Commencement speaker finds second chance for opportunity at Foothill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the right support, students at Foothill College become the people they want to be. Keila Escobedo

found that out when she first stepped onto campus. Now she is transferring to UCLA, where she plans to

major in sociology.

Keila and her family left Mexico for the U.S. when she was two to pursue educational opportunities. She’s resided in East San Jose since then. In high school, Keila didn’t have any plans to attend college. She wasn’t even sure if she would graduate. Then, a mentor convinced her to visit

Foothill.

“I didn’t think it was going to work because I couldn’t afford it and I am undocumented, but we went anyway,” Keila said. “Finding out that I would have so much support was eye-opening.”

Keila has worked in the campus financial aid office, joined Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and the Puente Learning Community, participated in the Social Justice Project, and was active in the Community Ambassadors Program.

“This was my second chance to do well, and I did really well,” Keila said, adding that she plans to keep the momentum going when she attends UCLA this summer. “I really became something. I matured here at Foothill.”

Keila hopes to motivate students just like her mentor did for her. She thanks her family, friends and Foothill community for the endless support and her “second chance.”