High School: Gateway High School

College: University of California, San Diego

Area of Study: Computer Science

Career Goal: Founder and CEO of a successful technology company

“Am I old enough to get a job yet?” I asked my dad. “Sure, if you can find one that will hire ten year olds,” he responded every time. As a fifth grader, all I ever wanted was a paying job. By dreadfully watching my parents come home late nights exhausted, I wanted to relieve their stresses. During our time together, we would play ‘Store’, a game that foreshadowed my desired career. I dedicated my past summer to disassembling computers, studying software, and developing professional skills. I want to create a technology company that will ease everyday life, within my community and even lives around the world.

High School: Lowell High School

College: California State University, Fullerton

Area of Study: Business Administration

Career Goal: Own a Business

The choice I made to call CPS took a lot of tears and courage, but it ultimately changed my entire perspective on life. It opened me up to trying new and different experiences. One of the most meaningful achievements that have influenced my educational goals was traveling to a third world country and volunteering by helping build a school for impoverished youth. My passion for helping others has driven me to continue my education, with the hope of one day opening up a program for at risk youth.

College: University of California, Santa Barbara

Area of Study: Computer Engineering

Career Goal: Civil Engineer

As the daughter of two immigrants from El Salvador, I experienced my parents’ struggle first hand. I acquired skills I would not have learned elsewhere at a very young age. After school, my dad and I fixed everything from cars to vacuum cleaners and I loved it. I became a problem solver, developing my skills year after year. Today, my dream job would be to work for Engineers Without Borders to do work that matters.

College: San Francisco State University

Area of Study: Marine Biology

Career Goal: Marine Biologist

My most meaningful achievement was participating in my science program at UCSF last summer. This program was meaningful to me because it helped me decide what I want to do in college. I know that college is more academically challenging, and I know I will have to study every day. Even after I graduate from college, these lessons will help me in my career because I know by working hard, I can be successful in the field of marine biology and make significant contributions to the world of science.

College: Tulane University

Area of Study: Sociology

Career Goal: Counselor, Child Development

As a teenager in the San Francisco’s Bayview District, I saw that drugs and violence were a constant part of life, and it felt like my mental and physical safety was always under threat. My self-taught perseverance will keep me striving and wanting more than what I see in my neighborhood. I want to be able to come back to my neighborhood and contribute to make it a safer environment for future kids so that they won’t experience the stories of violence and inability but only hear of them.

School of the Arts High School

Central School of Speech and Drama

Major: Theater

Shakara is currently studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.  Shakara was one of two American students chosen to attend Central from the graduating class of 2012.

Balboa High School

University of California at Davis

Major: Sociology and International Relations

“I am currently wrapping up my last week studying abroad at Peking University and will be participating in the UC Davis Washington Program as an intern for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  I am super excited for what the future has in store for me!” – Victoria Chan