Take Rosa to Brown University!
Donation protected
I am what many people in the United States know as a Dreamer. I consider myself not only a Dreamer because of my dreams of going to a four year college and helping my parents in the future, but also because I represent young undocumented students in California. I am an immigrant fighting for equality in a divided educational system. I have been in the United States since I was five years old, Hayward is the place I have grown to know as home.Hayward is located in the Bay Area near San Francisco.
Unlike San Francisco Hayward is known as a violent city. Growing up in “the Tortilla flat” or in an area considered one of the most impoverished and dangerous, my family always felt unsafe and divided from the rich part of Hayward.
Ever since I arrived to school, it has been a struggle to identify who I am and where do I fit.I grew up in a household where my first language was Spanish, English was always secondary. When I first arrived to six grade I became more aware of the differences between my peers and I. I had more difficulty to learn how to write and read in English but it was not the only barrier. Since I was in first grade, I would have to wake up earlier every morning to get English tutoring with my teacher, and I would have translations in Spanish whenever I could not understand the English assignments.At the time I felt embarrased and uncomfortable because my peers would make fun of me, but now I understand that this helped me to improve my English and to perform better in my classes. Till this day I have difficulties understanding some readings but I can not deny how much I have learned about myself and my surroundings because of it.
I was lucky to have great teachers throughout my elementary school, however my experience made a drastic change for me in Tennyson High School because teachers’ support and attention to students like myself was not as present as before. I come from a school where we as students do not receive as many resources like student programs, or any knowledge of opportunities offered outside our community as other schools in the East Bay. Luckily I encounter the Puente program which is well known around California. The Puente program focuses on improving students’ reading and writing skills. One of its main goals is to get Latino students into a four year college. Puente has been my guide and salvation during high school because I got once again a support system that I needed in order to succeed.
I have always envisioned myself in a competitive university such as the University of California Davis.Even though I do not receive guidance or support from my school community, Puente and my family have been my guides and supporters. As a student I wish Hayward would have resources like information for summer programs which could help students to grow as leaders. My Puente teacher mentioned the Brown Institute Program to me, and my curiosity to learn more about it sparked. I did my own research and I envisioned myself taking part on it. Even though I will be traveling 3,095 miles away from my family and stepping out of my comfort zone, I know that in order to become a successful Latina in the medical field I need to take this big step. I know the difficulty of Latinos to be represented in such a competitive field, but I hope to one day create diversity within the field. The leadership program in Brown University will help me get a step closer to my dreams. This is an opportunity to gain communication skills, because I will be surrounded by people with different experiences, which unlike mine they have grown in safe communities and resourceful schools. I see this as an opportunity to represent undocumented Latinos, my community, in such prestigious university.
If I get this opportunity I will bring my knowledge and experiences to my community to incorporate them at Tennyson High, and balance the opportunities to help my peers to get to college instead of seeing them dropping-out at a young age without reaching their dreams. I want to transform the “Tortilla Flat”. In order for me to accomplish this I need to take a risk and departure to Brown Leadership Institute in Rhode Island this summer.
My parents are hard working, factory workers and earn just enough to cover our home expenses. This is why we can’t afford to pay the summer program tuition of $3,687. Thank you for taking time to acknowldge my story. I will really appreciate any donations. Once again thank you!
Unlike San Francisco Hayward is known as a violent city. Growing up in “the Tortilla flat” or in an area considered one of the most impoverished and dangerous, my family always felt unsafe and divided from the rich part of Hayward.
Ever since I arrived to school, it has been a struggle to identify who I am and where do I fit.I grew up in a household where my first language was Spanish, English was always secondary. When I first arrived to six grade I became more aware of the differences between my peers and I. I had more difficulty to learn how to write and read in English but it was not the only barrier. Since I was in first grade, I would have to wake up earlier every morning to get English tutoring with my teacher, and I would have translations in Spanish whenever I could not understand the English assignments.At the time I felt embarrased and uncomfortable because my peers would make fun of me, but now I understand that this helped me to improve my English and to perform better in my classes. Till this day I have difficulties understanding some readings but I can not deny how much I have learned about myself and my surroundings because of it.
I was lucky to have great teachers throughout my elementary school, however my experience made a drastic change for me in Tennyson High School because teachers’ support and attention to students like myself was not as present as before. I come from a school where we as students do not receive as many resources like student programs, or any knowledge of opportunities offered outside our community as other schools in the East Bay. Luckily I encounter the Puente program which is well known around California. The Puente program focuses on improving students’ reading and writing skills. One of its main goals is to get Latino students into a four year college. Puente has been my guide and salvation during high school because I got once again a support system that I needed in order to succeed.
I have always envisioned myself in a competitive university such as the University of California Davis.Even though I do not receive guidance or support from my school community, Puente and my family have been my guides and supporters. As a student I wish Hayward would have resources like information for summer programs which could help students to grow as leaders. My Puente teacher mentioned the Brown Institute Program to me, and my curiosity to learn more about it sparked. I did my own research and I envisioned myself taking part on it. Even though I will be traveling 3,095 miles away from my family and stepping out of my comfort zone, I know that in order to become a successful Latina in the medical field I need to take this big step. I know the difficulty of Latinos to be represented in such a competitive field, but I hope to one day create diversity within the field. The leadership program in Brown University will help me get a step closer to my dreams. This is an opportunity to gain communication skills, because I will be surrounded by people with different experiences, which unlike mine they have grown in safe communities and resourceful schools. I see this as an opportunity to represent undocumented Latinos, my community, in such prestigious university.
If I get this opportunity I will bring my knowledge and experiences to my community to incorporate them at Tennyson High, and balance the opportunities to help my peers to get to college instead of seeing them dropping-out at a young age without reaching their dreams. I want to transform the “Tortilla Flat”. In order for me to accomplish this I need to take a risk and departure to Brown Leadership Institute in Rhode Island this summer.
My parents are hard working, factory workers and earn just enough to cover our home expenses. This is why we can’t afford to pay the summer program tuition of $3,687. Thank you for taking time to acknowldge my story. I will really appreciate any donations. Once again thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Rosa Enriquez
Organizer
Hayward, CA
Yvonne Valdez
Beneficiary