Gianna Goethe
graduated 2018
from CSU Sacramento
& Cosumnes River College
Gianna graduated from CSU Sacramento with her B.S. in Business, she additionally earned her Associate of Science degree in Computer Science from Cosumnes River College.
Gianna participated in an internship scholarship program through a VSP and Future Sacramento partnership. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work for VSP because I've learned a lot of new skills, learned about myself, and met a ton of awesome people.” The opportunity to work while studying allowed her to expand her understanding and skills in business strategies, how to work within professional teams, experiences with business processes, and hands on business projects. With the approval of her VSP manager, Gianna additionally secured a summer internship with Deloitte as a Business Technology Analyst (BTA) for the summer before her final year in college. As a college graduate with both impressive academic performance and work experience, she had no problem finding post college employment. Gianna was hired as an Application Programmer with Advanced Business Integrator in Sacramento, CA. She recently returned to work for VSP again in 2020.
Throughout her schooling, Gianna has always been a well-rounded student with extracurricular activities and employment.
Gianna is an academically committed and well rounded young woman. In high school she was involved in basketball, volleyball, crafts, music, and student government. She realized her potential in high school, excelling in courses such as Pre-Calculus as a sophomore. "I don't want to work a job I dislike just to get by. Instead, I'd like to continue my education and enable myself to pursue a career I'm passionate about...I know it will be difficult to break the cycle, but I am determined to do so," said Gianna, "I want to able to say that I followed my dreams and encourage other kids like me not to give up."
Gianna reached college admission, but even took that beyond by seeking to form her own program of study from two campuses. Gianna was concurrently enrolled at both Sacramento State to earn her Baccalaureate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems (MIS), as well as being enrolled at Cosumnes River College to work towards earning her Associate of Science degree in Computer Science.
Continuing with her focus on being academically committed, she regularly earned a spot on the CSUS Dean's Honor List. She is also still well-rounded with extracurricular activities, working with the Sac State radio station and student leadership. During the Fall 2016 semester, Gianna became the Loud Rock Music Director at KSSU and the Vice President of the Management Information Systems Association.
Aime Millan
graduated 2017
from UC Davis
Gianna graduated from CSU Sacramento with her B.S. in Business, she additionally earned her Associate of Science degree in Computer Science from Cosumnes River College.
Aime graduated from UC Davis at the end of Fall 2017 term. Aime completed a double major in International Relations and Spanish. During college, she worked as a Spanish tutor and document translator.
Both of my parents come from humble backgrounds, but they never lost hope that their efforts would one day pave way for a better future. They did not seek an “easier” future. If there was one thing they made clear to us it was that only those things that cost us tears, great fear, and effort are worthy of pride. My parents strived to teach us the value of hard work. From going with our father to the watermelon patch to pick watermelons to sell, to raking leaves and picking up branches at my father’s side jobs. My mother also taught us from the house to be helpful, hardworking and perseverance. My parents demonstrated through their work that one does not require only talent or luck to achieve a goal, it is the time that is dedicated and the courage one has to take risks that ultimately leads one to the desired objective. Being awarded this scholarship changed the way I saw higher education. What I had seen as unreachable was now becoming reachable. With the guidance of mentors and Elizabeth Marlow, I graduated high school and soon after enrolled at the University of California Davis. I felt like I could take it all on- as I had in high school. My ranking was in the top 10 of my high school class. I earned a weighted GPA of 4.0 - with several AP classes , and passed the SAT Subject test for Spanish language. I maintained a dual academic track of both rigorous college preparatory classes and "Career Technical Education (CTE)" classes. I felt I was prepared and ready for the challenge! But I really had no clue. I thought this will be piece of cake. Freshman year began, I was no longer walking through the halls of my small high school, I held tight to my campus map and wandered around hoping to find each class. The year passed by and I was beginning to get the hang of it, however, academically I was a disaster. I found it hard to accept that I didn’t know what I was doing, and that I needed to ask for help. I didn’t know what I wanted to study and the courses I registered for reflected that. I continued with my search, one day envisioning myself as an Engineer, the next as an Economist.
This is a universal struggle for first generation college students. We face the challenge of college with two obstacles - our parents know not how to guide us through education they did not receive and we lack the awareness that it is ok to ask for help, that asking for help does not mean me we are failing or that we do not belong in college
There was one moment, in particular, during these last four years, that I will never forget. It was during my 2nd year at UC Davis, it had been a long day, three finals one after the other. I had arrived home after being stuck in traffic for three hours. I was in academic probation from my academic stumbles my first year. I felt exhaustion. I felt anger. I felt that the hours I was dedicating were not bearing fruit. I walked into my family's home to see my parents and I couldn’t help but cry. Fear invaded me. I thought to myself, "How could it be that after my parents dedicated so many years to their children and our education that now I wasn’t going to be able to show them that it had all been worth it." My parents looked at me and said “Your efforts will yield rewards at the end of the day, today is just another test.” That night I realized a lesson... Its not about feeling invincible, or feeling like you can defeat it all. I learned the things that we’re working towards and that stand in front of us - our goals, our dreams - those are the only things that are changeable.
Five majors and only four years, I went from having a GPA of 1.8 freshman year to a 3.0. Despite the obstacles, sleepless nights, and temporary feelings of desperation - I wouldn’t change anything about my last four years. Each failure, opened my eyes to new teachings and contributed to my personal growth. Being a part of Future Sacramento has only enhanced my entire experience. Not only did this scholarship take stress off my family's shoulders economically, but it showed me, all of us scholarship recipients, that more than getting us into college Future Sacramento is committed to helping us through it… Whether it was a phone call, an email, or a group meeting - Elizabeth and the Board of Directors always ensured we felt their full support. I stand here today with my heart full of joy and appreciation. Joy to see that there are so many people looking out for us…Believing in us constantly… Supporting us at every moment.
Thank you for supporting the mission of this program and most importantly for believing in higher education... It is thanks to people like you that we get closer to our goals every day.
Roma Saeed
graduated 2017
from UC Davis
Roma graduated from UC Davis at the end of Fall 2017 term, earning her degree in Civil Engineering.
During her time in college, she built work experience in her field through internship and student positions with Synectics, Molecular Matrix Inc., and currently Caltrans.
"More than removing the burden of not being able to afford college, it's that I get to be a part of something bigger than me," says Roma Saeed, high school senior. "Future Sacramento allowed my education and future to be unlimited and for that I am forever grateful."
This is her student story...
From the moment I stepped off the airplane and arrived in America, 13 years ago, my life has been in a constant struggle between varying cultures. My family had not just seen, first hand, but personally experienced low poverty. Coming from a country where education held little value was the type of narrow minded mentality that I had to haul myself away from if I wanted to make my aspirations unlimited. My perception was always different than that of others because I was a foreigner to the country. Coming from an obscure country like Pakistan, being in America suddenly made me feel very small. But I knew that I had to make this journey worth it; my experience here had to be worth the expense of leaving my family behind. Caught in the middle of two varying cultures, to varying mindsets, I am awarded with the best of both worlds. Luckily for me, I can pinpoint the exact moment that my future was written.
On Thursday, June 3, 2010, I was congratulated for being selected by Future Sacramento for their elite scholarship program. Being that I was from a limited background, this newfound opportunity was beyond anything I could ever imagine. Coming from a financially unstable background to having my education paid for, is a monumental alteration in my life that I never envisioned possible. Having Grant Napear, the broadcaster for Sacramento Kings, acknowledge during my scholarship interview, “You speak better English than I do, and I speak for a living” is the sum of my complete and utter gratification.
Tyler Naso
graduated 2017
from Cal Poly
Tyler Naso graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo , Spring 2017. Our 10th college graduate!
Tyler began at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a student of Construction Management, after careful consideration he changed his major to Recreation, Parks, And Tourism Administration with a concentration in Sport Management. Showing his determination for his new major, he successfully completed perquisite courses as application for the major before being admitted into the program. Tyler also secured an internship position with sports radio host CJ Silas on ESPN Radio in San Luis Obispo. Throughout the summer, he completed a final project for his graduation requirement, a 10-week internship/full-time job where he worked as a full-time Account Executive for the Sacramento Kings for their development league team, the Reno Bighorns. After he completed his final project, he returned to Sacramento to pursue his postgraduate career. As a scholarship recipient, Tyler reached both goals of earning his degree and building work experience.
Future Foundation of Sacramento
PO Box 9
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741