The power of pulling together: Melissa’s journey
In the bustling heart of the University of Washington, Melissa, a sophomore and Leadership 1000 Scholarship recipient, stands out not only for her academic prowess but for her unshakable determination. It was at the young age of 4 that Melissa set her sights on her dream career of dentistry. And it’s at the University of Washington that Melissa now charts a territory all her own as the first in her family to attend college in the United States.
Born in Yakima and raised in Brazil, Melissa faced the daunting task of acclimating to a new life in the United States when she and her family moved back to Yakima as Melissa entered the seventh grade. Finding herself in an unfamiliar environment and unable to communicate in English, Melissa struggled to get her bearings. “I didn’t know anyone and it was challenging to open up and become friends with people,” Mellisa recalls. “It was very stressful.” Melissa’s remarkable tenacity saw her through eight months of intensive ESL classes through which she learned to speak and write proficiently enough to excel in her classes.
Three years after her family’s move, Melissa’s family dynamics took a significant turn when her parents divorced. As the only child, she assumed greater responsibilities, managing household tasks, scheduling appointments, and providing support to her mother. “My aunt lives in Yakima, and my cousin lives in Seattle, but all the rest of my family, including my dad, is in Brazil,” Melissa explains. “It was really hard for me. My biggest fear was my parents getting divorced. While it was challenging to not have the whole family together, I think being in two different environments actually helped me become more open-minded and learn about how my culture compared to a different one. I had the chance to get the best of both worlds. I’m also really grateful for the opportunity to learn and speak both English and Portuguese fluently.”
Despite the challenges, Melissa found solace in her academic pursuits at A.C. Davis High School in Yakima, where her mother played a pivotal role in keeping Melissa motivated to accomplish great things. “My parents, grandparents and teachers have helped me further my success, but especially my mom,” Melissa notes. “She has always been my biggest supporter and inspiration. She always encourages me to do my best…she has always believed in my dreams and has never told me ‘You are dreaming too big.’”
It was at an all-school assembly that Melissa first learned about CSF. Immediately she knew she had to seize the opportunity. “They would always talk about the [CSF] program at assemblies and I would think ‘Oh I really need to be a part of that,’” Melissa remembers. While family members had attended college, none had applied in the U.S. where the application process is much different.
During her junior year, she was paired with CSF advisor Maria Ureña, who Melissa speaks fondly of as she remembers how available Maria made herself to her students. “Maria was always checking in on me,” Melissa says. “She taught me that I’m capable of a lot more things than I thought I was and especially how to look out for resources. I had no idea how to apply for schools in the U.S. It was completely new to me. I couldn’t have done it without Maria, especially the personal statements and short responses.” Melissa admires Maria deeply for teaching her the ins and outs of the process. With her sights set on dentistry, Melissa knew she would have to be that much more intentional about what classes to take in order to become a competitive candidate. “I didn’t know which classes to take during COVID especially,” Melissa notes. “Maria would advise on my strategy for dental school, which I knew I wanted to do from a young age. It was also very helpful to meet new people and connect with friends through CSF. They had a lot of activity offerings about how to deal with college not just academically but financially and mentally, which is important.”
[Maria] taught me that I’m capable of a lot more things than I thought I was and especially how to look out for resources. I had no idea how to apply for schools in the U.S. It was completely new to me. I couldn’t have done it without Maria.
Melissa
Growing up, Melissa had dreamt of attending Harvard. But little did she know, she would experience a significant perspective shift when considering different schools. Having experienced the jarring transition of immigration at a young age, Melissa knew that coping with change was not her strong suit. She had already come so far in establishing a community in Yakima. And, by attending a college closer to home instead of across the country, she would be able to stay in close proximity to her friends matriculating to the same school. She knew UW had an impressive reputation and particularly appreciated its connection to STEM advancements––an area of academia she knew she’d have to focus on to fulfill her pre-dental requirements. Maria had also been a tremendous help when it came time to apply for scholarships, encouraging Melissa to apply strategically to the CSF Leadership 1000 Scholarship and others. When she was waitlisted at Harvard but accepted early to UW and awarded multiple scholarships, her decision was solidified.
Transitions are never easy. In fact, 10–40% of seemingly college-intending students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, fail to enroll in college the fall after graduation. Before she graduated high school, Maria connected Melissa to a CSF college coach suited to guide her through this crucial season. Enter Rosalynn Guillen. “I knew how important it would be to be a part of CSF at UW,” Melissa recalls. “This is my first time living by myself and professors aren’t connected to students in college like they are in high school. I knew I needed someone in my corner. Having a coach like Rosalynn relieves a lot of stress. I feel more confident about college now.”
Knowing I had her as a resource was so relieving. It’s easy to talk to her. [Rosalynn’s] like a second mom.
Melissa
As anticipated, college life brought a new set of challenges. Living in a small dorm with six roommates and adapting to the rigorous demands of STEM courses for her chemistry major tested Melissa’s resilience. From assistance with FAFSA to counseling on friendships and conflict resolution, Rosalynn became not just a coach but a comforting presence akin to a family member. ”Every time Rosalynn helps me, I get what I need.” Melissa remarks. “Last year, I was struggling with friendships and she provided a lot of advice on what I should do and where I could go to meet new friends through the CSF Club. Knowing I had her as a resource was so relieving. It’s easy to talk to her. She’s like a second mom.” But it wasn’t just interpersonal relationships that Rosalynn helped Melissa with. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d be so lost.” Melissa confesses with tears in her eyes. “Especially with FAFSA. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to receive the scholarships I eventually got and she was confident I would. I trust her completely. I’m just so thankful for her.”
Melissa’s triumphant story is one of cultural adjustments, overcoming language barriers, and the power of pulling together. It takes a team to see our scholars through to success. With the help of a highly supportive family, her CSF high school advisor Maria and her CSF college coach Rosalynn, Melissa continues to thrive academically today, where she has found her passion for chemistry and is actively paving the way for her goal of becoming an orthodontist. “I think I want to go to UW for dental school,” Melissa says. “It would be cool. They have a great program. Even in undergrad, I’ve gotten to dive into dentistry at UW. We had the opportunity to do fillings and drillings on model teeth in a lab. And I was nervous to potentially not like it but I immediately fell in love.”
As Melissa reflects on her journey, she emphasizes the transformative power of education. “I knew I had to be educated to achieve my dream.” She also highlights the importance of seeking help and utilizing available resources. Her advice to current and future CSF Scholars is clear: “Look out for resources. Don’t be scared to ask for help. If you ask for help, you’re going to get the help. It’s a game-changer to ask questions. That little step will unlock bigger steps towards your future.”
There is not such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.
George Shinn
