Jose Cardenas
graduated 2016
from Sacramento State
Jose graduated Fall 2016 from CSU Sacramento with his degree in Criminal Justice.
I would like to offer my deepest appreciation towards this program that has allowed me to grow and to succeed. It was only with the hard work on both ends that I am standing here before you as a college graduate. Your faith was not misplaced and I truly cannot express the gratitude that I feel in words, even so I would like to say thank you for this opportunity and I hope that the foundation’s reach continues to grow because for every story like mine there are countless others who could, - no, should be heard. It would be an honor to continue to succeed in the name of this organization and as an individual; I am forever grateful and would love nothing more than to be successful in life and give back to a community and organization that has given so much to me.
A college degree to me means so much more than another step to a career. Coming from such humble beginnings college was always a goal, but one that always seemed just out of reach. I grew to accept that completing college was possible but not expected from someone like me. After all I am an individual from a minority group and come from an underprivileged home; however, I could not find it acceptable to settle and squander the opportunities that I knew were there to be taken. My family shared this view and was as supportive as they could be always pushing me to do my best and it was with this that I knew the opportunities would follow. It was with dedication and the confidence instilled upon me by a wonderful teacher during my freshman year of high school that I applied to this outstanding program with the hope that I could impress enough to be chosen as a recipient of this scholarship. To my shock I was admitted and entered this program that would grow to become a family. I am happy to know I fulfilled the goal of both myself and the program; I earned a college degree and it feels awesome to say that.
Of course completing my degree was not without its difficulties. I faced many of the same issues that all contemporary students suffer: impacted majors, full classes, balancing class schedules with work, completing assignments, parking… Even so I knew I had such a strong support network behind me that I could not possibly fail whatever the case may have been. I faced personal adversity that I am proud to say I have overcome, and even though it was stressful at times I knew I had nothing less than their full support. If anything these pressures served as motivators to try even harder and as the end was almost in sight I grew proud to know the hard work, late nights, early mornings, and long days were soon to be transformed into a magnificent reward. As I stood in line to be called up at graduation I could not help but feel, excited, fulfilled, relived, and a bit tired (as to be expected of an early morning graduation). When I accepted my reward and headed back to my seat I could only liken the feeling to a dream, to finally be done and to have done it with the help of my family, friends, peers, and of course this organization. Finishing my undergraduate studies was just the beginning as you may know I plan on going to law school within the coming years.
2010 - Jose's high school accomplishments
Jose Cardenas is very strong in academics, holding a 4.0 GPA at Hiram Johnson High School. He hopes to attend UC Davis or CSU Sacramento, starting the in fall of 2012. Originally, he planned to study business and or law, with expectations of graduate school for either. More recently, he added an additional aspiration to possibly also pursue graphic design or visual communications. Jose is a polite and well spoken young man who seeks out school leadership opportunities. At his previous high school, Genesis Charter (which is now closed) he was in Junior ROTC, at this new campus - he found a similar route of helping younger students through California Cadet Corps. He shared the following, detailing his involvement and accomplishments: "We taught the six Cadet Corps objectives which are leadership, citizenship, patriotism, academic excellence, military knowledge, and health fitness and wellness. The Cadet Corps has a system where higher-ranking high school cadets serve on a staff that runs the unit, handles all logistics, and organizes the daily schedule. I was the unit's personnel and administration officer. We as a unit participated in the Veterans' Day parade, Color Guards, and us high school cadets went through Teen CERT and Hunters Safety. We would go on camping trips and teach the middle school students basic first aid and basic survival training. We would also did school and community service. We went to brigade and state level leadership schools and competitions."
Devonna Johnson-Curry
graduated 2017
from CSU Long Beach
Devonna graduated in Spring 2017 from CSU Long Beach with a degree in Health Care Administration.
"Earning this college degree meant everything to me and my family. I am extremely proud to say that I attended California state University Long Beach and earned a degree in Healthcare Administration. Obtaining this goal was a difficult journey but I wouldn't have changed it for anything.Everyone should know that college is a different route for each and every person. I personally had full time jobs and attended school full time. This is an extremely heavy load and can cause an enormous amount of stress and pressure but I survived, I took care of myself and most importantly I did it, I graduated. What I gained from this experience is that this was the route that was going to help me persevere and become a stronger person because of it and I am truly grateful "
When Devonna attended CSU Long Beach, she was actively involved in the CSU Educational Opportunity Program. Getting to college was a struggle for Devonna, but not academically - she excelled in high school and had several college offers from which to choose. Her struggle was that she is an 'independent' student with great financial need. Not having contact with her parents and no legal guardian, she had to annually to jump through extra hoops to simply be qualified for financial aid. During the summer before each new year in college, Future Sacramento staff helped her navigate the confusing college funding process. Devonna rose to the occasion by learning the process, taking responsibility and meeting all the requirements. There were several stumbles, but thanks to supportive mentoring and advocacy, she succeeded. "Future Sacramento has helped me in numerous ways,” says scholarship recipient, DeVonna. “They have helped me mentally prepare for college, to know what to do, what to look for, and how to get the most out of my college experience. Having a mentor to check in with is also a good feeling because they keep you on the right track."
"I appreciate the Future Foundation for creating opportunities for a person like me to be able to go to college. I know the foundation will continue to help people in need of obtaining higher education and I would like to continue the legacy by one day being in a position to give back to this foundation that helped me succeed. Thank you to everyone who helped support my journey."
Shaniqua Archie
graduated 2017
from Cal State LA
Shaniqa graduated from CSULA Spring of 2017, earning her degree in Sociology with a minor in Pan-African Studies.
When Shaniqua moved into her dorm as a freshman at Cal State Los Angeles, she beat the odds for college access. The oldest of five children from a low-income family, she questioned how she would pay for college. She was committed to becoming the first person in her family to graduate college, but she had to overcome several challenges. As a scholarship candidate, she could rely on the Future Sacramento for support. Her mentor sat with her as she filled out her student aid application, made sense of financial aid grants, wrote a letter of recommendation, and prepared a dorm packing list.
Before starting classes, foundation staff ensured she had a computer, course textbooks, and that her scholarship and financial aid were funded. Her enrollment was just the beginning. By realizing the promise of accessing college, she learned that with the support of the Future Sacramento she could reach her goal of a college degree.
Many students face similar situations as Shaniqua, but unlike her – too often first-generation low-income students have more questions than support on the path to college.
Eden Joshua Racket
graduated 2016
from University of Chicago
Eden graduated from University of Chicago with his baccalaureate degree, Spring 2016.
Eden originally entered college as a Pre-Medical student, then graduated as a double major in English and Medieval Studies with a focus on Old English poetry and literature. Eden earned "Special Honors in English" with this degree. He eventually hopes to continue on this track and work towards a Ph.D. in the field.
Right out of college, Eden spent some time abroad on an archaeological dig. Next he was employed with a marketing firm and then moved on to become a legal writing specialist with an immigration law group. His role is writing the recommendations for visa applicants being brought in by universities and large companies.
In his 3rd year - Eden shared these thoughts:
When you enter college there's a certain overwhelming quality to the whole thing. In high school you get to choose electives and therefore have some sense that your education is in your hands. In college, you realize that this is not true in the least. It's no longer choosing electives, every class is completely up to you. So when I was accepted into the University of Chicago I did what I had always told everybody that I would do - I became a premed. I am extremely appreciative of the science background that I now have. As a current English major I definitely have a much more in-depth understanding of chemistry and biology than most of my classmates. However, I would not consider myself passionate in these areas. Instead, I was took a class in Old English. Knowing three other languages already, this was and is one of the most difficult that I have ever dealt with, and yet it only adds more depth and beauty to the poetry that takes this language on. Furthermore, the culture that created these works fascinates me. It is something that no longer exists anywhere in the world, a fascinating system of society. For my future plans, after college I would definitely like to take some time off of school after college. I have considered signing up to an archaeological dig or teach English abroad. Perhaps I'll end up in graduate school later on and become an eminent Anglo-Saxonist. Now, for the first time, the decision is mine. It doesn't even matter so much to me what that decision ends up being, only that I have a chance to direct my own life going forward and to continue learning in the way that I see fit.
Right out of college, Eden spent some time abroad on an archaeological dig. Next he was employed with a marketing firm and then moved on to become a legal writing specialist with an immigration law group. His role is writing the recommendations for visa applicants being brought in by universities and large companies.
Eden shared with us how it felt to be a college graduate:
Though nobody ever questioned the fact that after high school I should attend college, how that was going to happen was a problem that seemed impossible to address. College was not only unaffordable – I would be one of the first members of my family ever to attend, making the entire process from touring to applications an unfamiliar challenge. It wasn’t until Future Sacramento reached out that college seemed an attainable goal.
We were immediately given access not only to a generous stipend that could be put towards the cost of a university education but, perhaps even more importantly, an experienced group of people who were willing to advocate for me and my education, guiding me through the countless processes and procedures necessary to get admitted to a college. Future Sacramento gave me and my family the tools necessary to open the world of opportunities that become available with a college degree.
Because of the extensive help that I received with financial aid applications, I was able to graduate debt free. Beyond that, attending the University of Chicago introduced me to a diverse range of subjects to which I’d never been exposed. Without the opportunities provided by Future Sacramento I wouldn’t even know that this were an option, let alone that it was one I would find appealing.
The application process was, however, only the first hurdle in many hurdles one faces when college is so unfamiliar. Though I had always excelled in high school, the leap from a public school with relatively low expectations to the University of Chicago was unexpectedly challenging. It was the first time that studying meant anything more than glancing over the textbook before a test. Though it quickly became apparent that I was going to have to transform the way that I approached education if I was to succeed, I never found myself feeling as though that success was unattainable. A whole network of people had believed so much in my ability to do well in college that they had committed countless hours and dollars to making sure that I had the opportunity to do so. If this many people believed that I could succeed than I knew that, whether it felt possible or not, I could.
Clearly, Future Sacramento has had a profound effect on the route that my life has taken after high school. Even now, as I take time off from school to work in Chicago, I am reminded of how grateful I am for the opportunities they have afforded me. I am more financially secure than ever before and look forward to the opportunity to help both myself and my family.
2011 - Eden Racket, was a senior at El Camino High School. Eden demonstrated academic excellence throughout high school. He completed six Advancement Placement (AP) courses, speaks three languages, volunteered on the school radio program - all while maintaining a 4.3 GPA. Eden also received very high scores on his PSAT and SAT exam, an astonishing achievement! His goal is to obtain a pre-med undergraduate degree and then pursue medical school to become an emergency room doctor. He was accepted by a handful of very impressive universities, and in March was thrilled to receive acceptance into the University of Chicago. He declared his intent to enroll and enthusiastically made plans to make the move out of state. The university provided Eden substantial funding and he accepted federal aid in the form of grants, however his family still has unmet need - which the Future Sacramento scholarship will fulfill. By providing him this scholarship, this allowed Eden the opportunity to reach his dream of attending one of his favorite colleges.
Future Foundation of Sacramento
PO Box 9
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741