success stories - ARCHIVE

Maricruz Alvarado
Eastside class of 2005
Mills College class of 2009
(profiled in 2008)

Maricruz's favorite memories of Eastside are simple, but so common among Eastside alumni.  Her favorite nights consisted of staying on campus late with her best friends sharing private jokes.  Maricruz didn't stay late just because it was fun, but also because living with a big family meant it was difficult to find a quiet corner to study in.  She now appreciates the quiet space Eastside provided for her and her friends.  She also mentions her gratitude for being challenged during the day in Jen's College Readiness class.  It was in College Readiness that Jen helped Maricruz increase her vocabulary and prepare for college. Her late nights working hard paid off with not only an acceptance to Mills, but also an institutional scholarship from Mills due to her academic achievements.

Maricruz was drawn to Mills because of the focus on equality and small, intimate classroom discussions. It was also close to home, which meant she would still be close to her tight knit family. Talking with Maricruz one learns early on just how important family is to her.  During her first semester at college Maricruz learned there was no space or organization for mothers at Mills. Being the trailblazer that she is, Maricruz established the first mothers club on campus.  Since its inception, the club has steadily grown, acquiring its own space on campus, and voting Maricruz the chapter president.  The club has also encouraged Mills to begin collecting data on how many mothers are in attendance at Mills, allowing the college to better serve their students with families.

Something else you learn quickly after meeting Maricruz is her love for science.  She is a declared biology major who dreams of working at a hospital or in a lab researching cures to diseases.  She'll graduate in June 2009 a degree in biology, and having created increased opportunities for mothers on campus.  Her words of advice to those who are struggling to reach their goals, "work hard, don't give up if you really enjoy doing something, even if you struggle in the beginning, keep thinking about your future and I know you'll get there." 

 

Dallas teo
Eastside class of 2005
stanford class of 2009
(profiled in 2008)

Although Dallas Teo graduated from Eastside in 2005, he continues to have a huge impact on current Eastside students.  Whether it is through participating in alumni panels, teaching classes on campus, or simply having small conversations in the hallway, Dallas has become one of the most passionate and reliable advocates for his alma mater.  He credits this willingness to help out when called upon to his positive experience while attending Eastside.

The first time Dallas remembers hearing about Eastside was when Eastside faculty member Shaneka Julian walked into his middle school classroom to inform students about the opportunities at Eastside.  Like several of the students in his eighth grade class, Dallas had his eyes set on college, but no idea how to get there. He knew his chances of going to a great university would be greatly increased by attending a rigorous high school, but didn't want to burden his parents with the tuition bill at a private school in the area.  So, when Shaneka walked into his 8th grade class that day, she said everything Dallas needed to hear.  He was convinced Eastside was for him and now says applying to Eastside was the best decision he ever made. Eastside not only provided a direct path to college, but also the resources and guidance he needed as a first generation college student. Dallas' favorite memory of Eastside took place in social studies class during a debate on affirmative action, "I remember realizing that if you work hard enough you deserve to be there."  Dallas definitely worked hard and earned a well deserved spot at Stanford University in the fall of 2005.
 
It was at Eastside that Dallas found his love for literature and reading, but at Stanford where he solidified his passion for creative writing.  Dallas is now a senior and majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. He shared his knowledge and passion with current Eastside students when he taught creative writing at Eastside in the summer of 2008.

His senior year finds Dallas busier than ever and committed to maintaining a stellar GPA. Among his activities: Dallas is an active member of the Hawaii Club, coordinator for Project Write, and the Teen Program Leader at the East Palo Alto YMCA. Dallas also leads another program for local youth, Youth and Government at the YMCA.  While maintaining this schedule and a full load at Stanford, Dallas isn't complaining, "I know what it's like to not have help and students just don't know how to ask for the help."  Realizing that everyone must do their part in order to create change and reach out to youth in need, Dallas says, "I believe it all starts with our mentality. If students can't get over the mentality that education is not a priority then the prospects of our city won't be that promising and that's what I aim to do, change that mentality."

In 2009 Dallas will graduate from Stanford University and be the first college graduate in his family.  He plans to teach and inspire youth in his community.