Feb. 23, 2022
Dear San Benito High School Parents, Students and Community:
San Benito High School is proud of its Migrant Education program, which supports students on their education path through high school and offers resources to help them find success after graduation. Over the past few weeks, I've been proud to share the perspective of various seniors who have worked hard at SBHS to set themselves on a path toward successful careers. We've heard how student-athletes balance academics and athletics, gotten the perspective of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students, many of whom will be the first in their families to pursue higher education; and learned what motivates students in our agricultural program.
Below, we check in with a sampling of this year’s Migrant Education program seniors for their perspective on how and why they succeed academically, as well as what plans they have beyond high school.
Fernando Castillo Guadarrama
Which middle school did you attend?
Rancho San Justo
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
I am mainly motivated by my parents who have always told me that I need to do well academically if I want to ensure myself a good future.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
By providing assistance whenever I needed help with anything that may come up. A great example of this was with my college applications: At first I didn’t really even know where to start but after they helped me with the process I was able to do most of it on my own.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
After high school, I hope to get into a college or university where I’ll be able to study and become an aerospace engineer. Later on in life, I would like to have my own house where I’ll eventually be able to retire.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
I think that the best way to improve their academics is to keep up with their work to avoid having late work build up and to take breaks every once in a while. Burning yourself out will just cause everything else to crumble.
Brian Estrada
Which middle school did you attend?
Rancho San Justo
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
Throughout my academic life, I’ve found motivation and inspiration from so many people: teachers who put in the effort to help their students succeed and have inspired me to believe in myself and to never stop trying. To programs such as Migrant Ed that have helped me through the new and intimidating process of college applications, helping me to stay focused on my goals with help at every corner. Even though my friends and family have motivated me to pursue my true self and reach above and beyond in terms of grades and goals, I feel so grateful to have reached out to others and to have had others show me that I can succeed. And so, I’ll never give up.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
It has been a tremendous and crucial part of my academic success in both high school life and in preparation for college. For various parts of the college process, there have been many sessions available for me to get help starting from the college bootcamps in the summer, to FAFSA and scholarship workshops. I myself have attended many of these and have been able to not only complete these essential steps but also help others on theirs and direct them toward the Migrant office. The Migrant Program has always been there for me and my family, from translating materials to informing us on important details that someone like me, a first-generation student, has greatly benefitted from. The Migrant Program has been one of my greatest resources for help and has become like a second home where I can interact with many other students set on different paths but coming from similar backgrounds.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
My post high-school goals would be to attend a four-year university pursuing my major of interest, nursing so that after a hard but rewarding education, I can become a registered nurse in a hospital setting. While I know that this specific career is rigorous and expensive, I know that I can make my goals a reality with the information that I’ve gathered from many sources, specifically financially, applying for FAFSA, and to as many scholarships as I possibly can. However long, challenging, and expensive this road may take, I know that once I’m a nurse, I can act on my true nature and care for others in need with the skills I’ve learned.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
From my entire high school and college preparation experience, the best piece of advice that I can give to other students would be to simply reach out and ask for help. Whether it’s clarification on a simple problem or getting help filling out your college applications, asking for help is what I consider to be the best for me. I think teachers and others know me as someone who constantly asks for help, and I have no shame about it, because whether it's a simple or complicated question, everything helps. I personally couldn’t have imagined going through high school without asking questions, and I end up learning a lot more. That’s the best advice I can give.
Wendy Huerta
Which middle school did you attend?
San Ardo Joint Middle School
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
That nice feeling of successfully getting through academic challenges allows me to move onto the next with the support of close friends.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
The Migrant Program was great to make sure I had full support and guidance allowing me to get further academically than I would’ve gotten without it.
What are your future goals, post-high school and beyond?
Achieving a higher education to further grow my skills and find a fitting place for me beyond high school is what I hope to accomplish after graduation.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
I found it’s best to discover your own personal way of learning and applying the same effort of self care and mental health to the way of learning.
Francisco Lezama
Which middle school did you attend?
Escuela Secundaria Técnica No. 2, Guanajuato, México
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
My family motivates me, even though I don’t see them because they live in Mexico. I also love to learn new things even when they are challenging.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
In so many ways. Being new to this school system has been difficult but they have guided me academically and even with sports. They also helped me with university applications and the financial aid application. They follow up with me to make sure I’m making good progress.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
I want to improve my academic English. My goal is to go to a university and study international business or physical therapy. I also want to continue playing basketball in college. I hope to earn a scholarship so that I don’t burden my family with college expenses.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
Focus on your goal and be ready to work hard and even make changes so that you achieve your goals.
Gabriella Lopez
Which middle school did you attend?
Shaffer Elementary School
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
A significant factor is the genuine desire to make my family proud and pay back the unreserved support and encouragement they've given me.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
I have received lots of help navigating the college application process.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
I'd like to attend a private university and pursue a career which I'll enjoy!
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
Apply yourself, take advantage of your resources and try not to procrastinate.
Christian Mercado
Which middle school did you attend?
McKinley Institute of Technology in Redwood City.
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
I think something that motivates me to succeed academically is knowing that it's rewarded. I know that if I do well in school, I get accepted into good universities and not only that but I get scholarships and money for doing well in school, so that's something that I've always kept in mind.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
The Migrant program has helped me a lot during my time at SBHS. Recently it has helped me with college via the Migrant Education College Bootcamp program last summer, and college application/scholarship workshops during the school year. I also got my first job as a tutor because of the Migrant Program. I've also participated in a speech competition thanks to the Migrant Program, which has greatly helped my public speaking abilities.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
After high school, I want to go to a four-year university to study finance. After graduating from university, I'd like to start a career in investment banking or at a hedge fund.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
I'd say the best way to succeed in high school is to try not to leave things for the last second. I've been trying to fix this myself during high school because I've found that the quality of my work increases when I have more time to work on it. I've also found that it's less stressful to do my work with sufficient time, as opposed to rushing my work trying to beat the deadline.
Jesse Preciado
Which middle school did you attend?
Hollister Dual Language Academy. Go Jaguars!
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
What inspires me the most to succeed not only academically but in life is how humble people I look up to in life, like my mom, continue to push even through the most intense hardships. I enjoy learning experiences and the usage of creativity from a variety of cultures, sexualities, genders, and racial identities. And I find these stories in every corner of my life; whether it be motifs in the music I listen to to push me everyday or meeting a new classmate who confidently expresses who they are through their outfits and kind gestures. Because of these stories, I push myself with my academic potential to eventually be able to share my own experience and inspire others to reach their dreams.
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
The SBHS Migrant Program has blessed me in a variety of ways. Firstly, the Migrant Program guided my Spanish-speaking family with understanding the American pathway to college, that being required high school credits, AP classes, FASFA, college applications, and scholarships. The program was also able to financially support me with school supplies, after-school snacks, and paying for my AP Exams that will provide college credit. I have even created close bonds with students in the program who I found share the same interests. I am very grateful for the existence of the Migrant Program for these reasons.
What are your future goals, post high-school and beyond?
My future goals, post high-school and beyond are evolving every day. I am determined to attend one of my top UC choices (Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, or Berkeley) to study computer science. I have developed goals to possibly minor in music theory, perfect bass guitar and start a band in college. I plan on publicizing videography passion projects on Youtube, adopt a tabby cat and name them "Kurt." Raising money with various part-time jobs will prove to be vital for these goals. And eventually, I would like to work in the music streaming industry (Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Music) to build radio and playlist algorithms. I am still very young and growing every day. These goals may change and I might find new passions in the future. One future aspect I am certain is to repay those in my life who are supporting my upbringing. I am very grateful for this current position in life and I invite any of these possibilities with open arms.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
If I can give one piece of advice to students to help improve their success in high school is to realize that you have the potential to do anything. If a teacher, classmate, or anyone including yourself has ever doubted your ability; prove them wrong. I started high school believing that I would always be nothing more than an all-C's student with no significance in life for not having any aspirations. I was lucky enough to be pushed by my peers, parents, and teachers who told me I had potential. And I hope every student on campus realizes they have potential. It can begin with actually starting late homework; to actually want to learn; to find your passion in the opportunities given by the high school. The ability to improve academically and succeed in high school is found in your own drive.
Andrea Ramirez
Which middle school did you attend?
I attended Rancho San Justo Middle school.
What motivates or inspires you to succeed academically?
Something that motivates me to succeed academically is making my parents proud so that every time they see me they are proud to say "yeah, that's my daughter."
How has SBHS's Migrant Program benefited you in high school?
The Migrant Program is a place where I feel safe asking for help. All the ladies are very nice and are always there for all the students. They helped me so much with my struggles in my college applications and FAFSA. The migrant program is full of opportunities and support for Latinos like me.
What are your future goals, post-high school and beyond?
After high school, I want to study in the medical field. Hopefully, graduate and help people around the world.
What advice do you have for other students to improve their academics and succeed in high school?
I would want students to not procrastinate and do things while they have time. I say follow your dreams because if you work hard they will come true. Also set future goals and always take advantage of every good opportunity given to you.
San Benito High School is proud of our Migant Education Program, including the hard-working students and supportive faculty and staff, all of whom work together to help students work toward and achieve their academic goals. They are truly examples that every day is a great day to be a Baler!
Sincerely,
San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum