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ASHLAND — An Ashland High School graduate is using his college degree to make a difference for low-income children. Miles Rooklyn, 22, was accepted into Teach for America, a two-year volunteer instructor program. The 2009 University of Oregon graduate will leave his home state for a job as a middle school teacher in Texas. He is one of about 5,000 students accepted into the program this year, out of more than 35,000 who applied. "I consider myself pretty fortunate to be given this opportunity," Rooklyn said. His father, Dale Rooklyn, was the principal at Ashland Middle School for nearly two decades. But Miles soon will be roaming the hallways of a school much different than the one his father watched over. Donna, Texas, population 14,000, straddles the line between Texas and Mexico. For the next two years, home for Rooklyn will be a 900-student school there. "I'm going to have a classroom of about 20 or 25 students that are recent immigrants," he said. "The school is about 98 percent Hispanic." Rooklyn's job will be to teach his students English and give them the communication skills necessary to succeed in school. "I'll accompany them to their math and science classes, and make sure they understand what they're learning," he said. Rooklyn's acceptance into the Teach for America program was based on his intellect, leadership ability and extensive Spanish-language skills. Since 1990, the Teach for America program has recruited some of the nation's top college graduates to serve as instructors in low-income communities with high dropout rates. Rooklyn graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oregon's Honors College with a degree in Spanish. He studied for a semester in Argentina, and volunteered at a classroom in Spain. He said he has no doubts about handling the job, but is not entirely sure what to expect as far as life outside the classroom is concerned. For the man who has traveled to Europe and South America, Texas may as well be another planet. "I feel a slight trepidation, just because of the town I've lived in," Rooklyn said. "It's going to be flat, hot and conservative there." But those concerns give way to excitement when he thinks about the role he can play in his students' lives. "It's an incredible opportunity to make a difference," he said. "And I'm excited for that."