89 Bay Area students from low-income backgrounds earned $2.3 million total in college scholarships and are paired with Making Waves college coaches, financial coordinators, and career specialists.
At the 10th Making Waves Academy graduation ceremony in June 2024, Student Body President Simren Sandhu, Salutatorian Yoltzin Wallace, and Valedictorian Alessandro Torres gave compassionate speeches about their educational journeys.
Making Waves Academy was recognized among the top high schools in the 2024 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, receiving an overall ranking of 91.84 of out 100.
College seniors in the Class of 2024 reflect on why they pursued higher education, how they found community, career experience, and connections – and what they’re exploring post-grad.
Jonathan Negrete, a Chico State grad and relationship manager at Fidelity, shares his tips for networking and gaining career experience during and after college.
The scholarships and coaching from Making Waves made attending UC Berkeley attainable for first-gen college student Ale Paz, who has found community on campus, studied abroad, and completed a global internship. “College has given me so much freedom to explore these opportunities and figure out what’s best for me. It’s been a great journey,” Ale said.
Harvard Extension School paid a visit to Making Waves Academy for a panel conversation. “Students left inspired, supported, and with the realization that not everyone’s journey is a straight line,” shared Dr. Arika Spencer-Brown, director of college and career counseling. The Harvard panel is one of many examples of Making Waves Academy students being supported in exploring all types of college and career pathways.
Making Waves’ scholarships and coaching is open to students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college students from any of the nine Bay Area counties.
From updating our brand to honoring the Class of 2023 – we had a lot to celebrate with our Making Waves community this year. As we continue to partner with students from 5th grade through college and career, help make college affordable and graduation attainable for Bay Area students, and share college and career resources with as many students and families as possible – we also have a lot to look forward to in 2024.
Making Waves’ college and career program is now open to all Bay Area counties. The program provides scholarships and partners students with coaches, financial coordinators, and career specialists.
“I didn’t feel like I belonged in higher ed,” said Alejandro Diaz, a Wave-Maker and UC Davis graduate who shares tips for overcoming imposter syndrome in college.
Making Waves Academy senior Yoltzin Wallace shares about his experience gaining leadership skills and building community while exploring his college options with support from Making Waves.
