Mayra was an English learner herself. Her rapport with students and ability to help all students comes from her childhood experiences. She's made a commitment to be a bilingual teacher in SFUSD.

“My mom always instilled in my sister and me that one thing we should never take for granted was our education, and I hold that in my heart. I’ve always had a passion for learning, but as I became older, I began to doubt my relationship with education. I also constantly felt like I didn’t belong. Despite my surroundings telling me that school success wasn’t for me, I wasn’t going to give up. During my sophomore year of high school, I joined JUMA, which focused on students like me by helping us learn financial literacy and obtain higher education. I began to see higher education was attainable and my passion for teaching heightened. I don’t want students to feel like I did…like an imposter. They deserve to be here as much as anyone else.

She was born in SF and attended Tenderloin Community ES. Alejandra is a talented and compassionate student who fosters community, making her peers feel welcome. She is funny, outgoing, and thoughtful. She is perpetually curious about the world and her place in addressing larger issues in society.

“Vet by day, and actor by night; this was my dream for years. Both have played an equally important role in my life. My parents' immigration and family background taught me what it means to be persist, self-motivated and hardworking. I grew up in a low-income Mexican household. I organized the Film Club aimed at learning about Latino culture. In college, I plan to partner with local rescues and shelters. Affordable veterinary care is essentially nonexistent. While my parents couldn’t afford the vet, I still needed my dog for support with my anxiety disorder.” 

She was born in SF and attended Fairmount (Dolores Huerta) ES, Lick MS & Lincoln HS. In the classroom, Arly is a leader, someone who is always ready to participate and help others with a smile. She is highly proactive and a go-getter, her positive energy filling the classroom. Also, Arly is an excellent writer and great communicator with maturity well beyond her age.

“I am Guatemalan, bilingual and I’ve learned to love, learn, and appreciate my culture a little more every day. I hope to one day become a doctor. My mom is a single mother of three, working two jobs day and night. She is my role model. I’ve always had to take care of my youngest brother. I have to rush home, make something to eat for the both of us while juggling school and life.” 

Born in Guatemala and arrived two years ago, Bedmar is a very curious and thoughtful student, always wanting to know more about topics that interest him. He is also a voracious reader, constantly ordering books from the library. Bedmar hopes to be able to inspire more immigrant youth to continue with their education.

“Tuve que cruzar la frontera solo para buscar oportunidades de crecimiento personal y educativo. Vengo de una familia que ha enfrentado la pobreza. He tenido que trabajar para ayudar a mi familia, pero eso me ha enseñado resiliencia y habilidades para administrar el tiempo. Crecí en una casa donde solo se hablaba “Mam”. Estoy muy orgulloso de ser parte de la cultura Maya. Mis esperanzas son cultivar una vida aprovechando mis pasiones, como psicología, para apoyar a otros.”

She was born in Honduras and is a voice for social justice and equity for herself and fellow students.She has grown as a leader, and as a young mother. Britny’s a team player who helps classmates. She is mature, responsible, and has an entrepreneurial spirit.

“Mi papá fue una persona luchadora. Un día llegaron a matarlo. Fue una perdida muy dolorosa. Es difícil no poder tener un papá. Desde ese momento le ha tocado mi mamá luchar por nosotras. Soy mamá de una niña de cinco años. Ha sido difícil para mí poder retomar mis estudios, pero lo estoy logrando y no pienso rendirme nunca. Mis esperanzas para el futuro es poder ser empresaria y poder ayudar a las personas de mi comunidad en Honduras.”

Daniel has an altruistic spirit and works for his community while maintaining academic excellence. He has a devotion to immigration law and was a case assistant a SF a law firm. Daniel has been accepted to Columbia in NY.

“My commitment to exploring today's public policies inspired me to advocate for Latinx students' education by founding a tutoring service in the Mission District. I’ve dedicated hours to designing specialized study guides, online resources, and practice assignments tailored to each student. I will continue to advocate for an environment where I and others can succeed in higher education and truly express our cultural identities free of judgment.” 

Born in El Salvador, he came to SF in 2021. Diego is an inspiring student. His resilience, unique background, and unwavering passion for education helps him overcome obstacles. He has a drive to succeed academically.

“El Salvador was tough; my family struggled every day. My mom worked so hard to provide for us, but sometimes we couldn't even afford the basics. I am the only one from my family here, living under the care of a guardian. I know my past experiences have toughened me up and taught me to be resourceful. I want to have my own restaurant to employ young immigrants like myself, to ensure they have a job where their rights are respected. I hope to contribute to a more just and equitable society for all and mentor younger people to become agents of positive change.”

Born in Chicago and raised in Mexico, she has navigated difficult situations, balancing the demands of education and daily life. Elsy is financially independent working part-time to support herself, her mother and her brother. She is a gifted artist who has found in her ability a means of expression and of channeling stress.

“The obstacles in my path have strengthened my resolve to achieve my dreams of a better future for myself, my family and my community. My leadership in OLE was a means to connect with my roots, and to lead initiatives that promote inclusion and respect. Through these activities, I found my voice and a sense of purpose that helped me bring about change with my mother and establish a better family dynamic.”

Born in SF, attended ER Taylor & SF Community K-8. Once Javi realized their interest in life sciences, they applied to many summer research fellowships. They are driven to pursue higher learning because they love it and they want to help their community.

“When I thought of the words ‘scientist’ and ‘researcher’ it was difficult to imagine someone who looked like me. I wanted to explore these fields, so I searched for programs. At the Berkeley National Lab, I found a community who shared similar upbringing and passion for STEM. I’ll be attending Yale this fall, an institution that was not built with us in mind. It will come with challenges, but accessibility and representation matter. I want to bring innovations to our community, which deserves and needs better access.” 

Born in El Salvador, she attended Mission Education Center, ML King Jr MS. Gabriela is deeply kind and remarkably humble given all that she has achieved. She is very mature and acutely aware of other’s needs. She’s not interested in ‘right’ answers, she wants ‘understanding.’ Her writing is beautiful and insightful. Gabby has been able to turn suffering into growth. She is also a caregiver and role model to her younger sister.

“I have overcome obstacles to get the education my mother wanted for me and I have a commitment to return to my community to help people have access to dentalcare. My mom had no idea how to navigate the education system. In high school, I realized my passion for STEM and social justice and found internships to help me explore them.”

He attended Everett MS. Despite facing challenges and loss in his life, Henry is determined to succeed and inspire others. As soccer team captain, he encourages teammates to prioritize academics and personal growth. He faces difficult living conditions but stays positive and contributes to his community. Henry was successful in going to the Board of Ed to advocate for a school nurse. He has a deep commitment to mental health education and student advocacy.

“Yo soy chapín (guatemalteco) y aunque no nací ahí, a los cuatro años mi mamá, mi hermano y yo vivimos allá durante ocho años, los cuales sufrí bastante porque mi papá vivía acá. Después de 7 años, mi papá nos trajo a mi hermano y yo de vuelta, pero, extraño mucho a mi mamá. Soy una persona extrovertida, disfruto mucho las interacciones sociales y me encanta socializar.”   

She was born in Honduras and came in 2020. Isamar has excelled academically and is sociable, service-oriented, and very positive. Other students often turn to her when they need help and she always helps without hesitation. She is a natural teacher and mentor. 

“Mi educación ha sido maravillosa porque he podido desarrollar mis habilidades y he sacado buenas calificaciones. Me he dado cuenta lo capaz que soy de lograr las cosas que me propongo.

Seguiré enfrentando obstáculos en mi vida y seguiré traspasando con ayuda de otras personas y mi dedicación. Soy una persona amable, divertida, dedicada, y me gusta ayudar a los demás. El futuro que yo quiero para la comunidad es que todas las generaciones puedan tener una educación, buen trabajo y sobre todo los valores que son importantes en esa vida.” 

He was born in SF and attended Marshal ES, BVHM, Everett MS & J Jordan HS. Jesus’ ability to balance his academics, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities is guided by his motivation, his motivation to create a better future for himself and his family.

“Being the eldest of three siblings who were raised by immigrant parents requires a different kind of leadership. My experience involves actively supporting my parents, which has forced me to sacrifice and to efficiently manage my time. I hope to become a more informed citizen by actively participating and advocating for legislation and public policy that can positively impact my community.”

She was born in San Francisco and attended Bryant ES, Lick MS & Lincoln HS. Jocelyn is motivated, ambitious, responsible and resourceful. She is fully bilingual and embraces her culture and values. Jocelyn is inspired to help others with disabilities. She is hardworking, resilient and kind. She also has dreams to own her own home in Guatemala and have a business where she invests in other small businesses.

“Siempre me ha honrado ser parte de la comunidad hispana/latino. Desde muy pequeña mi madre me enseñó lo difícil que es trabajar sin ningún título o carrera. Una de tantas metas que tengo es poder obtener mi titulación en enfermería y después estudiar para ser doctora. Mi mayor motivación es mi madre. Cuando me gradúo con el título que deseo seré, un ejemplo para muchos más hispanos/latinos.”

He was born in Honduras and lived there with his brother. His parents brought him here when his brother was murdered by a gang.  Jonatan attended J Muir ES & P Revere K-8. He is curious about the world and takes education very seriously. He is empathetic, generous, and helps others in need. He is a hard-working young man with an incredible story that he hopes inspires others. 

“I decided to invest more time in reading and watching shows in English because I knew that would help me get better in the language. I started to see my improvement and that motivated me to focus on my studies and avoid any distractions that were going to move me away from my goal and path. I think we can build up our community by supporting the learning of many languages.”   

Career Goal: Biology

He was born and raised in SF and attended Alvarado ES & Everett MS. Joseph demonstrates the level of commitment necessary to succeed in college and beyond. He has a drive and eagerness to achieve his goals. Joseph knows how to access school and community resources for himself and other students. He always keeps a positive attitude.

“I have struggled since elementary school. I am doing everything I can to be successful. With sayings from my parents, like “tienes que esforzarte,” I’ve gotten far. One of my teachers coached and guided me to come out of my shell. She inspired me to contribute by helping other students.”

Born & raised in SF, he attended Chavez ES & Lick MS. Josue loves learning about history & geography. He reads it for fun and studies it in his surroundings. He wrote an essay how the history of Mexico has contributed to who he is. Josue also loves architecture and taking care of the environment. He is successful because he is willing to learn, grow and evolve. 

“My parents always emphasized the importance of education. They motivate me to keep pushing forward. I have shaped my leadership abilities, which to me, means guiding and mentoring other people, especially through hardships and when support is needed. Equally important to me is making meaningful contributions to society while never forgetting my roots. I believe every human deserves a place to live; pursuing a career in urban planning could be a way for me to help.”

He was born in SF and attended Marshall ES, BVHM, Everett MS & J Jordan HS. Kevin works hard and lets you know he’s eager and ready to learn. He’s remarkably resilient. Setbacks actually make him stronger and smarter when the next challenge appears.

“The pandemic affected us badly because my mom lost her job and we went through hard times. The hardest obstacle I faced was assimilating to the US. I was born here but my mother sent me to Honduras when I was a baby. I want to become a Physical Therapist. I see this as an opportunity to help others. As a teacher in an after-school program, I plan lessons and create activities to develop students’ learning. I want to create a community where everyone feels safe and has the equal opportunities.”

He was born in New York, came to SF when he was 9 and attended Monroe ES & Vis Valley MS. Kevin is attentive, caring, helpful and motivated. He has a strong work ethic and strives to do his best. His family is from Honduras he and his mother moved to California when he was 9 years old. Kevin worked with 826 Valencia to elevate his writing in a creative, vulnerable and brave way. He is a strong voice and advocate for his peers. As part of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Kevin strives to make his voice and perspective heard. 

“I used to feel sorry for our situation but now that I'm older I realize I have the opportunity to get out of poverty and have a better life. I am hardworking and constantly trying to be the best version of myself.”    

She was born in SF and attended Redding ES, Gateway MS & Mission HS. Laylani is a conscientious mother, student, and community member. Her writing is thoughtful and makes strong connections between the curriculum and her real-life experiences. Laylani has a strong sense of justice and a commitment to improving our society for the next generation, especially for her son. With the support of her family, she confronts challenges with a smile on her face.

“I’m mixed Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, and Black. I feel really connected to my Puerto Rican side because I love my Nana’s cooking and dancing. During my pregnancy, my OBGYN inspired me to become an Ultrasound Technician. I know there's going to be some ups and downs in college but I know I want my baby, Syn’ciere, to have a good life.”

She was born in Guatemala and although she has been through difficult times, Indrid confronts challenges with strength and resourcefulness. She is always engaged and actively participating in class, genuinely wanting to learn. She is also such an asset to her classmates, as a natural group leader who thrives explaining topics to others. Indrid always finds a solution to any problem she might have.

“En mi vida he pasado por muchos momentos difíciles. Sufrir la pérdida de mi padre y mi madre quedó totalmente sin ayuda. Mis esperanzas son poder seguir estudiando y lograr llegar a ser una gran doctora bilingüe para poder apoyar a mi comunidad Latina. Hilltop me brindó una nueva oportunidad para poder seguir estudiando y ahora siento que puedo continuar con mis estudios y mi trabajo.”

She was born in Mexico and attended SF International HS. Luz is currently enrolled in a weekend program where she is earning her CNA. She is a kind and resilient individual but does not shy away from struggle. Luz always helps those in need and is committed to giving back to her community. She has a deep desire to learn and to be challenged. Luz always lives up to her values.

“I came when I was 15 looking for education and better opportunities. Soon, I’m going to be a mother. I live in the Mission and it makes me feel welcome in this country. My family and my culture shaped who I am today and continue shaping me; I have learned to be patient and persistent. I never give up."

She was born in Guatemala and attended T Marshall HS in 2021. Melany needed to support herself financially and so had to leave her comprehensive high school. Even though she never went to school in her country because she had to work in the fields, her father taught her to read and write. Melany has gotten to where she is today entirely on her own and she supports her family financially. She is an example of resilience, hard work, and intelligence.

“El estudio ha significado para mí una parte muy fundamental en mi vida ya que el futuro es incierto y teniendo un estudio puedes obtener grandes cosas en la vida. Obtener el título de asistente médico, no es solo para mí, si no para mi comunidad. Lo que he hecho para promover la justicia social es proveer información a mis compañeras de escuela de cómo pueden prevenir embarazos a temprana edad.” 

She was born in Guatemala and came in 2021. Queily is a hard worker who goes the extra mile to reach the goals and standards she sets for herself. Her growth in her educational abilities has been outstanding. Queily serves as classroom support for students and teachers with the nonprofit organization Refugee Immigrants in Transition. This has showcased her passion for assisting others.

“I lost my father when I was two years old. The unwavering support of my mother and siblings was instrumental in completing my first year of high school. This fueled my motivation to continue my education. Being able to speak two languages allows me to help and communicate with more people. My goal is to help others and become a good member of society.”

He was born in SF and attended Alvarado ES & Aptos MS. Rogelio is an exceptional, multifaceted individual that impresses those around him. He possesses an undeniable passion for music, which he expresses with dedication and skill. His performances in his band, Los Jefes, leave his audiences captivated and inspired.

“Growing up, I experimented with all types of music, Rap, Rock, Country, Pop. Finally, I listened to music that I could call my own and genuinely loved: Latin Music. I learned to play instruments like claves, congas, bongo, and timbales. I discovered that playing Latin percussion is so much more than music, or artistic expression. It allows me to audibly express my Latinidad. Music gives me the chance to connect with my heritage and express it to the world.”   

She was born in Mexico and arrived in 2021. Shanthal is a remarkable student with exceptional leadership, empathy and advocacy skills. She was accepted into the UCSF Science/Health Education Partnership summer program. Shanthal takes in initiative in contributing to the school community with a commitment to for the rights of queer and trans students. Her efforts were crucial in designating gender-inclusive restrooms.

“En México, mi mamá soltera trabajó muy duro para mantenerme. Me mudé a los EEUU porque aquí estaba mi papá. Quiero ser neuróloga y hacer investigaciones sobre la ADHD en mujeres. Mi aspiración surgió cuando tuve dificultades en clase porque no podía prestar atención y mis calificaciones se vieron afectadas. ADHD ya no me molesta; me motiva a seguir adquiriendo conocimientos.”

She was born in Mexico and attended Denman MS. Sherlyn has outstanding academic prowess, unwavering work ethic, and dedication to personal and academic growth. She participated in many singing competitions and won first prizes. Sherlyn is a force of positive energy. Her impressive work is a testament to her diligence and intellectual curiosity.

“I was born and raised by my grandparents in Mexico. It was the hardest thing for me to do to leave my family and come here. The bad experiences I went through in middle school made me learn that I should not be ashamed of who I am and where I come from and instead I should embrace it and that's exactly what I did. I started singing Mariachi music and I engaging with the community. I realized that music brings people together.”

Out Sprouts-cooking and gardening, Saturday cleaning job, CCSF classes

She was born in El Salvador and immigrated in 2021. Virginia has overcome many challenges to stay focused on her goals. She is a great asset to her fellow students and to her community. Virginia is in an internship with UCSF. Youth shadow and network with mentors in different medical fields such as surgery and research. She was accepted out of many girls and took the opportunity to the fullest. Virginia is an impressive, driven young woman.

“Coming here was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced because I had to move away from my family. I believe in hard work and I know that if we all work together, we can make a big impact in our community. I want to demonstrate all I can offer to my community.”

Born in El Salvador he started at Lick MS. Willie faced challenges in school, his homelife, and with his health, but he remains hardworking, compassionate, and fun loving. He is well-liked and makes friends across differences. Willy built a website with resources for Latinx students. He also has a passion for scientific discovery, physical science, mathematics, philosophy, and linguistics.

“In my new grandmother's home, I learned how to cook arroz con gandules y pupusas. But this was not enough to fill my sadness of missing my family in El Salvador. However, obstacles only strengthen my resolve to achieve my dreams to forge a better future for myself, my family and community. The Latino Student Organization was not only a means to connect with my roots, but also a platform to lead initiatives that promote inclusion and respect for cultural diversity.”

He was born in SF and attended Alvarado ES & Lick MS. Yoltzin has a positive relationship with his peers and family. He is hardworking, reflective, and capable. He pushed himself academically taking four years of science and four APs. His accomplishments are many: collective art projects, assisting older adults with technology, building robots for youth and creating flyers for school projects.

“My parents and I have a strong relationship. When I was little my parents didn't have much money, yet they made me happy. But they couldn't help me with school. My IEP helper had faith in me. She picked me up when I felt hopeless, telling me I could make it. I want to show others that we, as Latinos, can make it to places that we thought we couldn't.” 

Born and raised in SF, she attended Dolores Huerta ES & Everett MS. Stephany has experienced struggles with academics, but her dedication to education has never wavered. She is a joy to have in class because of how she respects her teachers, classmates, and the learning environment. Stephany has the skills to listen to others, show appreciation for diverse perspectives, and treat everyone with empathy.  In spite of many challenges, she’s grown up in an environment where hard work and resilience are valued.

“My parents have always pushed and motivated me to do my best. I consider myself a humble, dedicated, organized, happy, grateful and loving person. I have promoted social justice by helping anyone in need no matter who they are; my school is big on social justice and equality!”