Congratulations
to our Scholarship Recipients!
GO BEARS!!
2019 Golden Osas y Osos Scholarship (Freshmen)Gisella Dircio
My name is Gisella Dircio, as a Chicana, I am proud to say that I grew up in San Diego. I am grateful for having a family that taught taught me how to be kind, hard-working, disciplined, and value my education. My parents sacrificed their opportunity to finish high school, so they moved to the United States to have a better chance at life. Living in a society, where I am constantly feeling oppressed, I co-founded a MEChA chapter in my high school. I wanted to create a space where students that identified as Chicanx/Latinx could feel like they belonged. We coordinated many fundraisers for the Central American caravan, volunteered with the Colectivo Zapatista group in San Diego, led workshops on Afro-Latinidad and how there still is anti-blackness in the Latino/a community, and organized a student delegation to Puerto Rico. I want to continue this at UC Berkeley my majoring in Ethnic Studies because I learned how important it is to gather with your community and take action to improve it. My family is my motivation, and I want to be a role model for my younger sister. I am the first in my family to attend college, I am a young woman, I am Chicana, and I am proud.
Jennifer Antunez
"I still lust for life, I am still ferociously independent, I still crave justice and I fall madly in love easily." - Isabel Allende
Hello to all, My name is Jennifer Antunez Lopez and I am originally from Cuernavaca, Morelos MX. However, for most of my life, to be exact, 13 years, San Diego has been my home. I grew up in Encanto, a small neighborhood located in southeast San Diego, where I was able to develop my love for law and education. Unfortunately, I have had several experiences where I have witnessed my community be taken advantage of by our justice system. Due to this, I am currently planning to study Society and Environment at the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley. Witnessing how unjust our justice system is, has motivated and inspired me to pursue a career in criminal law as a lawyer. I hope that in a few years I am able to take on cases where I can fight for the justice that our community deserves. In the meantime, while I build up to that ideal future, I plan on joining many clubs on campus where I can use my voice and skills to help our community in any way that I can. I am excited to become a bear and am extremely grateful to be a recipient of the Osas y Osos Scholarship. Julieta Soto
Hey y’all, I’m Julieta Soto! I was raised in Southeast San Diego and attended San Diego High School of International Studies. Participating in several college preparatory programs (Barrio Logan College Institute, Reality Changers, and Upward Bound) steered me towards the pursuit of higher education because they provided several resources during my time in high school. Within my community, I was a tutor for elementary students at Barrio Logan College Institute, a member of Barrio Youth Science, and an active member of my church as an altar server. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program where I learned about journalism at a more in-depth level and was able to publish an article regarding sanctuary cities for their Summer Journal. As a first-generation college student, at UC Berkeley (Class of 2023), I plan to major in English and minor in Spanish.
Yahamel Felix
My name is Yahamel Felix. I'm from San Diego, California and I graduated from Gompers Preparatory Academy. At Gompers, I was the President of Key Club for two years consecutively, player of the Varsity Softball team for four years and a recipient for several awards and recognitions. At UC Berkeley, I plan to pursue a major in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a master's in Psychology to become a clinical psychologist
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2019 Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship (Transfer)N/A for 2019-2020 |
2018 Golden Osas y Osos Scholarship (Freshmen)Joseline Sanchez
Hello my name is Joseline Sanchez, I graduated from Del Lago Academy in Escondido California and I’m grateful to be part of the Osas y Osos Scholarship recipients. One of my biggest desires is to pursue a career where I can help those in need. Therefore, I dedicated my time to helping others. At the age of 13 I was able to start a new ASL program at my church, I enrolled in American Sign Language (ASL) classes at Palomar College and became an ASL Catechist. I taught deaf children about their faith and introduced the deaf community into the church. Children were able to receive their Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and there has even been a deaf wedding. The program still grows having taught the new generation of translators. At school I loved to be involved. I was Captain of the Varsity Cross Country team and a Varsity Lacrosse player. As a Peer Tutor I helped students graduate. At City Hall I served as a Youth Court Attorney for teens that had been arrested and helped them turn their lives around. Due to my love for the medical field I was a Pathmaker Intern at Palomar Hospital and was able to care for patients all the way from the 9th, Oncology floor to the Emergency Department. Everything I have done and dedicated my life to has shaped me into who I am as a person today. My family has had one of the biggest impacts on my life, without my parents’ sacrifices I wouldn't be where I am today, they've shaped my character, strong-will and passed down to me their caring hearts. Because of them I am achieving my goals. I am a first generation college student and am proud to be a Latina!
Lizzette Corrales
My parents raised me and my older siblings to believe in the power of education and God. They came to the U.S. to embrace the opportunities that weren't available in Mexico. Learning from them, I developed a strong religious faith and a drive to achieve my personal goals. When I was in fifth grade my doctor revealed that I was on the verge of obesity. Over the next few months, I improved my eating habits and health.
I developed a passion for writing rap early in my life. In high school I joined Speech and Debate and made a SoundCloud account to share my music with the world. In addition to rapping, I enjoyed volunteering at my Catholic parish, Christ the King, by playing the bass guitar for the choir. I joined the ABC Youth Foundation in the eighth grade where I learned to box and served as a youth ambassador. I competed in boxing tournaments and represented the foundation in media outlets throughout high school. Selena Cuevas
I was raised in Spring Valley, California where I attended Mount Miguel High School. Because of my involvement with the UCSD Upward Bound Math and Science Program, Varsity Tennis team, Theater, and others, I will happily be spending my next 4 years at the University of California, Berkeley, Class of 2022. I have had experience with volunteering for SHARP Hospice Care and with Interact Club as the former President. I have also participated in the Resident Youth Leadership Academy Public Health Internship. This has inspired me to pursue my bachelor's degree in Public Health to hopefully become an epidemiologist and work for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Being a minority, first generation college student, these dreams are not expected. But I live to not only exceed the expectations, but to redefine them in a positive light. |
2018 Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship (Transfer)Jorge Del Castillo
Buenas dias, My name is Alexis Del Castillo, I am majoring in Chicano Studies/Legal studies and I grew up in Chula Vista where I attended Castle Park High School and then attended Southwestern College. In college, I joined various organizations to help improve the life of students like the Puente Project, debate team, local student governance, and state wide student governance. Debate taught me about all the social injustices around the world while organizations like Puente empowered me to be proud of my heritage. In 2017 I dropped out of school after dealing with emotional trauma from multiple personal events and moved to Tijuana where I decided to dedicated my life to helping others through social activism instead. With pressure from my counselors to apply to the Universities I decided to take their advice and I did. Months later I was accepted to 5 different UC's. Originally, I choose UC Davis, one of 5 schools I was accepted to until I received word that UC Berkeley had reversed their decision and granted me admissions through an appeal with a better scholarship to cover my entire tuition. Now I await to head over to Berkeley as an incoming Trojan Bear! Viva México!
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2017 Golden Osas y Osos Scholarship (Freshmen) |
2017 Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship (Transfer) |
Alexis Llamas
Alexis is attending UC Berkeley this year. He volunteers at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and at his local library tutoring his peers in the sciences. He also earned a gold ranking for his essay on the quantum mechanical model of an atom in the regional academic decathlon. Alexis also interned at the Salk Institute where he researched the functional differences in cortical interneurons. He hopes to pursue a career in medical research.
Daizy De La Torre
My name is Daizy De La Torre and I graduated from Southwest High School located in San Diego, California. I will begin my undergraduate career this fall at UC Berkeley, joining the class of 2021. My intended major is Chemistry; I am eager to immerse myself in this field of science because I want to change the world one bond at a time. I have already begun this journey by having earned admission into a prestigious internship program at The Scripps Research Institute during the summer of my junior year in high school. Eventually through the aid of my amazing mentors, I became a published author to an article in the Journal of American Chemical Society as a Latina high school student. My ambition to contribute to this world through research is what I now live for. Knowing that my race and gender is underrepresented in attaining a college education, has really sparked my passion to graduate from a university. I believe that will be one of my greatest accomplishments for the future to come and will serve as an inspiration to my community.
Maria Davila
Originally from Mexico City, Maria Davila Cadena immigrated to San Diego as a young child, knowing no English, and has lived here for the past 14 years. An honors graduate from Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, she actively participated in her community as a cellist in the orchestra, a dancer within Eastlake Dance Company, and a competitive swimmer with South Bay Aquatics. Through her swimming background, she was selected as a national athlete representative for USA Swimming, and used her knowledge of Spanish to help the swimming governance community progress towards Diversity and Inclusion. Though not from a family of means, she never lets her financial situation prove to be a barrier, and advocates for higher level education not only for herself but for others in her community. Maria will be attending the University of California, Berkeley in the fall as a dual Political Science and Legal Studies major, and aspires to one day attend law school and use her talents to advocate for the Chicano/Latinx community as a representative in Congress.
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Aneth Gonzalez
Aneth Flores Gonzalez is originally from Jalisco, Mexico, where she grew up and completed her basic studies. She moved to San Ysidro at the age of 17 and has since been living with her parents and studying higher education. Aneth is a very dedicated student, and she graduated from Southwestern College with an Associates’ degree in Criminal Justice and Dance this Spring 2017. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is transferring to UC Berkeley where she will major in Legal Studies and then apply to a law school. Aneth wants to serve the community by being an attorney. By being the first in her family to go to college, she hopes to encourage her younger siblings and friends to also go to college and achieve their career and life goals. Having the economic support of the Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship, Aneth knows she will succeed and accomplish her goals and dreams.
Angel Ramirez
I was born and raised in Chula Vista, California. I went to Hilltop Elementary, Middle and High school. I began at Southwestern College in 2012 but dropped out due to substance abuse and returned in 2014 after treatment and counseling. I joined the Puente Project which really gave me a sense of community and introduced me to the UC system in which I was never aware of until I began the program. Puente opened the doors for my educational journey and equipped me with the tools I needed to be successful in my academics. In 2017 I was accepted to UC San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Davis, and Berkeley. I am proud to say that come Fall 2017, I will be an official Golden Bear. I will begin my time at UC Berkeley as a resident at Casa Joaquin Murrieta. I will be majoring in Sociology. After I complete my BA, I would like to pursue a MA in Public Policy or Non-Profit Management. These are just brainstormed ideas that are subject to change but my passion is to ultimately serve my community. I wish to continue my education furthermore to obtain a Doctorate. I’m not entirely sure what the future holds but God willing I will see these goals manifest themselves into reality. Thank you, UCB CLAA of San Diego for the blessing.
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2016 Golden Osas y Osos Scholarship (Freshmen)Karina Valdespino
My name is Karina Valdespino, I attended Mission Vista High School, and I will be a part of the UC Berkeley Class of 2020. I grew up as a proud Chicana in Vista, California, a small town in North San Diego County. Throughout life, I have never let my personal struggles, such as my financial instabilities, interfere with my academic endeavors, goals, and other extracurricular pursuits. Coming from a family where my parents didn’t attend high school, much less university, my education was always a highly valued concept in my household. Alongside my peers, I often felt as though they did not understand my struggles as a Chicana and I got the shorter end of the stick. But my experiences have always led me to be the strong, bold, and motivated individual I have become over the years. Even though I have had a difficult life growing up, it never steered me off my path of wanting to help my surrounding community and those in need, especially those coming from my same background. This led me to the Vista Library, which has become my second home and a significant place in my life. Here, I’ve had the opportunity to further engage with my local community of hard working individuals. I hope to support my community by majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology, and pursuing a career in the medical field as a doctor or a researcher. UC Berkeley is a community I know where I will be a part of a change bigger than myself and will provide me with a well-rounded education to be a leader in whatever I choose to pursue.
Mitchell Cazares Martinez
My name is Mitchell Cazares Martinez. I was raised in an impoverished household in San Diego. This has motivated me to pursue an excellent education. My dedication has helped me join the UC Berkeley class of 2020. In the future, I plan to return to San Diego and better the communities in any way possible.
Rosa Beltran
Rosa Beltran is a seventeen year old student going to enter University of California Berkeley for her first year of college, majoring in Gender/Women Studies and possibly Peace Conflict and Resolutions. She lives in San Diego, California and is passionate about a variety of topics such as feminism, Wonder Woman, and social justice. She loves to commit her time to her community by her involvement in Key Club and President of Youth Leadership of America, a program that teaches high schools students leadership skills such as public speaking, resume-building, and servant leadership. She was on her school’s girls’ varsity tennis team as a doubles player. Rosa hopes to use her compassion to help people by someday becoming an ambassador to the United Nations for Women or working in the Peace Corps.
Manuel Leon Guillen
Hello, my name is Manuel Leon Guillen and I believe life is a lot of things. . . I believe life is crazy, extraordinary, tough, upsetting, wild, but life is beautiful. Life is what you make of it and we all have a different story. This is my story. I am 18 years old, born in Mexico, but raised in Escondido, CA. I attended Escondido High School where I was the captain for our boy’s soccer team. My intended major is Public Heath or Molecular and Cell Biology focusing on Cell Development. I plan on attending medical school and becoming a plastic surgeon. I previously worked at The Ink Spot Tattoo Shop in Escondido, and now I currently work at Philthy Clean Tattoo Shop in Berkeley. I have a loving mother, a six-year old brother, and a great group of friends who support my dreams. I am a first-generation high school graduate and a first-generation college student; I am Latino and I am proud.
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2016 Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship (Transfer)Melissa Rodriguez
My name is Melissa Rodriguez and I am a Chicana whose first language was Spanish and will now be majoring in English at the University of California, Berkeley. I plan on becoming a teacher and pursuing a master’s degree in education. My goal is to give others the gift that my family gave me, which was a better life through language and literacy. Representing the student body on multiple levels at Southwestern College has strengthened my passion for education and community, and for helping students become empowered by finding their voice so that they may go on to empower and impact others in their communities.
Edna Stewart
My name is Edna Stewart, and I graduated high school at the age of 12. I was home-schooled for three years after the fourth grade, where I learned all the curriculum necessary for a high school degree. I started at Southwestern College when I was 13 years old, and received my Associate’s Degree in Biology at 16. I am transferring to UC Berkeley for a Bachelor’s Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Beyond basic credentials, my sense of self has been centered on the basic principle of resilience. Throughout my educational career, I battled many personal setbacks – ranging from homelessness, extreme poverty, and commuting across the international border for hours on a daily basis. Managing a serious course load along with these stressors was not a simple task, but it was made possible with hard work and optimism. Ultimately, however, I have had a very positive experience in higher education. I am able to work on what I love, and will be able to one day put forth my knowledge to the greater good. I hope to become a biological researcher, and work to shed light on the link between genetics and disease. |
2015 Golden Osas y Osos Scholarship (Freshmen)Lissa Garcia
As a Chicana, I am proud to say that I grew up in Chula Vista, California, and Michoacán, Mexico. Speaking Spanglish and waking up to my mother's cumbias on the weekends can pretty much sum up my childhood. I am eternally grateful for having parents that always emphasized the value of an education and who continually support and love me. I am also grateful for growing up with a father because I know that many people in my community did not have that privilege. Coming from immigrant parents and being considered a minority was something I used to be ashamed of but now I use my frustration as fuel to fight for the rights of those neglected and oppressed. There were days when I felt alone walking through the gates of my high school or did not feel like waking up for school but then I thought of all my ancestors who fought so that I can be where I am today. I think of my father who worked in the fields and left his beloved Michoacán so that my brother and I could get an education. I think of my mother who sacrificed raising me by going to work because my father suffered from a seizure and could no longer work for some time. My family and my roots are my motivation to wake up every day and do my best in all aspects of life. Not learning about the history of the minority groups that have made up this country in my high school has triggered a passion within me to double major in Ethnic Studies and Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley in order to come back to my community as an educator. I want to give a voice to those silenced and make students feel like the act of getting an education is revolutionary.
Gilberto Carrasco Urroz
My name is Gilberto Carrasco Urroz and I will be part of UC Berkeley's class of 2019. I attended and graduated from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, CA. My future plans at Cal are to study psychology and possibly business, for a double-major.
Francisco Gomez |
2015 Roll On You Osas y Osos Scholarship (Transfer)Luis Lopez Resendiz
I am a Mixteco-undocumented student of color and the State Youth Coordinator of the Bi-national Front of Indigenous Organizations (FIOB) who is committed to social justice and the indigenous peoples resistance. As a student at San Diego City College and local activist I have collaborated with different social movements here in the US-Mexican border that have helped me develop a critical view of the world and the way politics work around our communities and across borders. Education is the key for the liberation of our communities; I have always taken my education to support social movements and community struggle. Now that I have been given the opportunity to study Political Science in one of the best public schools in the United States of America, I am confident that I will grow stronger in order to keep fighting for the liberation of our pueblos.
Rosella Luna
Rosella Luna is a community college transfer student from Southwestern College. She is double majoring in political science, minoring in public policy and is planning on attending graduate school after completing her undergraduate studies. Her involvement in the Associated Student Organization and her passion for helping underprivileged communities inspired her to pursue a career in state government.
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My name is Francisco Gomez and I grew up in the small, border town of Calexico, California. I attended Calexico High School and will be part of University of California, Berkeley’s graduating class of 2019. I intend to double major in Economics and Business Administration and from there hope to begin pursuing my goals I have set forth. The most significant transition I hope to make would be to attain my dream job as a financial analyst. I will go from learning and studying the many complex aspects of economics to applying them in real life. I look forward to the day where I can analyze the constant changes that the economic environment undergoes for a living. I hope to be capable of advising many businesses and financial institutions of the economic trends that are present.Consulting companies like Microsoft, where I will be able to do financial forecasts and trend analysis for them.
In order to achieve this goal, it will take hard work and dedication in every course I take these next four years. I will efficiently take advantage of all the opportunities and resources available at this institution. I believe that every goal can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Nothing will detain me from achieving my goal to become a successful financial analyst. |
