Alonso Ponce was like just about every kid after a long day of school—as soon as he dropped his backpack, it was straight to the television. Cartoons were his favorite until his parents suggested a different program: Animal Planet. Like many adventurous and wildlife-obsessed kids, Ponce idolized Steve Irwin. But while his peers marveled at the Crocodile Hunter’s willingness to jump in a swamp filled with alligators, Ponce admired Irwin’s ability to educate. Ponce loved learning. Unlike many of his classmates, English was his second language. And unlike most of his classmates, Ponce lived in a different country. He grew up in Tamaulipas, Mexico but went to school just across the border in Brownsville, Texas. Since Spanish is his native language, Ponce practically taught himself English by poring over books at the library and constantly watching nature shows on TV. “In school you have the kids that like sports or the kids that like reading,” says Ponce. “I had to be...