STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

“Growing up in Highland Park, Los Angeles was a big challenge.  An area where teenage pregnancies are high, gangs infest the streets, and hardly anyone graduates from high school.  And the thought of attending college is not on many minds.  I graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and I am now a sophomore at a four-year college.  I knew I had to attend college and do something more with myself.  I needed more options and college provides a lot more opportunities.  And when I receive my bachelor’s degree I will be able to earn more money and attain a career I enjoy.  So take as many Honors and AP Courses offered, study hard, get involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, or volunteer in your community.  Apply to colleges and select one that offers you the most opportunities.  Yes, college is possible and the benefits of having a college degree are invaluable.”

Jennifer Bustos

Sophomore, Occidental College 

Los Angeles, California

“I graduated from John Marshall High School in Los Angeles and I now attend Occidental College.  I have completed my first year of college, and am looking forward to the start of my sophomore year.  Going to college is not a common decision or option for those who come from where I do.  The goal for many kids at my high school was to simply graduate from high school; and, even that was a struggle for many.  But I always saw college in my future and I worked as hard as I possibly could to get where I am today.  Getting involved in high school with sports and clubs helped keep me balanced and on track with my schoolwork.  Basketball is what kept me sane and going, as my education remained my top priority.  I encourage all high school kids to get involved with activities they enjoy to have fun while striving to earn the best possible grades and to get into the colleges of their choice.  College is not out of anyone's reach.  Dream big, give it your all, and in a few years you'll find yourself exactly where you wanted to be.”

Anahit Aladzhanyan

Sophomore, Occidental College

Los Angeles, California

“I had a lot of pressure on me to graduate from high school, but I did receive my diploma from John Marshall High School.  One of my three brothers has a high school diploma and he barely graduated.  No one in my family attended college.  I see my brothers struggling to work manual labor jobs and I know I have to do something more than that.  I knew going to college would be the best decision for me, and my family.  I am currently in my second year of college at Pasadena City College but I plan on transferring to a four-year college.  Money was a big factor, which is why I attend a community college.  But nothing is going to stop my dream of graduating from college and obtaining a good paying career that I enjoy.  In the end my hard work will pay off.”

Michael Martinez

Sophomore, Pasadena City College

Los Angeles, California

“Graduating from high school in Los Angeles (one of the poorest parts of L.A.), a Title I school at that, and going to college was not the easiest to accomplish.  The competition is meant to scare inner city students and crush hope or dreams of being anything more or going onto higher education.  There are five children in my family and I am the first to graduate high school and first to go to college, not because I am the oldest, but because I knew that I needed to believe in myself.  All throughout high school I was in sports and involved in organizations/clubs as well as theater productions.  I worked, went to school and managed to get the best grades I could.  I graduated with a B+ average and I am currently majoring in General Biology & Psychology and minoring in Teacher Education at UC San Diego.  And I plan to be a pediatrician and then a teacher.  As often as you hear, ‘if you believe you can certainly achieve,’ just ask yourself how much you really want it and go out there and do it.”

Diane Gaskin  

Sophomore, UC San Diego

La Jolla, California