My name is Eunice. I have been a part of BLCI since third grade. I am 21 years old, and I attended California State University Channel Islands. I graduated this past spring with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with honors. BLCI made it possible for my brothers and I as first-generation students to even dare to dream about higher education. BLCI provided my family with unlimited resources like access to scholarships, workshops, college bound trips, and my family’s first computer. Because of BLCI, my older brother Omar was the first sibling to graduate from university in 2021, they helped me as well, and I have no doubt they will provide the same level of support for my younger brother Moises. My family will be forever grateful to BLCI.
My family has been with me through every step of the way. During my years of college, my parents were my biggest cheerleaders. I can’t count the amount of times that I cried to my parents on FaceTime because either I didn’t think I could make it, or simply I just missed home. My brothers were always there for me to make me laugh during the hard times. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.
Reflecting on my path to college, I recalled a valuable lesson I learned. In my junior year of college, I had to take a chemistry class that absolutely broke me. The first week of taking this class, I had to go to my professor’s office hours because I was already not understanding the material. During office hours, I kept asking my professor questions, and finally he told me, “Eunice, the first exam is coming up and I don’t think that you have what it takes.” Those words crushed me.
It made me feel like the professor was predicting that I was going to fail his class. However, after leaning on my different support systems, I decided that I wasn’t going to accept those words from the Professor and to respectfully prove him wrong.
I changed my approach to how to study. I stopped relying too much on my tutors and believing that I could solve problems on my own, asking more questions during class, and starting a study group with some of my friends. I ended up being one of the top students in that class and even getting chosen to speak a few words of encouragement to next students taking the course.
So, believe me when I tell you that there is always a solution, all we have to do is work for it. Obstacles are merely opportunities to succeed. Any challenge that arises can be beneficial for our growth as long as we change our approach. Thank you BLCI for the support and helping with my path to college.
If you haven’t done so already, please consider making a tax deductible year end gift to BLCI. 100% of donations will be matched and can help ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential through education.
Prefer to mail in your contribution? Please address check to Century Club of San Diego with a memo of BLCI.
“They [BLCI] have opened the doors for me to new opportunities and have helped my family in many ways like helping my brother and I with college applications.”
Dana
BLCI Senior
