2023 Alexx Flores Opportunity Scholars
We are excited to announce our third class of scholarship recipients! Each member of this year’s Opportunity Scholars cohort displays grit and determination and has managed to gain acceptance into some of the best universities in the country, despite tremendous challenges. The acceptance rate for this year’s application was just under 5%.
Nohemi Hernandez
Nohemi Hernandez graduated from DRAV Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy and is currently a student at the University of California, Berkeley majoring in architecture. Nohemi believes that architecture, especially in neglected communities like hers, can impact the mindset of those residents. Therefore, she is working to improve her city in terms of its sustainability by leading the C5 Environmental Justice service project, being her high school’s former Recycling Club president, and by advocating for environmental justice through the Boys and Girls Club of LA Harbor. Nohemi has been widely committed to the Boys and Girls Club through her Keystone and College Bound involvement to receive support and guidance as a first-generation student on the college process and the encouragement to keep going through higher education to accomplish her dreams of becoming an architect. She wants to create spaces to support the Latinx community while fighting environmental injustice for communities to live in spaces that feel like home and are safe. With every achievement Nohemi earns, she becomes both self-aware of her own capabilities and filled with gratitude towards her community and their support.
Emily Rodriguez
My name is Emily Rodriguez and I am the class of 2023 of Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy. While getting my high school diploma I have also received my A.A degree from Harbor Community College. Some of my hobbies are playing soccer, crocheting, and long rides. I grew up in a single parent household practically my whole life and moved from living with both my parents to my grandma from time to time. Also growing up in a low income household I never thought I’d get the chance to go to college. But I got a part time job my sophomore year of High School at Panera and became team-lead. I even became captain of my schools varsity soccer team. Now I’ll be continuing my journey at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. I am excited to start taking step towards my future career which is becoming a physician assistant so I am majoring in biological sciences. Some of my goals are creating better study habits, finding balance between school and social life, meeting new people, and overall making the best of my college experience.
Michelle Mendoza
Michelle Mendoza graduated from El Monte High School and for the fall semester will join UC Santa Cruz. She has been living in the United States for four years. This scholarship will be a support for her to pursue a higher education since her parents are living in Mexico. She is still undecided about what to major in. UC Santa Cruz is the college she will attend and she hopes to find her right major to follow.