My dad passed away from lung cancer a few months after this photo was taken.  It was the last family portrait we took.  On my cap I wrote "It is Finished" as a commemoration to my dad's 27 years of service as an RN at the County Hospital.  As a first generation college grad, I dreamed of this moment since grade school. My dad's greatest wish was to see me get my degree. I never knew it would be the last thing on his bucket list.

My name is Abegail Cariaso.  I graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Graphic Design and a minor in Advertising. I currently work as a teacher at the YMCA at Mt. View Elementary, a substitute for MDUSD, and as a freelance designer/youth mentor at Calvary Temple

Objective To travel to Washington, Texas, Massachusets and New York from February-May in order to study the art, history and culture of each state, enhancing my personal experience before entering credential school in June 2017.



Towards the end of October 2016, I took a temporary sub position for the open Art class at Concord High School, where I was responsible for Art I, Art II/ROP, and AP Art.  I was teaching during the time President Trump got elected.  In the midst of high tension, student protest, frustration and helplessness, I felt the strong sense of civil duty to challenge and encourage my students to "give a damn about their education" and "liberate their minds through art" (you can probably imagine why I chose that wording).  Although I only spent 2.5 months with these kids, I quickly realized that they deserve a teacher who is experienced socially, culturally, and academically. I am taking this personal "study abroad" to emerse myself in American culture/history to gain a stronger sense of identity as a 23 year old Filipina-American Christ follower.

The funds will be used for:

- Travel Expenses (air fare, train tickets)
- Food & Lodging
- Entrance fees to museums/tourist attractions
- A Canon G12 camera for documentation
- A New MacBook Pro for creating personal marketing material
- Print materials (business cards and postcards for YOU :D)
- Website domain name
- Extra Funds will go towards credential/grad school

I plan on documenting my journey through my personal website and social media, as well as involving my sponsors in the creative process. (stay tuned!)

>>[email redacted]inished on Instagram!<<


I strongly believe this trip will help create challenging curriculum for my future students. Help me raise $7,000 by my birthday, January 31st!  

This fundraiser is dedicated to my kiddos at the Y, my past students at Concord High School, and to my late father who told me to invest in my education because it is an investment that no one could take away.

A big thank you in advance to all my friends and family.



To God be the Glory.