| SACRAMENTO -- Two years ago, Luis Jiménez made a firm commitment to continue his professional studies when he graduated from high school. In exchange, he got a promise that he'd be accepted to college.
Jiménez is one of the 12,000 students throughout California who have benefited from the Save Me a Spot in College program, which takes a pledge from students to continue their studies after high school and in return has the state set aside places for them at university.
"I signed this agreement when I had just started at Modesto High School, and now I'm ready to start college, where I'll have a guaranteed place," said Jiménez, one of 250 students who went to the Capitol last week to take part in a rally that honored program participants and awarded scholarships. |
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 Students were rewarded for their
outstanding achievements during
a rally at the State Capitol
last week. (Vida staff photo) | |
In addition to having his college admission assured, Jiménez, originally from Colima, México, got a $1,000 scholarship -- also part of the program -- to begin his studies at Modesto Junior College, where he plans to study sound engineering.
"This is a good thing about the program that they not only save a space at college but they also give you money to start your career, which is very motivating," said Jiménez, 17.
The requirement Jiménez had to meet was simple: present an essay to his class about why he wanted to continue his studies through college, and make a firm commitment that when he finished high school he would, in fact, go to college.
The program is based on the notion that all students have the same opportunity to go to college or university, regardless of their socio-economic level, race, religion or immigration status.
The students who attended the Capitol event also had another objective: to support legislation that would give them more benefits for attending college.
When he learned about the success of the program, state Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, introduced SB 890. The Early Commitment to College bill seeks to educate young people about how to get into college and how to pay for it.
"This proposal will give students the opportunity to be better prepared to attend college and at the same time will encourage their interest in continuing their studies," said Scott during the scholarship awards ceremony.
He added that the proposal has already been approved by the Appropriations Committee and will now be introduced in the Senate, where it has good prospects for being ratified.
One of the major advantages of this initiative is that the cost is relatively low, $125,000, compared to the millions of dollars the state spends on education, said Scott.
Abdi Soltani, one of the founders of Save Me a Spot in College, said the program's intention is to give students a voice in the legislature, to let their petitions and demands be heard.
"Young students have never had a voice in California politics, and with this program we want to support them in expressing their needs and desires for their future," Soltani said.
He added that because they have a voice in the legislature, young people should become more interested in their education and this will lead to an increase in the number of students graduating from college or university, which would greatly benefit the state economy.
According to statistics, only 43 percent of California high school graduates go to college or university, which compares poorly to other states like New York, where the percentage is 68 percent.
"We need to make changes in our state, changes that let young people achieve their dreams. You are the hope for changing our society into a better place to live. Never give up," said Anthony Monreal, deputy superintendent of the California Department of Education.
Assemblymember Kevin de León, D-Los Ángeles, shared with the young people his own example of how someone from a family of limited financial resources can get ahead in spite of all the obstacles.
"My history is like millions of young people in the state. I come from a low-income family. My mother cleaned houses, and with great sacrifice I was able to move forward and I did, which is why I urge you all to push ahead; if I could do it, so can you," he said.
De León added that all high school graduates have the same chance to go to college because, by California law, they have a right to education regardless of their immigration status, the neighborhood where they live or the color of their skin.
"You deserve to go to college or university. You have the right to choose a career and become an important part of the solution to society's problems. Remember that you are the future of this state and of the nation," said De León.
