For many students, their academic success would not have been possible without the guidance from a mentor. This section explores how impactful it is to have someone lead the way for college success.
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to do it. It was my chemistry teacher. I created a painting that represents my 10th grade chemistry class. My chemistry teacher was the first teacher to acknowledge me and to empower me to pursue college. She was also my first teacher of color in a predominantly white town. I painted 2 beakers and 1 flask. The beaker contents: her words and my ambition. They came to create inspiration to pursue a college education. It was after that day that I enrolled myself into a college program (AVID) to help me with applying to college and financial aid. In college, sometimes I doubted myself, and her words really kept me going because she believed I could succeed at Cal Poly (She is a Cal Poly Alumni). As a first generation student, your family encourages you to do better, but they never really know how to support you. It goes to show how much representation matters in K-12 schools to empower others—especially first generation students and students of color. I wanted to celebrate a moment that might have seemed insignificant, but it really steered me to where I am right now. The power of words is real. I will forever be grateful to Ms. Nation!"
Photo source: https://unsplash.com/photos/PY7Y1T4SrZA