“South County Cal-SOAP was my home, a place to go when I was sad, happy, or needed any support. Cal-SOAP was my go-to place in high school... Being a part of Cal-SOAP opened up my eyes to what I can actually do beyond high school, that there was more to life and a purpose for everyone, no matter who you are. I grew up in Cal-SOAP and will forever cherish this place and the people I met along the way. I am almost done with my degree and it will all be worth it."

— Bianca Andrade

 

“I graduated from San Benito High School in Hollister, California, and am now attending McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. I chose McKendree University because I received a wrestling scholarship. I knew I wanted to continue wrestling in college, so I started researching all the colleges that provided women’s wrestling. South County Cal-SOAP helped me with applying to the schools, told me I needed to take the SAT/ACT tests, and helped with getting all of my other paperwork together. Since I am the oldest in my family, I did not have an older brother or sister guiding me through the process, so I did lean on my Cal-SOAP Advisors and high school advisers during this time.”

— Sally Chavez

“Being a first-generation student, going to college is hard. Since my elders have never had the college experience they just assume and make it seem as if it’s easy, but it’s not; it’s like walking onto a plank blindfolded, without having your family there to lead you. You have no other choice but to ask for help from those around you. College programs like Cal-SOAP helped me to get where I am today. Without them, I would have no idea where I would be.”

— Maria Marquez