a nurturing home environment. At the same time, I hold high expectations for my children because I want them to grow into strong, responsible, and resilient adults. I don’t believe in softening the realities of life. I believe in teaching hard lessons, accountability, and preparing my children for real-world challenges rather than shielding them from them. In our home, there are rules, curfews, and expectations, but above all, I want my children to grow up with respect for themselves, for others, and for the values we try to live by as a family.”
Angel’s story began with crochet, but it has grown into a larger picture of discipline, family support, work ethic, education, and personal responsibility. He has ties to Auburn schools, local businesses, music, health care goals, and the community that first saw him as a young boy selling handmade items from a shelf in a yarn shop.
For Monica, this follow-up story is also a chance to share something positive.
“People read bad news, but I’m sure they would appreciate some happy news here in Auburn,” Monica said. She added that she is “fed up with violent teens making the news” and feels that outstanding teens in the community are often left in the shadows while violent crimes receive the spotlight.
Monica said her grandmother once shared a piece of advice that has always stayed with her.
“You don’t get anything positive out of negative.”
Be First to Comment