THe 1st gen project

The Vision

Welcome to 1st Gen Lions, your digital hub for celebrating and supporting the First-Generation College Experience.

As pioneers in their families, first-generation college students embark on a transformative journey that transcends academic achievement--blazing new paths and breaking generational cycles.

Our platform is dedicated to illuminating the unique challenges, triumphs, and invaluable perspectives of these trailblazers.

Whether you're a first-gen student navigating uncharted territory, an ally offering support, or a curious visitor seeking insight, join us in exploring the rich tapestry of stories, resources, and community empowerment that define the first-gen college experience.

Join us as we explore the triumphs, setbacks, and resilience of first-gen students, shedding light on their diverse experiences and the invaluable insights they offer. Through candid stories, expert insights, and supportive resources, we aim to foster understanding, solidarity, and empowerment within the first-generation college community and beyond.

Staff Survey

This project is important for us mainly because we will contain data that will help us understand the first-generation experience. For these new generations it is important, because it is something new for them and consists of a new horizon, new ideas, new opportunities, new actions, and all this is connected to new ways of getting help and giving help to those who feel identified with us.

This survey will help you learn more about how to get help and how to know how each of our school members has overcome all these difficulties that we may be going through. We will have the opportunity to identify with each other as many of them have established patterns that helped them progress on this hard journey.

In the same way, this survey will help us demonstrate how we can obtain a new opportunity and teach.

Always keep in mind that we can achieve whatever we set out to do because that is our legacy, to be a different first generation full of strength and wisdom.

Staff Participants

Ms. Capelli, social Science Teacher

Mrs. MacDonald, English Teacher

Mrs. Silva, Counselor

Ms. Gonzalez, College and Career Center Technician

Ms. Rodriguez, English Teacher

Mrs. Drief, Spanish Teacher

Mr. Ybarra, Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Osborn, Math Teacher

Mrs. Elizondo, Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Busch, English Teacher

Mrs. Fernandez, Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Magana, COunselor

12 Staff Members Responded

This is of importance to us because

in addition to being first-gen college graduates, 4 of our respondents are also 1st gen Americans. This tells us that they were met additional complications as they and their families were learning to navigate several different systems and cultures simultaneously.

Motivation

10 staff members completed their undergraduate degrees at public universities while 2 completed at private institutions. two of them started their studies at a Los Medanos Community College.

Real Testimonies

About Us

The Founding Class

Mrs. Elizabeth Gonzalez, a 15-year veteran teacher, is not only a first generation college graduate, but also a first generation Mexicana-Americana. Mrs. G, as she is affectionately known to her students, teaches ERWC (12th grade English), English Language Development to Emerging Bilingual/Multilingual students, and EL PUSH--the founding class of this 1st-gen project. Mrs. G enjoys working with her students to discover their passions and be relentless in their pursuit of their American dream. FUN FACT: she has an addition to Red Bulls and listens to Mexican corridos on her way to school.

Samuel C, 17 years old, was born in Havana, Cuba. He studies at Liberty High School as a Junior and works part-time. At the age of 16 he participated as a forward on the Liberty Soccer team. He wants to attend school and take part in society as part of the Los Angeles police force. Today he studies programming and hopes to continue advancing in that science. Samuel C, 17 years old, was born in Havana, Cuba. He studies at Liberty High School as a Junior and works part-time. At the age of 16 he participated as a forward on the Liberty Soccer team. He wants to attend school and take part in society as part of the Los Angeles police force. Today he studies programming and hopes to continue advancing in that science.

Evans Pineda, a 18 years Honduran, wants to have his own company and wants to become a Industrial engineer, he likes to share time with his family and his friendships.

Nubia the girl of "gold" is a graduating student for class 2024. She was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco (Zapopan) donde es la cuidad del mariachi. Her goals is to go to Los Medanos and obtain her AA in fire science and become a firefighter. She is set to leave a footprint by giving back to the community where she has lived her whole life. Fun Fact: She loves her dog Simba and is the oldest out of three younger brothers.

Ali Eren Olgun is 17, he is from Mersin/Türkiye, and in 11th grade. He wants to study Computer Science at UC Berkeley. He likes play soccer, watch TV Show, listen to Hip/Hop music.

Veronica Yolanda Vargas is a 16 years old currently a Junior at Liberty High School, she is from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico but she born in Modesto, CA, her parents are immigrants and they came here to U.S.A. to give their daughter and little brother a better life, they came a year ago and she has been learning English for about 1 year and 6 months. Her goal is to be a successful architect and create her own cement company. FUN FACT: She is a workaholic.

Ryan is a 12th grade, 2024 gradating and 17 years old. He was born in Philippines, and studies at Liberty High School. He likes participating in tournament of online game tournament named “Mobile Legends”. He is also bilingual speaks 2 languages in Philippines and speak English. FUN FACT: He likes energy drinks even though he can’t sleep at night.

Rocco Petri, he is 17 years old and an Argentinian guy , he likes to play basketball and play videogames, and he will be an early graduate, Class of 2025.