FirstGen College Counseling

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Research from the Department of Education cites that over 60% of the first-gen college student population are Latino and come from lower-income households than their peers. Nearly 50% are more likely to enroll in two-year college than four-year institutions. At Corazón, we saw this happening in our community so we created FirstGen College Counseling to help students from Healdsburg High who will be the first in their family to attend a four-year college.

Led by Dr. Lori Rhodes, FirstGen prepares historically underserved high school students to gain admission to four-year colleges. Starting in 9thgrade, students get comprehensive one-on-one support through the entire college application process. Collaborating with school counselors and other college access partners, FirstGen works with students and their families to help them navigate the often complicated and overwhelming college application process.

FirstGen partners with Corazón Healdsburg’s Resource Center to support and educate parents through bi-monthly potluck dinners. Speakers are brought in to discuss topics such as financial planning for college and address concerns about students moving far from home.

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FirstGen program director Dr. Lori Rhodes has more than 20 years experience in education, teaching students from kindergarten to graduate school. Dr. Rhodes is currently on the faculty at Sonoma State University in the Education Leadership department and was previously the principal of Healdsburg High School. With a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia University, and an MA in History, and Ph.D. in History of Education from Stanford University, Dr. Rhodes expertise in the field and passion for educational equity makes her a great asset to our program and community.

Giovanna Briano

Giovanna Briano is the daughter of Maria Rodriguez and Cesareo Briano. Giovanna is the first in her family to attend a four-year college. To help her reach her goal, Giovanna participated in AVID all four years at HHS. In 2018, Giovanna was selected to attend Stanford University for eight weeks and take college level courses as part of the prestigious Horizons Scholar Program. Giovanna was the team captain of the HHS softball team and volunteers at non-profits in her free time. In college, she plans to study design and computer science. Giovanna was accepted to: UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Fullerton, and San Diego State University. Giovanna will attend University of California, Davis beginning fall of 2019.

Alondra Chavez Valencia

Alondra Chavez Valencia is the daughter of Juan and Maria Chavez Valencia. Alondra is following in her brothers’ footsteps and being the first generation in her family to attend a four-year college. To help her reach her goal, Alondra participated in AVID all four years at HHS as well as 10,000 Degrees. During the summer of 2018, Alondra was selected to study astrophysics at UC Davis as part of the prestigious COSMOS program. In her free time, Alondra enjoys volunteering, drawing, and spending time with friends. In college she hopes to study astrophysics. Alondra was accepted to: Wellesley College, Ithaca College, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, and Humboldt State University. Alondra will attend Wellesley College, beginning fall of 2019.

Yuliana Gutierrez

Yuliana Gutierrez is the daughter of Mercedes and Jose Gutierrez. She is looking forward to being the first in her family to attend a four-year college. To help her reach her goal, Yuliana participated AVID all four years at HHS. During the summer of 2018, Yuliana was selected to attend a leadership program hosted at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Yuliana plays softball and regularly volunteers in her community. In college, she hopes to study in the field of psychology while focusing on behavior analysis and child development. During her high school career, she has taken the dual enrollment course Child Development at HHS for two years. Yuliana was accepted to: Sonoma State University, St. Mary’s College, Dominican College, University of the Pacific, Notre Dame de Namur University, UC Merced, Sacramento State University, San Jose State University, and CSU East Bay. Yuliana will attend Sonoma State University beginning fall of 2019.

Bersaida Lopez

Bersaida Lopez is the daughter of Carlos and Petronila Lopez. She is the first in her family to attend a four-year college. To help her reach her goal, Bersaida participated in AVID all four years at HHS as well as 10,000 Degrees. Bersaida enjoys drawing, reading, and working. In college, she hopes to study science. Bersaida was accepted to: UC Davis, Mills College, University of San Francisco, Whittier College, California Lutheran University, UC Davis, UC Riverside, Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State University, and CSU Los Angeles. Bersaida will attend University of California, Davis, beginning fall of 2019.

Stephanie Martinez Ruiz

Stephanie Martinez Ruiz is the daughter of Jesus and Rosa Martinez. She is looking forward to following in her sister’s footsteps and being the first generation in her family to attend a four-year college. To help her reach her goal, Stephanie participated in AVID all four years at HHS. Stephanie played softball all four years at HHS. In college, she hopes to study either nursing or education. Stephanie was accepted to: Sacramento State University, Dominican College, UC Santa Cruz, UC Merced, Sonoma State University, San Jose State University, and CSU East Bay. Stephanie will attend Sacramento State University, beginning fall of 2019.

Daniel Lopez Pardo

Daniel Lopez Pardo is the son of Ana and Guadalupe Lopez. Daniel is the first in his family to attend a four-year college directly after high school. To help him reach his goal, Daniel participated in PSST and Academic Talent Search while in high school. During the summer of 2018, Daniel was selected to attend the Summer Experience in Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. Daniel plays soccer and had a breakout out season his senior year, winning defensive player of the year and making the all league team. In college he hopes to study engineering. Daniel was accepted to: UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Oregon State University, San Jose State and Sonoma State University. Daniel will attend University of California, Davis, beginning fall of 2019.

Roman Ortiz

Roman Ortiz is the son of Norma and Adrian Ortiz. He is looking forward to being the first in his family to attend a four-year college after high school. To help him reach his goal, Roman participated in 10,000 Degrees while in high school. During the summer of 2018, Roman was selected to attend the Engineering Possibilities in College Program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Roman played soccer at HHS. In college, he plans to study mechanical engineering. Roman was accepted to: San Jose State University and UC Merced. Roman will attend San Jose State University, beginning fall of 2019.

SUMMER RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES

9th Grade Students

Christian —UCLA Teen Archstudio Design Program
Viviana —Indiana University Journalism Institute
Daniel —COSMOS UC Davis Biophysics & Robotics & South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Robotics Program
Guadalupe —UCSD Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research
Jennifer —Indiana University Indiana University Journalism Institute
Michael — South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Robotics Program
Elina — Sonoma State University Upward Bound

10th Grade Students

Alberto —Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice Program
Angel —COSMOS UC Davis Biophysics & Robotics
Bryant —Oregon State University Engineering Program and Stanford University International Studies
Diana —Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute Introduction to Logic
Edgar —UCLA TeenArch Studio Design Program
Erik —COSMOS UCSD Earthquake Engineering
Hernan —Oregon State University Engineering Program
Jennifer —Bucknell University BASE Program
Mercedes —Bucknell University BASE Program
Nayceht —Oregon State University Engineering Program
Safalta —Oregon State University Engineering Program
Maira —Oregon State University Engineering Program

11th Grade Students

Joana —SRJC Health Academy & St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute
Alejandro —Sacramento State Boys State & Georgetown University Junior State of America & St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute
Jerry —University of South FL STEM for Scholars & St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute
Eva —Bryant University PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Careers Institute
Itzel —Latino Service Providers Promotores Program & St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute
Samantha —Latino Service Providers Promotores Program
Kaela — University of South FL STEM for Scholars & St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute
Mariano — St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute & EdX Calculus B/C Online
Alan — St. Mary’s College 10KD Summer Institute