2012 Recipients: Please click on one of the following names to read their inspirational story.

• Ana Aguirre
  • 

    My life has been based on hard work, education, and responsibility. I was born in October, 1992 in a small town in rural Guerreo, Mexico. My family is made up of my mother, father, and six children of whom I am the only girl. In Mexico, I lived in a little rancho in small one-room house. There wasn’t electricity or running water. My school was a one-room shack with a palm tree roof. I was poor, but I was enriched by strong Latino family values.

    At the age of nine my family and I immigrated to the United States. When I arrived here, I attended Jackson Elementary. It was very difficult at first since I had to adapt to a very different culture and learn a new language. I worked hard, studied, and put forth my best effort and soon enough I was speaking English.

    During my senior year at Crater High School, I made the decision to attend college. I began to realize all the sacrifices my parents had made in order to give me and my brothers the opportunities that they never had. It is because of them and their support that I continue to chase after my dreams and goals that without them would not be worth pursuing. I currently attend Rogue Community College where I hope to get my degree as a bilingual nurse. My past experiences and culture have taught me to work hard

• Arturo Gomez
  • 

    I am a first-generation student, of Hispanic heritage, and I am a believer of the dreams within my heart. Integrity, dedication, perseverance, leadership, hard work and the pursuit of becoming an inspiration are some of the key life concepts I was taught as a kid. I was taught to always do the right thing and no matter what I encounter; I was to put all my effort into making the best of it as if it was the last thing I was ever going to do. I was taught that life was the hardest thing I was ever going to go through, that I was going to make mistakes, but also learn from my mistakes, and that no man in the world was born perfect... but it was up to me to pursue perfection; to become powerful beyond measure, it was up to me to make my dreams become reality, to remember that no matter what my mess in life was, I couldn’t let it get between me and my success.

    I thank the Lord for the guidance that I have been blessed with. I look to be successful and make my mom and dad proud of me like I am of them. My family, friends and my community have become an inspiration to reach for higher education and with the experiences that I have lived to this point in my life I have no doubt in my mind that I will reach my goals and make my dreams come true.

• Tia Kroeger
  • 

    I am a recent graduate of Eagle Point High School. Southern Oregon and School District 9 have been my home for the majority of my life. After living half way across the country from my immediate family during my junior year, I now spend as much time with them as I can; especially my younger brothers. My mother has been a single parent, which meant I had to be an adult as well. I have high expectations for my future because of them. Also with my spare time, I enjoy photography and attending youth group. Being a first generation college student, I want to set a standard for my siblings. In high school I participated in various time consuming and stressful activities, such as: yearbook editor, youth group leader, 30 Hour Famine director, head stat girl for wrestling, jazz choir soprano, and blood drive volunteer. Needless to say my high school career was busy. But because of it, I was taught discipline and how to use my time wisely. My yearbook class guided my decision to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in graphic design. I will be attending George Fox University, a private Christian college. My desire to go there is not only fueled by their prestigious academic programs, but also my faith. After I graduate college, I plan on returning to the valley to give back everything I have learned and achieved. I want to set an example for my family and peers, while still making them proud.

• Karina Martinez
  • 

    Being the first high school graduate in my immediate family means a lot to me. Both of my parents moved from Mexico to the United States at fairly young ages, but they were never able to graduate high school, let alone attend college. My parents have raised me to be a hardworking, independent person; I work as hard as I do to in order to accomplish my objectives. For example, because I set a goal from the very beginning, I will be graduating as one of South Medford High School’s Valedictorians this year.

    My family has also taught me the importance of being involved in outside activities. I have volunteered at the same daycare center for four years now, and have taken part in activities such as United Way Day of Caring and Relay for Life. I was also a board member for my school’s Interact Club, and a member of Key Club and Torch Honor Society. I think both my involvement and my strong work ethic will help me in the future. It is an honor to represent today’s Latino community, because as time progresses we are only getting stronger. In the fall I will be attending Oregon State University and majoring in psychology. I plan on working with children and adolescents in the future. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a loving Hispanic family, but I would like to make a difference in the lives of others who were not quite as fortunate as I was.

• Judith Rivera
  • 

    I was born in Nayarit, Mexico. My family consists of my mother, father and my 12 year-old brother. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of new job opportunities so they could provide my brother and me with a better future. By observing my parents work hard, I know that getting an education is the best decision I have ever made.

    I am writing this letter to thank you for your generous award. I am very grateful for being a recipient of your scholarship and with your economic support, I will be continuing with my goal of obtaining my degree in Elementary Education.

    This past spring term I met with my counselor and adjusted my schedule in order to graduate in the summer term of 2013. In order to accomplish my goal this summer term, I decided to be a full time student at Rogue Community College as well as for the next four terms. After graduating from RCC, I will be transferring to Southern Oregon University where I will be working to obtain my bachelor’s degree and my license in teaching. I know that if I work hard in school I will be able to achieve my goal of becoming a teacher in our community. With a higher education and your economic support I will be capable of achieving my career goal in the near future. Thank you for your financial support.

• Pedro Rivera
  • 

    Architecture has defined people, cities, countries, and even civilizations. From the Colosseum in Rome, to the Mayan pyramids in Mexico, and the El Palau de les Arts in Valencia, Spain, buildings have restructured our planet in astounding ways. By obtaining my Ph.D. in architecture I will be able to serve as a role model for younger Latino generations, proving to them that we are all capable of reaching our dreams and goals, regardless of financial obstacles. In my family, both of my parents work a full time job and a part time job to make ends meet. They have always given their time and money to ensure that my sisters and I get the best education we can. However, paying for my college education seems almost impossible. Plus giving them the burden of an additional job isn’t fair. This is why I want to be an architect, to give back and honor my family and community that have influenced my vision for the future. I want to be an architect because I believe I can help both our planet by using new, less harmful materials in my projects, and my Latino community, by designing innovative schools and classrooms that make both teaching and learning easier and exciting. I believe that with low-income homes and apartments, I can also help those less-fortunate without a place to call home; and inspire hope to those younger generations growing up because Latinos are capable of reaching their visions, and nothing can stop us.

• Ramiro Sanchez
  • 

    I am the third youngest children of Jose Juan Sanchez and Herminia Santana. My name is Ramiro Sanchez; I was born in Guerrero, Mexico. I lost my father when I was 3 years old and my mother got very ill after my father’s death. At a young age I learned the meaning of perseverance, dedication and sacrifice. When I was 11 years old, while I was still attending elementary school, I had to start working to help my mom to support our family. Two years later my mom decided to immigrate to this country. She came here with my younger sister. Three years later I graduated from middle school and started high school in Mexico. After completing my first year of high school I immigrated to this country to join my mother, one of my older brothers and sister. When I arrived in Medford I continued my high school studies at South Medford High School and three years later I graduated.

    Currently I am planning to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education with hopes of becoming an ESL teacher. The reason why I chose to become an ESL teacher is because I want to help other students whose first language is not English, because I was once in their shoes I know how frustrating and difficult can be to learn another language. As a teacher I feel I will have the power to help students stay in school and fulfill their potential.

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © www.solsf.org, 2011