In my first 3 years of volunteering with Minds Matter Southern California, I was privileged to be a co-mentor to a student named Maritza. To say being one of her mentors throughout her high school years was spectacular and gratifying is definitely an understatement!! I was honored to see her personal growth throughout high school, attend her high school graduation, keep in touch with her throughout her collegiate career and this past June watch her give the undergraduate speech at the Chicanx/Latinx Graduation at UCSB, where she graduated with dual degrees of a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Geography and a B.A. in History of Art and Architecture with an emphasis in Environmental Architecture. She is currently attending Cornell University to obtain her Master’s education in City and Regional Planning. As you can imagine, Maritza continues to inspire me each year and stories like hers keep me involved with the organization. I’m currently in my 5th year serving as a Director of the Summer Programs Team for the Junior Class. I am helping the juniors on their journey to choosing a college summer program that’s right for their future college and potential career aspirations. Minds Matter sophomores and juniors spend time in the winter applying to about 5 college summer programs that spark their interest from a list of about 50 college summer programs. This process not only prepares them for college application time their senior year, it also gives the students a taste of what college life is really like! Your donation could help fund part of their summer program, their transportation for it and/or books/supplies. Thanks for your time in reading this and for your donation!