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COLLEGE 1st HEROES
Overview
Candy Alvarado
Mariana Barba
Laura Casas Frier
Alicia Crank
Oscar Garcia
Derek Lipkin
Rocio Lopez
Judy Miner |
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Featured Heroine: Candy Alvarado,
Teacher, Bunche Elementary
"Don't give up, learn to overcome those barriers - financial, cultural, academic. You can do it."
"Candy Alvarado has risen from the Compton School District, historically one of the worst in California,
to be a lead teacher who helped make Bunche Elementary one of the most successful schools serving
the poor in California."
Family Background: "My parents migrated from Mexico to the U.S. so that we could have a better life.
I was born here."
Where I Grew Up: Compton, CA
Pre College Education: Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Bunche Middle School; Dominguez High School.
College Education: Cerritos College - AA; Cal State Long Beach — BA
"Aha" Moment: "My first semester in college. It was so different and I loved it."
Biggest Challenge To get there: "Lack of resources and information. Compton doesn't push college.
I was the first in my family to go to college, and I had to figure it out for myself."
Biggest Challenge In College: "Always being tired. I was working full time and going to school full time."
Mentor: "My Mother definitely pushed me all the way, (saying) ‘We didn't come to this country
for you not to get an education."
Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Fraser, Kinder Teacher — "She taught me to read, was strict but tender;
she was always willing to help."
Favorite Author: Sandra Cisneros: "I read her and thought, here's a Mexican American like me
who got an education, who's a writer. I can do it too."
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