Yearb k 2020
BRENDA SAUCEDO The University of Texas at Austin BBA in Marketing and Management Information Systems After graduation, Brenda spent time giving back as a Breakthrough AmeriCorps member. This summer she made the move to Seattle, WA to work as a Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft -- a job she secured before graduation. In the future, Brenda plans to further her learning by going back to school to receive her MBA.
Breakthroughʼs passion and advocacy means so much to me and many other Breakthrough students. I wake up every day and get to live out my dreams thanks to this amazing organization. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am to say that I am a first-generation college graduate. I owe my parents and Breakthrough for pushing me and believing in me. Breakthrough is such a special program, and I will always feel eternally grateful towards the staff and volunteers that dedicate their time to open doors for students. From a young age, Breakthrough taught me that the sky's the limit and they would help me get to and through college. As a young kid, I didn’t understand how serious that promise was. From tutoring to giving me vouchers to be able to afford my SAT and ACT exams, to helping me with financial aid, the college application process, scholarships, and everything in between— I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for this beautiful support system helping me and students like me navigate a system that was foreign to me and my family. Breakthrough also helped my sister get to and graduate from a private engineering school on a full ride, and she is now a mechanical engineer in Austin. My parents moved here to the US in search of the American dream, and once here, they realized that their dream of seeing their children be first-generation college graduates would be difficult, especially with their lack of resources. Breakthrough took us under their wing and believed in my family. Thank you to the entire Breakthrough community for believing in students like me and for sticking by our side for the long haul.
JOSE GARIBAY St. Edwardʼs University BA in Political Science and Government After graduating, Jose spent a year of service as a Breakthrough AmeriCorps member on the College Completion Team. Currently, Jose is the Deputy Operations Director for Joe Biden’s Florida Coordinated Campaign and hopes to continue his career as part of the next presidential administration.
Growing up, I didn't know anyone that had ever gone to college. It wasnʼt until I joined Breakthrough that I saw people like myself not only go to college but do really cool things. This had a huge impact on my life. As a young person you just don't know where or who to turn at times. You don't know what the experience will take. There are so many things you aren't aware of. Being a part of Breakthrough meant I had somewhere to turn to ask questions, someone to advocate for me, to help and guide me. And, they weren’t just there for me. My parents and most of my family are really close to a lot of the staff, too. Breakthrough has been there for all of us. I think that’s what I love the most.
KIMBERLY OLEA Rice University BA in Psychology After graduating from Rice, Kimberly spent the summer interning at Haynes and Boone, LLP in Houston. This fall, she started law school at SMU Dedman School of Law, where she hopes to graduate in three years to become a practicing attorney. Eventually Kimberly hopes to attain a judgeship and then run for office.
It feels absolutely amazing to be a first-generation college graduate. It's a huge achievement, and I don't think the magnitude of it has quite set in for me yet. I've always heard that it takes a village to raise a child, and my village (parents, family, friends, teachers, and Breakthrough) is the reason I've been able to succeed. Breakthrough has had a huge impact on me. Not only was the program itself a good way to spend my summers, I also met incredible people there. I interacted with staff who I consider having had massive roles in my character development and who I cherish tremendously in my life. People like Zakkiyah, Claudia, Dorothy, and Maya showed me what strong, fierce, kind, hardworking professional women are and should be. They have been and continue to be amazing role models for me. I also got to have beautiful experiences as a Breakthrough Summer Teaching Fellow that helped me grow both as a student and teacher. The constant support I received from the Breakthrough community both in the manner of advice, accessibility to mentors, and professional connections, as well as genuine kindness in the form of encouraging words and care packages, were crucial to my ability to stay positive throughout college. Knowing that I always had people in my corner made all the difference. Thank you, Breakthrough, for everything you’ve done for me.
JOSEPH RAMIREZ St. Edwardʼs University BA in Biology While in college, Joseph spent two summers working at Accenture as part of Breakthrough’s Future Focus paid internship program. After graduation, Joseph joined their Austin team as a full-time Consulting Analyst and also serves as a Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs for the City of Austin.
Breakthroughʼs biggest influence on me really comes down to mindset. Breakthrough taught me how to stay flexible and keep an open mind. This has made all the difference in my life and has helped me get to where I am today. Breakthrough’s paid college internship program profoundly impacted my future. First, because I am a DACA recipient, I don’t qualify for most student loans. I always had to work to cover the gap in my tuition. I was right out of high school when Breakthrough secured my first paid internship for me with a local biotech company. Instead of working a minimum wage job, I was able to earn more money that could go towards my tuition. On top of that, I was able to develop professional experience and networks that led to future paid internships with the Austin Chamber of Commerce and then Accenture, which is where I work today.
GRECIA LOPEZ Texas Tech University BS in Kinesiology After serving two summers as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow in 2016 and 2017, Grecia was inspired to return to Breakthrough as a full-time AmeriCorps member this year. She soon hopes to return to school to pursue her Master’s of Science in Healthcare Administration in order to help improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.
From a shy and quiet 6th grader to a now PROUD and confident first-generation college graduate, I want to thank my Breakthrough community for constantly reminding me of the power I hold within myself. Aside from the constant support from advisors and endless tutoring help, I think the time I truly realized how much I appreciated Breakthrough was during my first year of college. Being six hours away from home was difficult, and I remember there was a point where I was overwhelmed by the feeling that I did not belong. It reflected in my grades. Before I knew it, my Breakthrough advisor was in Lubbock helping me find resources. It was at that moment that I realized how much Breakthrough truly cared for my success and how far they were willing to go for their students. Now being a college graduate I couldn't imagine my college journey without Breakthrough and their constant support along the way.
ELI LOPEZ Texas Tech University BS in Sport Management Eli is a former Breakthrough Summer Teaching Fellow and proud Breakthrough graduate. After graduating in August, Eli took on a position as teacher and coach at Martin Middle School in Austin Independent School District.
Breakthrough helped me in so many ways. Being a first-generation college student was not easy for me or my family, but Breakthrough was able to get me on the correct path to achieve my goals academically. I will forever be grateful for my Breakthrough community that has helped me along the way. Thank you to all my Breakthrough advisors and mentors for the support these past years. Special thanks to my previous advisors, Constance and Ivanna, for your support in college. Thank you for pushing me in school and for never giving up on me.
DEʼANDREA FOY Sam Houston State University BA in Political Science After walking the graduation stage this month, De’Andrea plans to launch her own blog and podcast within the next year. Long term, she would like to have a few different business ventures, starting with a coffee shop.
I feel elated to be a first-generation college graduate. Every decision that I have made has led to this point and it's finally here! When I look back at the ways that Breakthrough has been there for me and my family, I can’t help but smile. Whether it was helping me break out of my shell and socialize or being an outlet during times that I needed them, my family and I are grateful that Breakthrough has been with us during this past decade. The love, support, and opportunities that Breakthrough has provided for me are things that I know I will have to guide me on my next endeavors. I always knew that college was the goal, I just never knew how I was going to get there. Thanks to the guidance from Breakthrough, I found my way.
JESSICA MARTINEZ Concordia University Texas BA in Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration in Psychology
Just two and a half years after high school, Jessica will walk the college graduation stage this month. Short term, she will start a job alongside an event planner, and later plans to attend graduate school to become a practicing marriage and family therapist.
Breakthrough has always helped me stay one step ahead of the game in middle school, high school and through college. I had support all through the years that would shape me the most. There was a time where I was going through a really rough patch, and Breakthrough was always my constant. Even when I felt I couldn’t do something, I always found myself at Breakthrough working harder. Breakthrough has shaped me into the person I wanted to be when I first started this program. Also, meeting and working with my summer teachers during middle school and high school was a huge thing for me. It gave me hope that I could succeed, too. It really was life changing when Breakthrough motivated and empowered me to work hard and achieve my dreams of a Bachelor’s degree only 2 years after high school graduation. They always reassured me that I was doing great and that I had it in me to be successful. Without that support, I don’t know where I would be.
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