Giovanna Barragan, a first-gen college student at USC, celebrates first-gen student day. “For me, being first-gen is to be an example for the generations after me. It means showing them that they can go for their dreams and break barriers. It’s like a special title that honors my family’s sacrifices while also planting new seeds.”
“College and post-college can become a jumbled and confusing road. But the structure from Making Waves makes it all possible,” shared Abraham Segura (he/him), a first-gen grad who followed his passions and earned his degree from San Francisco State.
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.
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.
Doris Martinez shares her college and career journey from San Rafael to earning a Making Waves scholarship to graduating from UC Berkeley without any student loans and starting a business career at Ernst and Young in the Bay Area.
An English education major at San Francisco State University, Salvador Sandoval is pursuing his passion for creative writing and his goal of becoming a teacher in his hometown of Pittsburg, California. “Making Waves is one of the reasons I am in college,” he shared.
“Whatever you want to be in life, be the best you can be at it,” shared Allison Cubillas, a first-gen graduate from UC San Diego who graduated debt-free and started a full-time role at Meketa Investment Group.
“Take advantage of every opportunity so say yes to everything” shared Anthony Jacobo Gonzalez, a Wave-Maker from Pittsburg, California who is attending UC Davis and completing an internship as a part of the Sacramento Valley College Corps. “I just want to give thanks to Making Waves for the resources and opportunities they provide to me. Helping me pay for tuition and providing me with an amazing coach have both been fundamental to my sanity. I really appreciate them, and everything they do in helping me break generational barriers.”
“It is an absolutely amazing feeling to know that I have made history,” shared Leajé Morris, the first Making Waves Academy alumni to graduate from UC Berkeley School of Law and the first in her family to become a lawyer. “It is truly unreal and is an absolute blessing. I would not be here without God, my mother, my Making Waves family, and the discipline that I have maintained throughout this process,” she shared. “It is very gratifying to know that I can inspire other young students of color, especially those who come from a similar background as I do.”
Through a focus on career development planning with his college coach at Making Waves, Tony Ayala landed an internship that led to a full-time job offer following his graduation from San Jose State University.
“Reaching college graduation is evidence for me that I can do anything and that I’m strong,” shared Alison Paxtor, a Wave-Maker and first-generation college graduate. Now with a newly minted degree in health sciences from California State University, East Bay, Alison has been putting her studies and her passion into action — making healthcare more equitable and improving care for underserved communities.
As she graduates from Cal State East Bay and moves on to work at the California State Bar, Wave-Maker and first-generation student Jennifer Diaz is taking a moment to reflect on her experiences and accomplishments, including completing a restorative justice internship and graduating with honors.
