Hello, my name is Iris Duenas. I am 18 years old and I am a senior at Castlemont High School in Oakland. I am a Pround Latina that has been fighting to became a succesful person in America. 

I immigrated here in 2012 with my mother and my two sisters. I was born and raised in Mexico. My family left Mexico because of drug traffickers. They were threatening my family because we owned property that they wanted to take from us at any cost. We had to escape to the U.S. It was hard for me because I left everything I cared for, including my grandparents and my family.

At the beginning I thought that it was unfair that someone would come to our lives and destroy everything. I was doing good at school, and it was my last year in order to graduate. I was in basketball, I was in a dance academy, and I felt free because I was doing the things that I liked. And then all of that was taken away when we had to come to the U.S. 

When I came to the United States three years ago, I didn’t know one word of English. When the teachers or students talked to me, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t understand, and sometimes felt deeply inferior to everyone. But with the passing of these years, I have learned how to adapt and even thrive. Not only am I able to understand and engage in conversations; the most important thing to me is that I’m able to translate for my parents and grandparents. 



My experience living in two very different countries have shaped my dreams and aspirations in many ways and one of them is the importance of education.  As a fisrt generation college student I didn't realize how expensive it is to go to College and earn an education.



Now, I am struggling  to find the funds needed to pay for the education that I am seeking.

I am thinking to attend Chico State University because of the programs the school have for people like me, I think I am making a good decision at attending this school, but there is just one problem I don’t have enough of money to cover all my tuition.  




My dream is to became a pediatrician and I know it is a long path and It requieres a lot of resources. Unfortunately my parents and I don't have that funds to pay for my education so I really need you guys help to raise money for my education and I will be so thankful for your help. This means so much to me  be able to have a  education and be the role model to my sisters and most importan to make my parents pround and make them see that all of our sacrifices in life now have a  prize. 

100% of the funds raised on this campaign will be used to cover my tuition.

 Thank you so much for your help.
 Please Share my story and help me make my goal a reality .