Meet the FirstGen Class of 2026

Congratulations to the 12 graduating seniors from our FirstGen College Counseling program!

These talented students have worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals and become the first generation in their families to attend university. Over the last four years of high school, they have balanced rigorous academics with responsibilities at home, navigated complex systems and supported one another along the way. Now they stand at the threshold of a new chapter filled with possibility.

Wherever they are headed, all our FirstGen graduates should know that our whole community is cheering them on. We are so proud of who they are and all they will continue to become!

Kathleen Casero Arriaga
Woodbury University

From an early age, Kathleen knew she wanted to become an architect. During high school, she was able to further explore that career. She participated in the University of Massachusetts Amherst Sustainability and Building Lab and interned with local architect Kenneth P. Munson. She took part in TeenNat at Pepperwood Preserve, and also completed a year-long program with Sonoma Land Trust, where her team conducted fieldwork and authored their own scientific paper. She is grateful to FirstGen not only for supporting her academic and career goals, but also for equipping her parents with knowledge about higher education and the application process.

Carla Barriga Vázquez
Sonoma State University

Carla says her biggest motivation to succeed is her family, who always encourage her to strive for more and accept new opportunities and challenges that come her way. During her time in FirstGen, she attended the Syracuse University Summer College Program and participated in Rotary’s leadership camp at Westminster Woods. While she initially struggled transitioning from junior high to high school, she says that FirstGen has offered her support and opportunities that have impacted her life and truly prepared her for college.

Alexa Cervantes
Chico State University

First inspired by what she saw of campus life in movies, Alexa always knew she wanted to go to college. Since no one else in her family was familiar with the college application process, she says, being a part of the FirstGen program gave her the guidance she needed. She’s worked hard throughout high school to achieve her goals and to make her parents proud, while staying grounded in her own sense of purpose. “My dad always told me I was doing this for myself and not for them,” Alexa shares, “and that stuck with me when I had to push myself.”

Anette Dehesa Patino
San José State University

As part of FirstGen, Anette attended the Syracuse University Summer College Program for Environmental and Interior Design, which she says helped her decide what kind of college environment she wanted to be a part of. She also says she really valued the one-on-one sessions with College & Career Prep Program Manager Bianca Calderón working on her college applications. In addition to FirstGen, Anette also participated in ¡DALE!, the youth empowerment program with On the Margins, and danced ballet folklórico. After college, her ultimate goal is to become a dermatologist.

Alejandro Díaz Cano
UC Davis

While staying focused on his academics, Alejandro also competed in wrestling and participated in FFA all four years of high school. Through FFA, he raised rabbits and goats and learned welding. He also completed a marine biology internship through UC Davis. Through FirstGen, he attended three pre-college summer programs, including Cal Poly’s Engineering Possibilities in College, Rotary’s summer leadership camp and UC Berkeley’s engineering program. Alejandro shares that his biggest motivation has always been the example set by his hardworking family, and that he is grateful for the encouragement he’s received both at home and through the FirstGen program as he pursued his goals.

Yuliza Flores Rodriguez
Grand Canyon University

During high school, Yuliza completed summer programs through Harvard University and Stanford University where she studied anatomy and cardiology and learned to suture wounds. Together with her junior year internship at Healdsburg Hospital, these experiences confirmed her interest in medicine. She now plans to study nursing in college.

Lourdes Mejia Garcia
San Francisco State University

Lourdes has known since freshman year of high school that she wanted to attend college. She loved drawing and creating buildings and worlds within video games and now plans to study interior design and architecture. The FirstGen program believed in her potential even when she doubted it, she says, and that helped her trust that she belonged in college. She attended Cal Poly’s Engineering Possibilities in College summer program, which introduced her to dorm life, as well as construction and mechatronics classes. Her biggest motivation, she says, is being a good role model for her younger sister.

Jonathan Meza Ledesma
Sonoma State University

During high school, Jonathan balanced academics, athletics, and community involvement, participating in football, wrestling, FirstGen, Upward Bound, DALE, 10,000 Degrees, and MAYO Club. Football played a particularly meaningful role in shaping his resilience, discipline and character. Through FirstGen, he attended Cal Poly’s Engineering Possibilities in College summer program and Bucknell University’s Engineering Camp. A hands-on automotive class his freshman year cemented his passion for working on cars and inspired his dream to design and develop new, innovative cars in the future.

Eva Fernanda Nuñez Perez
San Diego State University

Eva participated in a variety of programs and leadership opportunities, including the Healdsburg Regional Library’s Book Buddies program, The Bishop’s Ranch Read Camp, ¡DALE!, Upward Bound at Sonoma State University and 10,000 Degrees. She is also currently interning with the Sonoma County Bar Association, translating between Spanish and English for clients. Being a part of FirstGen has been one of the most meaningful experiences for her, she says, building her confidence and readiness for college. Ultimately, Eva plans to become an immigration attorney, inspired by her immigrant parents and community.

Anifer Rescaivo Piedra
University of San Francisco

Anifer says she has always wanted to go to college to honor the hard work of her family and the sacrifices they have made for her. Throughout high school, she has balanced many responsibilities, including academics, work, volunteering, internships and clubs. The Ethnic Studies club was especially meaningful to her, she says, because it gave her the opportunity to support her community and help immigrant families during difficult times. FirstGen provided her with support and guidance, helping her understand her options, stay on track and remain confident that higher education was in her future.

Lilianna Reyes Hernández
Sonoma State University

At Healdsburg High, Lilliana played soccer and participated in Skills USA. She also attended Syracuse University’s pre-college summer program and Rotary’s summer leadership camp. Both experiences were key, she says, to teaching her how to be self-sufficient, manage her own time and get to know and work with new people. Her biggest motivation is to find success in a career that she loves. While she may have had disadvantages as the first generation in her family to attend college, she believes that the FirstGen program helped her overcome those barriers with guidance, opportunities and the unwavering support of College & Career Prep Program Manager Bianca Calderón.

Julia Antonia Vega Gallardo
UC Berkeley

Julia has found that in school and life, you only get out of it what you put in. She was very involved in a wide range of extracurriculars during her high school years, but she says she was most impacted by her participation in ¡DALE!, the youth empowerment program with On the Margins, and Sonoma Land Trust’s Conservation Council, both programs that she says have helped her grow and become who she is today. Through it all, she has been inspired by her parents who have worked so hard to support her, she says, and always raised her to lead with her heart.

Thank you to the many individuals, organizations and businesses whose belief in our students and support of the FirstGen College Counseling program continue to open doors and unlock opportunity.

Aja Walter | Alan Cohen | Barbara Epstein | Diane Johnson | Eileen Gittins | Front Porch Farm | Healdsburg Kiwanis | Healdsburg Regional Library | Healdsburg Starbucks | Healdsburg Unified School District | Johnson Scholarship Foundation | Karen Davis | Lola’s Market | Los Cien | Kimball Foundation | Margoes Foundation | Mombo’s Pizza | Peter Haas Jr. | Rotary Club of Healdsburg Noon | Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise | Sharon Wood | Sonoma State University