Testimonials | edenvale

No one in my family had ever been to college. The Adopt-A-College Program was a big motivator for me. It taught me to never stop believing.

--Daniel Lopez

The Adopt-A-College Program motivated me to acquire a higher education. I recently graduated from the UC Riverside and am currently a pre-med student at San Francisco State University.

Thank you.

--Julie Ngoc Thai, 2008

Growing up in the Edenvale community was tough. I could easily have dropped out and gotten into trouble. Instead, I was introduced to the Adopt-A-College Program. The Adopt-A-College Scholarship was my first and other followed. Thanks to Edenvale, I have a BA from UCLA and MA from Columbia University.

--Shannon Lightner, 2008

A Poem by Anna Olagues

Edenvale Alumna

I am from Dogaway

I am from Roeder and Azucar

I am from the house with the big tree and the big cyclone fence

I am from big dreams

I am from a first generation political refugees

I am from a mother who spoke no English

I am from AA meetings

I am from a very close and loving family

I am from the rat ivy,

I am from the haunted oak tree

And the pirate ship

I am from the little yellow line up feet

I am from ”that” math group and ”that” reading group

I am knowing neither Spanish nor English

I am confusion

And being held back in first grade

I am from our application letter

From the box full of shirts

And that first response letter

I am from big dreams

I am from the San Jose State fieldtrip

I am from knowing my major and minor in fourth grade

I am from knowing

I am from Davis Junior High and Oak Grove

I am from San Jose State

I am from San Jose State with a bachelor degree

From UC Davis with a teaching credential

And from a Master’s Degree in Education with a 3.9

I am from Harmon Johnson Elementary School

I am from frustration

Achievements

And wanting the best for my students

I am from I am going to college

I am from nobody can do everything

Everyone can do something

And together we accomplish amazing things

The Adopt-A-College Program was the spark that ignited the fire in me to want to go to college. The promise of a scholarship showed me that people believed in me and helped me believe in myselft. As a result, I worked hard in school and was able to graduate from Stanford University.

--Raymond Belarmino

I am going to college because I want to set a good example for my younger siblings and family members. I want them to look up to me and set a goal for themselves and go to college too. As a lawyer, I plan to go back to the islands of American Samoa and help my people.

--Anau Faleo

When I was in elementary school, writing to colleges and getting letters back was cool. The Adopt-A-College Program really encouraged me to stay in high school. I used the scholarship to attend Sequoia Technical Institute. I graduated from Sequoia in fourteen months with full auto technician certification. I now have a good paying job.

Adopt-A-College

at Edenvale Elementary School

Thank you

for all of your continued support!

"No one can do everything. Everyone can do something.

Working together, we accomplish absolutely amazing things!"

The Adopt-A-College Program was the spark that ignited the fire in me to want to go to college. The promise of a scholarship showed me that people believed in me and helped me believe in myselft. As a result, I worked hard in school and was able to graduate from Stanford University.

--Raymond Belarmino

I am going to college because I want to set a good example for my younger siblings and family members. I want them to look up to me and set a goal for themselves and go to college too. As a lawyer, I plan to go back to the islands of American Samoa and help my people.

--Anau Faleo

--T.J. Robbins