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HOLA Alumni Student Profile: Maria Navarro
In 1997 HOLA student, and then High School senior, Maria Navarro wrote the following statement:
"I grew up in Mexico City where things are very different than in the US. In Mexico, few people have the opportunity to attend institutions of higher education. When I immigrated to the United States everything seemed so perfect. I always thought that going to school and getting good grades would open doors to college and give me a better life. Teachers, counselors, and even the President of the United States made young students like myself believe that working hard and getting good grades was all it took to get into college. Now that I am in my last year of high school, I see that things are much different.
Many times, I think that even by working hard I will never be able to get into college, and that brought my high school grades down. My parents, tutors, and friends always believed in me and that made me feel better. I realized that I had people who cared about me. I think that those who believe in themselves and work hard can do great things in life. I think I can be one of those people and even though I have failed many times, I kept trying and will continue to try until I reach my goal. I want to show those who have put me down in the past that those who never give up are the ones that win in the end."
Maria is now in her second year at Cal State Northridge and she is doing amazingly, both in her studies and in her social life. She recently shared the following:
" Being a student at Cal State Northridge University gives me the opportunity to make new friends and join many different organizations. Currently, I work with an organization that helps incoming students. Joining organizations like this has helped me to grow as a person and determine what I want to do with my life. In addition to being a full time student, I also work as a waitress. Having both responsibilities has helped me learn to manage my time well and has helped me to realize that I need to continue my education if I don't want to work long hours for the rest of my life. In the future, I hope to become a psychologist and help my community and HOLA family, who have helped me so much. I know I have big dreams, but like my favorite quote says, "[t]he world belongs to the ones who believe in the beauty of their dreams" and I believe in mine."
