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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cJunior year is when you are supposed to start looking at colleges and majors, and at the time, I hadn\u2019t even started,\u201d he recalls. \u201cMy parents didn\u2019t go to college so they couldn\u2019t help me. I just didn\u2019t have the money to go to a four-year college.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some SDA participants are not only the first in their family to go to college, but the first to graduate high school. For Jose, SDA filled a difficult gap in family knowledge and resources. He met and formed relationships with higher education administrators, and learned skills for writing his college application essays. He says this intensive preparation made a critical difference in his educational trajectory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jose recalls, \u201cAt first, like me, Jeysner didn\u2019t have the money to go to the school of his choice. He would ask me what scholarships I applied for, and how I did it.\u201d At the SDA celebration Jose heard some good news, \u201cHe ended up getting enough financial aid to go to a university that would let him study a program specifically for animals,\u201d since Jeysner is passionate about studying zoology and conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jose is intent on sharing his journey of success with his younger counterparts. Asked how he feels when spending time with younger classes of SDA, he says, \u201cI am glad to see that they are reaching out, being involved. I am hoping that they strive for greatness. If they want to be a lawyer, or a doctor they can do that too, with the right mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The legacy I want to leave behind is that they can do whatever they want with work ethic, and passion.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
For Jose, it is his gratitude for the presence and valuable help from SDA staff, as well as the bonds formed with his fellow SDA classmates that motivates him to return to give back to the program. \u201cA lot of us would say that [SDA] was more like a family,\u201d he insists. \u201cWhen I was applying to different universities, Hispanic Alliance staff did so much for me \u2013 they were always saying \u2018if you need help or money for textbooks let us know.\u2019 They were coming to us, and seeking us out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a rising Sophomore at Clemson, Jose is majoring in Language and International Health, and is on the pre-med track. He spends time mentoring younger minority students towards college, giving his time to make sure they have the same positive influences and role models that he enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jose is just one link in a strengthening chain of Hispanic leaders, who are achieving their dreams and reaching back to ensure that the encouragement and upward momentum never fails for the generations following them. He has already comprehended the importance of his role as a mentor and trailblazer in the Hispanic community, and is well on his way to a legacy of leadership worth following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Jose and Jeysner become the first in many spheres, they will certainly not be the last.\u00a0They have unleashed a wave of change and hope for the future, and with your help, the Hispanic Alliance family is ensuring their momentum grows.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n