Sara Flores Campuzano
University of Washington

Sara Flores Campuzano will enroll as a freshman at the University of Washington in the fall of 2009, where she plans to study marketing and public relations or pursue her interest in the medical field.

As the first in her family to attend college, Campuzano long assumed college wasn’t for her. “Me, go to college? Of course not,” Campuzano remembers thinking. However, not only is Campuzano on her way to college this fall, but she is determined to make sure that others in her community have access to the resources necessary to make college a reality. As a founding member of the Latino/a Stand UP club at her high school, Campuzano works to educate younger students about their post-secondary academic options. She says, “I believe that if more Latino students go to college…we will have the chance to play a bigger role in America’s future.”

Jaime Espinoza
University of Washington

Jaime Espinoza plans to study engineering in college in order to become a computer engineer. He has always been fascinated by technology and it has served as a conduit for his extensive school and community-based volunteerism. Espinoza organizes groups of students to repair computers and provide them for free to disadvantaged families in the community, as well as offering computer orientation classes to any who could benefit from them. He has also been involved in promoting higher education opportunities for minority high school students, providing information about the complexities of the college application process.

With both parents employed in the agricultural sector, Espinoza learned long ago the value of hard work and the important role education can play in opening doors. As he says, “I hope that as a student in college I will be able to achieve my educational goals and set a good example for my younger siblings, as well as repay my parents for all the sacrifices they made so that I could have opportunities they never did.”

Rosalinda Godinez
Washington State University

Rosalinda Godinez, of Grandview, Washington, will be attending Washington State University in fall 2009. Godinez, who was ranked at the top of her high school class, is interested in a career in the fashion industry or in special event management.

As an active member of her community, Godinez has volunteered at a local retirement center as well as maintaining her own employment to help with the family’s finances. A devastating gang-related family tragedy brought Godinez even closer with her parents and siblings and even more determined to obtain a college degree. “I know I have to work hard to accomplish my goals and that success is not going to be given to me,” she says. “But because of what I have been through, I know I have the strength to make my dreams happen.”

Victoria Ledesma
Gonzaga University

Victoria Ledesma, of Richland, Washington, hopes to achieve a career that involves helping others, such as psychology, psychiatry or nursing. “I know that I will not be content with a job unless I know I am, in some way, bettering the lives of those around me through service,” Ledesma says.

As a very well-rounded student, Ledesma has maintained high grades and has been involved with school extracurricular activities and volunteering. Her volunteer commitments have related to her career aspirations, including the Tri-Cities Senior Citizen Picnic and the Chaplaincy at Hospice. Whether with sports, drama or campus ministry, Ledesma brings a positive and joyful presence and has learned to judge herself according to her own talents and abilities rather than in comparison to others.

Janette Mariscal
Washington State University

Janette Mariscal grew up in Brewster, Washington, and is now attending Washington State University. Neither of her parents had the opportunity to enter into secondary education, and have been farm workers as long as Mariscal can remember. Having worked summer farm jobs herself, Mariscal began to value education more and, as she says, “These jobs helped me realize I wanted to obtain a better job through education.”

Over the past four years, Mariscal has been involved in the Latino/a Education Achievement Project (LEAP) conference in Olympia as a student representative. She has educated students and legislators about the importance of the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM ACT). “I’ve invested so much time in LEAP,” she says, “because I feel the need to reach out to students who have a desire to succeed, but can’t because of their illegal status.”

Lena Negrete
Whitworth University

Lena Negrete of Brewster, Washington, will pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work at Whitworth University beginning fall 2009. Negrete believes her own experience in the foster care system will allow her to make a significant impact on the lives of disadvantaged children. While in the third grade, Negrete and her twin brother were placed with a foster family after having lived in a home full of “chaos, confusion and instability,” she says.

Negrete knew that in order to achieve her goals she would have to work hard and seek out necessary support systems. Negrete maintained a high grades throughout high school and served as the school president her senior year. She was active in a variety of school programs and volunteer opportunities, including teaching Sunday school at her church. Negrete says she is most looking forward to eventually providing foster care children with the life-changing support she was given by a handful of caring adults.

Carlos Olivares
Washington State University

Carlos Olivares arrived in the Northwest only three years ago, speaking very little English and without the hopes of attending college. Now, with the support of his grandparents and his ROTC program Senior Army Instructor Lt. Colonel Willmuth, Olivares is the top of his high school class and plans to use his post-secondary education to become either a biochemical engineer or doctor before joining the Armed Forces and becoming an officer.

Olivares has logged more than 600 hours of community service over the last three years as a member of the ROTC program at Lincoln High School. “I want to be remembered as the individual who gave his all at all times, no matter the situation,” Olivares says. “I will overcome the obstacles that life has thrown at me.”

Hector Reyes
University of Washington

Hector Reyes of Yakima, Washington, plans to study mechanical engineering while at the University of Washington and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Reyes says his high school International Baccalaureate math and physics classes have prepared him for this challenging collegiate track. In order to accomplish his goals, Reyes has developed a supportive network of professional mentors and academic peers, and often turns to his father for support and advice.

Reyes was quite busy in high school; he was responsible for contributing financially to the household throughout high school and, as he had more familiarity with the English language than his parents, was responsible for helping his younger siblings with their schoolwork. Additionally, Reyes sang in his church choir, was a member of the National Honor Society and volunteered at school as a tutor and in his community with La Casa Hogar.

Alexander Ruiz
University of Washington

Alexander Ruiz plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Washington, before attending medical school to become a surgeon. Ruiz has prepared for this future career by participating in medical programs such as the University of Washington’s Summer Medical/Dental Educational Program. He has also been accepted into the university’s Surgical Research Program.

Hailing from a rural community, Ruiz says he didn’t know anyone who had achieved more than a high school diploma. Therefore, it was easy for him to believe college was out of his reach. “My aspirations for aiming for education after high school were very low. I had no motivation and no financial support,” Ruiz says. His participation in the university’s summer program changed his outlook entirely. Now motivated and determined, Ruiz is prepared to invest the equity needed to become a surgeon. “There’s nothing more I desire than to be a physician. It’s what I’m meant to be.”

Jeannette Sepulveda
University of Washington

Jeannette Sepulveda, of Edmonds, Washington, plans to major in English at the University of Washington, where she will enroll in the fall of 2009. Her long-term goal is to become a high school English teacher or an educational policy analyst. Sepulveda knows, regardless of the career she lands in, that she wants to motivate students to seek post-secondary education and to make a difference in the lives of students of color.

Sepulveda has honed her leadership skills by participating in a variety of school groups, including starting a Latino/a club to give the underrepresented group a voice in school activities and policies, through her role as a member on the school’s steering committee, and by serving as a student advisor on the Edmonds School District School Board.