I graduated in June 2006 from Loyola Marymount University with
a dual degree in Humanities and Spanish Literature. Ten years ago, the
possibility of attending college seemed so unrealistic. I could not imagine
the possibility of graduating from a four-year university like Loyola Marymount.
At home, graduating from high school was viewed as one of the greatest
academic achievements and I was beginning to assimilate this same complacent
outlook.
My three older siblings only completed high school. Thus, I
am the only one in my family who has attended college. Achieving this level
of my education has required self-determination and dedication.
However, this journey would never have been possible had it not been for
the unending support of the Lennox Partnership Scholarship. The scholarship
has fostered my personal and academic development by empowering me to believe
in endless possibilities.
Having access to a free public education was a
dream achieved since I never had attended school in El Salvador.
Attending school for the first time in Lennox at the age of 10 was a difficult
challenge considering my incompetence in spelling my own name or counting
my numbers. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with the lost years of
my education quickly. As a result, three years after commencing school
I was blessed to receive the Partnership Scholarship at Lennox Middle
School. It has had a tremendous impact on my life.
This scholarship empowered
me to believe in myself and to never stop dreaming of the immense
opportunities ahead. Through the scholarship, my 7th grade mentor, Marina
Wallis, became my role model, counselor and even my guardian all the way
though college. Due to family hardships, I found myself homeless in my
senior year of high school. Mrs. Wallis and her husband, Steve, offered
me their home. Again, had it not been for this incredible support from
the Partnership Scholarship, my dreams would have been put on hold.
I truly
have enjoyed these past four years at LMU. Last summer I was
able to study abroad
in Spain and was able to travel to England, France, Germany,
the Netherlands and Italy. This enriched my personal growth and
allowed me experience other cultures unknown to me. In addition
to study abroad, I have taken advantage of leadership opportunities,
volunteer service and work service presented to me. The support
of my mentors, teachers and benefactor, Dr. Langer, has been
crucial to my success. To reciprocate this generosity, during
my four years of college, I have mentored high school students
and Lennox Middle School 6th graders. At LMU, I also became President
and Founder of the Pre-Law Society and Vice President of the
Spanish Club.
Coming from immigrant roots myself, I personally
have endured the struggles and share the dreams of most immigrants.
As a result, I have been inspired to devote my life to helping
these people who come to the United States to realize that dream
of a better life for themselves and their families. Thanks to
my previous position as an intern for Congresswoman Maxine Waters
and my current employment with Los Angeles County Supervisor
Gloria Molina, I am in a position to assist individuals with
their immigration cases.
I look forward to pursuing a career that will enable me
to support the youth in our community to achieve their potential
as the Partnership Scholarship has helped me.
Reflections
from the Executive Director,
Meg Sanchez
I feel very privileged to have been part of the
Partnership Scholars’ Program since its inception in Lennox in
1996. We started with just one site and seven students and currently
there are over 300 students at more than twenty five sites.
The mentoring that children receive throughout the six years impacts their lives
in many powerful ways. When scholars’ experiences include visits to the
L.A. County Museum of Art, The Museum of Tolerance, the Pantages Theatre, the
Mark Taper Forum, UCLA, Loyola Marymount, San Diego, Santa Barbara, (and in some
cases Boston, NYC and Washington D.C.) their world literally opens up. New environments,
when experienced with a mentor, are no longer frightening or “off limits”,
and these experiences gradually result in confidence and independence.
Partnership scholars come to fully realize that there is no limit to what they
can do with their lives when education is a focus. Glory is so often given to
the athlete; here we give a strong message that being a scholar merits glory
and much more.
One of the most compelling results of the program is that our students become
increasingly more curious and see themselves as capable of satisfying that curiosity.
It becomes apparent that the college experience is essential and that it is clearly
within their reach.
