Support Desi's Watsonville Ivy League Project trip!

Hi everyone, I’m Desi Salinas-Holz, a Junior at Watsonville High School, and I have been lucky enough to be accepted into the Watsonville Ivy League Project (WILP)! The Watsonville Ivy League Project is a week-long trip in September where students from both Watsonville and Pajaro Valley High get to tour 9 prestigious universities on the east coast, including 7 Ivy League schools. During our trip, we will not only get to tour the campuses of these top-notch schools, but we will also learn about the application process of each one and get a taste of the school culture in order to better understand which school is the right fit for us. This truly is a once in a lifetime experience! However, the trip comes with a price of $3,700 per student.

Which is why I need YOUR help in order to fundraise!

ABOUT WILP APPLICATION PROCESS

I am one of 15 students from Pajaro Valley High and Watsonville High who were selected for this year's 2025 program. On top of the existing pre-requisites for this program of having a 3.75 GPA or higher and being enrolled in Honors/AP classes, the application for WILP was a rigorous process, in many ways it was similar to applying to college. I filled out a pages-long application, wrote a personal essay, solicited a teacher recommendation, and interviewed with a selection committee. This nerve-wracking experience really helped me learn about what to expect when the time comes to apply for college, and I feel more prepared as a result.

ABOUT WILP’S SUCCESS

WILP is a program that has proved that it benefits the students admitted, as the skills and experiences they gain from this program have developed WILP’s high success rate. About 21% of WILP students were admitted into an Ivy League in 2022, and if we consider other prestigious universities such as Stanford and Santa Clara University, that rate bumps up to 50%. WILP works and has a successful track record.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I am 17 years old and currently in my junior year at Watsonville High School. I love running, math, and spending time with family and friends. Some of my hobbies include playing card games, playing tennis, and making origami/paper flowers. Academically I am at the top of my class, with an unweighted GPA of 3.8 and a weighted GPA of 4.1, which I obtained through taking multiple Honors and AP (Advanced Placement) classes. Outside of class, I am actively involved in my school community and I view myself as one of the school's leaders. I am the Athletic Commissioner for Watsonville High’s ASB (Associated Student Body), as well as a member of Drama club, SAVE club, AAPI club, ECHO club, Co-president of GSA club, and a member of the Mock Trial team, where I competed this year as a defense attorney to help my team win two cases. I am a 3 year varsity athlete for both Cross Country and Track & Field, where I have gathered a collection of both medals and varsity patches/letters for my excellence in running, as well as the “Wildcatz Award” which I was awarded my sophomore year for being a leader on the Cross Country team. My leadership extends outside of my school, and I am a founding member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Superintendent Advisory Council. I have participated in the Santa Cruz County Office of Education Student Trustee Academy and the Santa Cruz County Young Supervisor’s Academy where I have learned skills to develop my leadership. Last summer I participated in UC Berkeley’s Summer Springboard program and Stanford University’s Immersion in Community Medicine program. I also have a passion for the arts, specifically music and theater. I have been playing the trumpet since I was 8 years old and have been a part of the Watsonville Community Youth Band and Watsonville High Marching Band. I have performed in plays and musicals since 2nd grade and recently took on lead roles in Watsonville High School’s productions of “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Alice By Heart.” I am also a black belt in taekwondo which I have trained in since Kindergarten. After high school I plan on attending a 4 year university and medical school in order to pursue my dream of being a doctor. My drive for both leadership and community activism has truly shaped the person I am today.

COST BREAKDOWN FOR FALL 2025 TRIP

Airfare - $600

Ground Transportation - $1,400

Lodging for 7 days - $1,300

Food for 7 days - $400

Total cost: $3,700

I am beyond grateful to have this opportunity to visit these prestigious colleges and I would greatly appreciate your contribution, every donation really does go a long way. If you are unable to donate I understand but please spread the word and encourage others to donate.

Thank you!

-Desi Salinas-Holz