Great Kern County
The Central Valley Scholars team.
Central Valley Scholars helps local students achieve academic dreams By Ema Sasic
» FOR MANY CENTRAL VALLEY STUDENTS WHO COME
FROM LOW-INCOME OR FIRST-GENERATION HOUSEHOLDS, PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AND HAVING AMPLE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE A GIVEN. Michael Piña (pronouns she/he), who grew up in Kerman, noticed the lack of educational resources and support students from the Central Valley face in comparison to her University of California Berkeley peers. Counselors and teachers in high school did not believe in Piña’s chances of graduating, nor pursuing higher education, due to her background, and she realized many of her Central Valley peers were likely experiencing the same thing. So she created Central Valley Scholars to meet the
need and advocate for her peers. Central Valley Scholars empowers students to realize their potential and capabilities and directly provides the resources, guidance and support in order to make their educational dreams a reality. It also creates a safe space for all students where they are supported, admired, advocated for and respected. Piña said the program started with workshops, themtors (who assist first-generation, undocumented and Black students from the Central Valley with their college applications) and scholarship opportunities. In its nearly two years, Central Valley Scholars has grown and expanded quickly. » See more Our Town on PAGE 64.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL PIÑA
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