BREAKING BARRIERS FOR EASTSIDERS
BREAKING BARRIERS FOR EASTSIDERS
By Marjean Diaz Becceril, Xiomara Martinez, Thong Vang
The east side has historically been home to generations of Latinx/Chicanx families who have emigrated from various parts of Latin America in hopes of receiving a better education for their children. Each year, thousands of students graduate from East Side Unified School District with the goal of attaining a college degree. However, first-generation college students are at a disadvantage when it comes to the knowledge and/or support to navigate higher education. Even so, students like Damaris can harvest the benefits of their parents’ sacrifices. Damaris says, “My parents were both born in Mexico and crossed the border so their kids could have a better future. They had to leave everything behind, and I saw them struggle financially while I was growing up, but they always managed to provide for our family. I owe it all to my parents. It was my parent’s support that got me through my academic journey.”
“...first-generation college students are at a disadvantage when it comes to the knowledge and/or support to navigate higher education.”
Damaris Getsemani Velasco Cortez grew up on the Eastside and graduated from Apollo High School in 2018. Although high school was challenging, her school counselor and parents encouraged her to go to college. She decided to attend San José City College (SJCC) because of the San José Promise program that offers free tuition and books. Damaris says, “I felt really connected to the campus community when I joined Summer Bridge which helped prepare me to navigate college. As a first-generation college student, I was also a part of EOP&S (Extended Opportunity Programs & Services), Metas, AASAP (Asian American Student Accelerated Program), and the Career/Transfer Center. These support programs helped me transfer and graduate on time. I decided to pursue my major because I want to become an Academic Counselor. Similar to my EOP&S Counselor, I want to inspire others to achieve their academic goals and pursue their careers.
“She decided to attend San José City College (SJCC) because of the San José Promise program that offers free tuition and books.”
In 2020 Damaris earned an Associate of Arts–Transfer degree in Sociology from SJCC and transferred to San José State University. In 2022, she successfully earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus in Community Change. Currently, she is now giving back to the community as a Behavior Interventionist at ACE Charter School. In her role, she works with autistic children and adults, helping them develop behavioral, social, and speech skills. In reflecting on her journey, Damaris shares, “One piece of advice I would give to other Eastriders is to find hope and purpose in your struggle.” Resilient stories, like Damaris’, continue to leave a blueprint of success for other students from the east side to pursue college.
“One piece of advice I would give to other Eastriders is to find hope and purpose in your struggle.”