“I believe strongly in encouraging our youth to attain their educational and professional goals. As a college graduate, the biggest impact within my community is that I play a role in being an advocate for the youth in Latinx communities.”
After her sister attended a 10,000 Degrees college awareness program, Eslly Hernandez wanted in. But she could never have imagined how 10,000 Degrees would shape both her college and career trajectory! The powerful combination of a 10,000 Degrees scholarship plus ongoing college support proved invaluable to Eslly. Her mentors answered her school questions, pointed her to resources, and provided accountability to maintain a good GPA. Eslly earned not one but three degrees: two A.A.s and a B.S. Even after graduating, 10,000 Degrees’ support continued with aid to offset her school debt, networking opportunities, and an info session with First Republic Bank in 2021 that lead to her first job!
“As a college graduate, the biggest impact within my community is that I play a role in being an advocate for the youth in Latinx communities. That is because I encourage the youth to attain their educational and professional goals. My mother moved back to Mexico when I was 18 years old, and I got myself through college. The role that 10,000 Degrees had in my career choices was due to the continuous financial, and networking support. In November 2021, I joined an info session that 10,000 Degrees hosted with First Republic Bank, and from that day on my career with First Republic Bank was introduced.”
From her Keynote Speech at our 2023 One Amazing Community Gala
“If you are to take one thing from me today, it is that it’s important to continue to fund programs like 10,000 Degrees so they can continue to support future generations of students like me and my siblings. It takes a village to grant a student the opportunity to have access to a better future.”
