Sunday, October 26, 2008

Local students help others reach education dreams

Cesar Juarez rides the bus to school like so many college students — head against the glass, earphones streaming down his olive jacket, eyes straight ahead.

The 22-year-old was a full-time student until this semester, when he and his family discovered they were facing possible foreclosure on their San Jose home. That reality has left him a part-time student this semester, but the situation doesn't dampen his spirits.

Juarez keeps a positive outlook because he focuses every day on being a student and helping others realize their educational dreams.

"Education and studying is essential," he says, "but you have to practice what you preach."

Juarez is working toward a degree in social science, hoping he might work as a teacher when he's finished.

During the day, Juarez attends his 100W writing class and takes in his history courses. Outside of class, Juarez keeps his iPhone glued to his side, organizing rallies, helping raise scholarship money for others and coordinating outreach to high school students as the community liaison for the Student Advocates for Higher Education at San Jose State University. He is also one of two representatives for the Northern California region of the California DREAM Network, a statewide network of 12 college campus organizations that address the issues of students like himself, who are in the United States illegally.

To read the whole article, click here

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