Josè Luis Vallejo: Success Stories 2004
YALE UNIVERSITY
Major
Economics
Acceptances
Stanford University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
Alma mater
The Bishop's School
Highlight
BLCI Ambassador: Denver Chamber of Commerce; UK Council of Education
Senior Chair, The Bishop's School Disciplinary Committee
Vice President, Spanish Honor Society
Josè's Story
1996: It was six o'clock, and that meant that BLCI’s program was about to end for the day.
Mr. Galindo, our founding director, walked to the center of the room.
He did at the end of every session.
"WHO'S GOING TO COLLEGE?" he cried.
"WE ARE!" we screamed, jumping in the air with smiles on our faces.
Hope in Barrio Logan
In a neighborhood where poverty makes crime and gang membership seem like the only options, BLCI gives hope to low-income students who are willing to learn.
BLCI has not only provided me with a facility and the resources for my academic success – it has also inspired my life.
Seeing a group of motivated college graduates come together to establish a program like this gives me hope.
I have always looked up to these strong men and women willing to sacrifice their own time to motivate underprivileged students.
Though they all had the college degrees to get high paying jobs, they preferred to help kids get ahead in life.
Many times, when I needed to finish a paper, the coordinators were more than happy to stay longer than intended.
Sometimes, that meant staying until midnight.
BLCI Legacy
This made me reflect on my own life.
One evening, after finishing my work, I decided to help one of my younger friends, Gerardo.
Gerardo's assignment was to write about his field trip to Old Town, where he had learned about the thirteen colonies.
Unfortunately, he could not remember what they were!
I grabbed a marker, walked up to the white board, and began to draw the boarders that framed the United States, outlining each of the colonies.
Gerardo seemed confused, but as I read the names of each of the colonies out loud, he remembered what he had learned on his trip.
"This is why the BLCI staff is so passionate about what they do!" I thought.
Because of my experience at BLCI, I hope that one day I too can be an inspiration to those less fortunate.
I hope I can help them realize that there is nothing greater than the wonders uncovered by an individual who loves to learn.