KAREN CAMACHO  Karen is one of eight children in her farmworker family.  Her parents’ low wages make it impossible for them to pay for college.  She hopes scholarships and a part time job will pay her tuition at California State University, Fresno, where she plans to major in criminology. Karen wants to help the youth in her community and states, “There are young kids who get influenced or pressured into making bad decisions. I want to show them that no matter where they come from they can become something they are proud of.”

KARINA CORTES HERREJON  Karina comes from a family of four brothers and two sisters, all farmworkers. Her family migrates within CA as well as out of state to follow the agricultural season. She herself started working in the fields at age thirteen.  Hardship is no stranger to Karina after losing her father to cancer last year.  Her career plans came about after caring for him.  Karina states, “I realized that I was brought to this world to help others.  I want to make a difference in this world by obtaining a degree in nursing.”  Karina will attend Reedley Community College so she can be close to home to help her family.

ARTURO GOMEZ  Arturo is a conscientious and responsible young man that wants to make a difference in his community by leading other students away from gangs, drugs, and dropping out of school through the Abuelito Project and Generation Green Club, where he is president. He will attend Reedley Community College and then transfer to a university. Arturo’s dream is to earn a BA in agriculture business and work in a different capacity in the fields, where his parents have labored for years as farmworkers.

MONICA GORDILLO  Monica is one of seven siblings in her family. Like herself, all her siblings excel in academics. She is grateful for all her blessings and has thought a lot about her future. Her immediate goal is to get a nursing degree at California State University, Fresno. As soon as she becomes a nurse, Monica wants to provide for her farmworker parents who work very hard to provide the basics for the family. Monica states,” I plan on giving back to my parents everything they provided me with so they can use it to spend on themselves.  I also plan on giving to charities so in that way I will help others.” 

MIRIAM GUTIERREZ  Miriam is the youngest of five children and her dream is to become a medical doctor after she graduates from University of California, Irvine. She hopes to work at Valley Children’s Hospital and impact the lives of many children. Her parents, who work in the fields and packing houses, motivate Miriam to excel in school because she has seen how hard her father works to support the family. No doubt Miriam will be a great asset to her community.

MARIA del ROSARIO LOZANO  Maria started picking grapes when she was thirteen years old to help out her parents. She describes herself with these words, “The idea that I can’t let a (low) grade or a mistake in my life define my success is something I live by. I have fallen many times, but like my father always tells me, it’s not about how you fall, it’s about how you get up.” Maria is very determined to succeed. She will attend Health College in pursuit of her dream to become a nurse.

ALONDRA PANIAGUE  Alondra appreciates her parents because they work very hard to support the family.  She states, “I see how tired my parents get home from working in the fields so I try harder at school because they influence me to keep going and eventually one day I will have a career.” Alondra has been working since she was twelve years old to help out the family. She is the first in her family to graduate from high school and go to college.  In the fall Alondra will attend Reedley Community College where she will major in communications; she plans to transfer to California State University, Long Beach. 

SIMON RUBIO  Simon is a thoughtful young man that has a very positive outlook on life. He states, “Happiness is not measured by the quality of life we live or if we are blessed with wealth and power.  Happiness is measured by the strength of our heart to look past our troubles and smile.” His optimism is evident in his studies and extracurricular activities where he works hard and helps others succeed. Simon will be attending California State University, Fresno and then transfer to UCLA. His goal is to become a lawyer in order to help the needy in his community.

LUIS SANDOVAL  Luis has learned the value of a college education after working with his father in the fields. He does not want to be a farmworker, stating, “I was raised watching how unfair and miserable it is to work in the fields.” Luis seeks to help others and model the importance of giving back to the community. He will attend California State University, Fresno and pursue a career as a computer engineer.

NATYELI YEPES  Natyeli has excelled in a rigorous college prep program and is one of the valedictorians of her high school.  This accomplished young lady has been described as a gentle, caring and quiet leader by her teachers.  Natyeli is firmly focused on her future goals that include attending the University of California, Davis where she will study either psychology or biological sciences.  Her career goals are in the medical field, possibly neurosurgery. UPDATE: In 2019, Natyeli graduated from UC, Irvine with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

KRYSTAL ZAMORA  Krystal is proud to say that her father was her inspiration. She states, “My father has always worked so hard in the fields so that I could get the education that he never had. I am making him proud by going to college.” Sadly, both her father and brother passed away last year. Krystal has experienced great tragedies in her life but remains focused on her education and her career goals. From the time she was very young she took care of her brother who was in a wheel chair all his life. Because of her experience as a “home nurse”, Krystal has always dreamed of becoming a registered nurse to help others.  She will be attending California State University, Stanislaus in the fall.