Escalera Spotlight --Valentin Jimenez

Author:	NCLR
Date:	May 25, 2004
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Topic:	Employment and Economic Opportunities
Program:	NCLR Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success
Region:	California - Los Angeles

Summary

Valentin Jimenez, an alumni of Garfield High School and a graduate from the first class of Escalera students tells his experience in the project.

Description

The Escalera Project had a big impact on Valentin Jimenez, who started with the first class in 1999. During his time at Garfield High School, he was involved in track and field, cross-country running, and the California Scholarship Federation and Early Academic Outreach. In addition, he demonstrated his dedication to the community by volunteering his time at a local church as a first communion instructor and assisting with a local campaign. The Escalera Project taught him the skills necessary to make college a reality. He said, “The project was my counselor, my guidance, and my light. They helped me with everything including scholarships, schoolwork, and personal issues.” He also wrote about his new leadership skills he learned, “Escalera has taught me immense leadership skills. They have taught me how to be outspoken and make sure that that my ideas are being heard.”

Valentin is currently a freshman at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he earned a full scholarship. He plans to major in Spanish or Psychology. In the future, Valentin would like to counsel high school students.