2025 YEARBOOK Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Thisremarkablegroupof83first-generationcollegegraduatesisdefinedby extraordinaryresilienceanddetermination.Theynavigatedtheongoing challengesofthepost-pandemicworldandtheevolvinglandscapeof highereducation,yetremainedsteadfastintheirpursuitofmeaningful degreesthatwillshapetheirfutures.
Manygraduatesareenteringcareersinengineeringandaccounting,while othersarepursuingcreativepathwayssuchasphotographyand communications.Alongsidethesegraduates,27additionalstudentsearned acertificateorassociatedegreethisyearandareadvancingtheir postsecondaryjourneyswithBreakthrough’sguidanceandsupport.
Whatevertheroadaheadholds,weareconfidentthattheseBreakthrough graduateswillcontinuetoinspire Wecan’twaittoseetheincredibleimpact thisextraordinaryclasswillmakeintheyearstocome!
*Classof2025includesstudentsthatgraduatedintheFallof2024throughSpringof2025.
RENE St. Edward's University
BachelorofBusinessAdministrationinAccounting
Becomingacollegegraduatehasbeenan incrediblemilestoneforRene,andnothing meantmoretohimthanseeinghisparents proudofhisachievement.Whilecollege wasn’talwayshisinitialplan,henowsees thewisdominhisparents’encouragement mom’salwaysright Breakthrough empoweredhimbygivinghimspecial peopletocallhisfriends;mostofhisclosest friendshipswereformedthroughthe program,andthey’vesupportedhimevery stepoftheway.
Breakthroughgavemepeople whobelievedinmebeforeI believedinmyself.
SYMPHANIE Prairie View A&M University
BachelorofScienceinPsychology
Symphanieistakingthisyeartofocusonherself asshepreparestostarthermaster’sprogram andpursueherdreamofbecomingaclinical psychologist.Beingafirst-generationcollege graduatefeelsincredibleforherandherfamily, especiallyafterovercomingsomany challenges.
[Breakthrough’s]support shapesfutureleaders.Keep supportingBreakthrough— thenextgenerationdepends onit.
FREDDIE Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology BachelorofScienceinBiomedicalEngineering
Freddieispursuingafutureinbiomedicalengineering withplanstoworkinprostheticsandrehabilitation technology Hislong-termgoalistoearnamaster’sin orthoticsandprostheticsandeventuallybuilda companyfocusedoncreatingaccessible,highqualityprostheticdevicesforlow-income communities.Asafirst-generationcollegegraduate, hi il f ifi d
BecomingafirstgenerationLatinocollege graduatestillfeelssurreal —it’sproofthatdreams thatoncefeltoutofreach reallyarepossible. Standingonthatstagefelt likecarryingmyfamily’s hopeswithmeandfinally turningthemintoreality.
ALLYSON Sam Houston State University BachelorofScienceinCriminalJustice
Allysonfeelsincrediblyproudtobeafirstgenerationcollegegraduate.Herexperience hasallowedhertoguidehersisterthroughher owncollegejourney.Allysoncredits Breakthrough’ssupportwithhelpinglaythe foundationforhersuccessandsaysshe wouldn’tbewheresheistodaywithoutit.
Thankyou[toeveryone whohassupported]
Breakthrough!Itissuch University inSocialWork
aproud8th-gradealgebrateacher elpingyoungpeoplegrow.Sheplans ateschoolandafuturecareerin edcare After12yearswith hehopestogiveherstudentsthe pportsheoncereceived
Breakthroughdidn’tjustsupportme throughschool—theysupportedmylife.I’ll neverforgetmy[advisor]inmyliving roomeveryFriday,helpingmepush throughFAFSA,waivers,andwhatfeltlike mountainsofpaperwork.[Breakthrough] wastherethroughgrief,imposter syndrome,andmomentsIfeltlike disappearing.Supportlikethisisrare,and itchangedmylifeandmyfamily’sfuture.
VICTORIA The University of Texas at Austin BachelorofScienceinCommunication&Leadership
Victoriaplanstocontinuegrowingherworkin advocacyandisexploringrolesinpublic serviceandgovernment Shehopestopursue amaster’sprograminWashington,D.C.or Californiaashernextbigstep.Shefeelsproud ofwhoshe’sbecomeandknowsthat becomingafirstgenerationcollegegraduate willtransformthetrajectoryofherfamily.
VictoriasaysBreakthroughwasasteady sourceofguidancefromthemomentshe joined,givingherthetools,resources,and senseofbelongingsheneededtosucceed.In today’sclimate,shebelievesBreakthrough’s presenceismoreimportantthanever a pillarofsupportforstudentsandfamilies acrossAustin
ANGEL University of Houston
BachelorofSciencein
ComputerEngineeringTechnology
Aftergraduation,Angelsetouttobeginhercaree automation Afterattendingmultipleinfosessions andcareerfairs,shefoundherplaceatWood,wh shenowworksasanautomationengineeronthe consultingteaminHouston,focusingonoilandg Angelsharesthatbecomingafirst-generation collegegraduatehasbeenlife-changingforher, andshe’sincrediblyproudoftheopportunitiessh earnedandtheresilienceittooktogethere.
EveryoneinBreakthroughtruly wantstohelpourcommunity,an I’mdeeplygratefulforallthe support—especiallyfrom[my advisor]David.Ican’timagine whereI’dbeinmycareerwithout hisguidance.
MARIA Mariaisfocusedonstartinghercareerbysavingfora carandgainingexperiencetotakeonphotography opportunities.She’sreadytobuildherskillsandtake thenextstepstowardhergoals.Becomingafirstgenerationcollegegraduateremindsherthatshe canaccomplishanythingshesetshermindto. She’sproudofherachievementsandgratefulforthe supportshereceivedalongtheway.
Breakthroughwillalwaysbemy family.Graduatingwouldnothave beenpossiblewithouttheirsupport, andaftermorethantenyearswith Breakthrough,theytrulyhave becomeasecondfamilytome.
Texas State University BachelorofArtsinPhotography
ROFIAT Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology BachelorofScienceinMechanicalEngineering
Rofiatplanstobeginhercareerinmechanical engineering,focusingonresearch,development, anddesign.Shehopestokeepgrowingherskillsand eventuallyreturnforhermaster’sdegreesoshecan stayattheforefrontofinnovation.Becomingafirstgenerationcollegegraduatehasbeenincredibly rewarding,andsheisproudtoreachthismilestone forherselfandherfamily
Breakthroughwasasteadyguidethroughouther journey helpinghernavigateapplications, financialaid,andthechallengesofattendingschool outofstate.Thatsupporthelpedhergraduatedebtfreeandshowedherfamilywhat’spossible. AsIstepintomy professionalcareer, Iwanttoexpress mydeepest appreciationto Breakthroughand itscommunityof supporters.Their guidance, resources,and encouragement havehelpedme jump-startthisnext chapter.
FERNANDA St. Edward's University
BachelorofArtsinSocialWork
Fernandaisexcitedtokeepgrowinginthesocialwork fieldasshecontinuesgaininghands-onexperience whiletakingagapyear.Becomingafirst-generation collegegraduateisdeeplymeaningfultoher a reminderofherfamily’ssacrifices,herownresilience, andthecommunitiesthatshapedher.Asshe preparesforgraduateschoolandafutureserving individualsandfamilies,shecarriesimmense gratitudeforBreakthrough.
JENNIFER The University of Texas at Austin BachelorofScienceinPublicRelations
Jenniferrecentlysteppedintohernewroleasa MarketingandCommunicationsSpecialist,andis excitedtokeepgrowinginpublicrelationsand storytelling.Becomingafirst-generationcollege graduatefeelsincrediblyrewardingforher a milestonesheworkedtowardforyearsnotjustfor herself,butforherfamilyandeveryonewho supportedher
JESÚS St. Edward’s University
BachelorofArtsinInternationalAffairs
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
BachelorofScienceinInternationalRelations
Jesúsisexcitedaboutwhatcomesnext Inspiredby hisexperienceasanAmeriCorpsTeachingFellowwith Breakthrough,henowplanstogetcertifiedtoteach socialstudiesinTexas,keepstudyingJapaneseand Indonesian,andeventuallypursueadualmaster’s programinJapanandKoreasohecanbecomean internationalteacherorprofessor.
Jesúsfeelsdeeplyaffirmedandgratefulforhis educationalexperience.HecreditsBreakthrough’s advisorsforguidinghim,checkinginevenwhilehe wasinJapan,andhelpinghisfamilyunderstandthe collegeprocess.
Graduatingfrom twouniversitiesin twodifferent countriesis somethingInever thoughtwas possible—andIam foreverthankfulto Breakthroughfor helpingmesurpass whatIoncebelieved Icouldn’tachieve.
HRISTIAN as State University elorofScienceinPublicRelations
tianisexcitedtobeginbuildinghiscareer blicrelations,especiallyinhospitalityand -relatedindustrieswherehecanwork tlywithclientsandgrowhisreal-world rience Asafirst-generationcollege uate,hefeelsproudtohavepushed ghchallengesforhimselfandhisfamily kthroughsupportedhimthroughfinancial, emic,andpersonalobstacles,makingthe eyfeelpossible forhimandforhis nts. possiblethrougheducation.
Breakthroughwasthe biggestblessingIcould’ve askedfor.I’msoblessedand honoredtohavebeenpartof thisamazingorganization.
Breakthroughistrulythebest! They’vesupportedmethrough everystepnotjustacademically, butinlife.I’msothankfulforthis communityandeverything they’vedoneforstudentslikeme.
MICHELLE St. Edward's University
BachelorofArtsinSocialWork
Michelleoftendescribesherjourneythrough collegeasshapedbyresilience,faith,and determination,embracingtheunique experiencesofbeingafirst-generation collegestudent.Througheveryhardship,she keptmovingforward,andBreakthrough becameasteadysourceofguidanceand emotionalsupport Now,she’sfocusedon pursuinghermaster’sdegreeandafuturein therapysoshecanhelpchildrenandfamilies thewaysheonceneededhelpherself.
Breakthroughhelpedme everystepoftheway. [Breakthrough]supported mewhenIstruggled, checkedinonmyfamily, andneverletmefeelalone. Youdon’trealizehowmuch supportyouhaveuntil[you havecompletedthe program],andnowIcan feelthatloss—inagood way—becauseitshows howmuch[Breakthrough] wasreallythereforme.I’m proudtocallmyselfa collegegraduate,knowing howhardIworkedandhow hardIpushedmyselftoget here.
MARTIN Texas A&M University
BachelorofScienceinEconomics
Martinplanstokeepbuildinghiscareerindata andisexcitedtofinallymoveforwardwithoutthe financialstressthatshapedhiscollegeyears.
Graduatingfeelslikealong-earnedwin
HeshareshowBreakthroughwasessentialin helpinghimstayfocused—connectinghimto resources,guidinghimthroughfinancialaid,and supportinghimeverystepoftheway.
JoiningBreakthroughwas thegreatestdecisionIever madeformyacademic journey. FRANCIS University of North Texas BachelorofArtsinMediaArts
Francisbuiltconfidence,community,andstrong mentorshipthroughBreakthrough—supportthat stayedwithherthroughcollegeandevery challengealongtheway.
Now,she’sexcitedtostepintofilmproductionand freelancecreativeprojects,usingherskillstotell meaningfulstoriesandgrowinafieldsheloves. Shefeelsdeeplygratefulforthepeoplewho believedinherandhelpedherreachthismoment.
Ididn’tjustfindmentorsat Breakthrough—Ifounda communitythathelpedme dreambiggerandshowedmeI wascapableofsomuchmore.
BRANYA St. Edward's University
BachelorofArtsinCriminalJustice
Branyaissteppingintoherfuturewith prideanddeterminationafter overcomingmanybarrierstobecome afirst-generationcollegegraduate. She’sdrivenbyhergoaltoserveher communityasahomicidedetective, andshecarrieswithhertheresilience, hardwork,andsacrificethatgother throughthelastfouryears.
Breakthroughhelpedme whenIneededthemthe most.I’mblessedtohavean organizationthattookcareof mesoIcouldsucceed.They gavemealltheresources andmotivationIneeded,soI neverhadareasontoquitmy education.Iovercameso manybarriers,andtheprideI feeltodaycomesfrom knowinghowhardIworked forthismoment.
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