As a first generation graduate and the eldest of three, I have set an unprecedented expectation and exemplified what is possible when determined to find success and upward mobility. From a young age I understood the weight of coming from an immigrant household and the sacrifices that were made in efforts for me to avoid poverty, community violence, and to have a better life.
From my time attending community college, to then earning my Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in 2022, I have dedicated myself to finding a path that would allow me to support others. It became clear to me that youth, specifically those who exist in marginalized communities, are the most vulnerable to systemic and/or socio-economic oppression and often lack the resources to find success. The work I do fuels a greater mission to support those youth who are often overlooked, underserved, and neglected.
10,000 Degrees is the reason I am where I am today and why I graduated from college. That’s why I hope you will consider a gift today. Your donations truly make a difference—when you give, it makes a tangible impact on the students right in your community!
From high school: I had a rocky time in high school. I didn’t identify as a smart person. Academics were hard, and I had a lot of avoidance anxiety. But luckily, with 10,000 Degrees, I had a strong community and friends who believed in me.
To college: 10,000 Degrees helped me apply to UCs from community college, get a 10,000 Degrees scholarship, navigate the California Dream Act Application, and more. When I think about everything that helped to get me to where I am today, 10,000 Degrees tops my list.
To my career: As the program director at Huckleberry Youth Programs’ teen crisis shelter, I want to provide a safe space where youth are empowered, seen, and validated. Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, and becoming the first in my family to graduate, I see how I’ve set an example for my younger siblings. I hope to inspire others in similar situations.