Hundreds of students have been awarded Grove Scholarships. Read on
for a sampling of their success stories.
Grove Scholar Monica Arguelles - Dental Assistant
Monica
Arguelles While a student at Wilcox High School, Monica Arguelles was struggling with her career choice. One day, she saw a flier for a dental assistant program at Foothill College and decided that "this [career] was so it for me!" It appealed to her for a number of reasons, including that it she could work with kids, do something she would enjoy, and focus her studies while in school. She attended the program at Foothill with support from a Grove Scholarship and also capitalized on the Grove Scholarship program’s $500 stipends for career-related internships – furthering her job experience in dentist offices and also working at UCSF’s dental school. Her final internship was in a pediatric dental office – where she loved her work and was extended an offer to become a part of the staff as a dental assistant. All that stood between Monica and realizing her career dream was passing her two California State Board Exams. She passed with flying colors! She is now a registered dental assistant with x-ray and coronal polishing licenses. Looking back on her experience she says “Without [the Grove Scholarship] I don't think it would have been as easy as it was for me to find this great career. It gave me the option to further my dreams and goals in life. And although my goals were kind of shaky at first, I did know that I wanted to be somebody and make something of myself and the Grove Scholarship gave me that option.”
Grove Scholar Michelle Barros - Nurse
Michelle
Barros graduated from Andrew Hill High School in 2001. Her interest in the nursing field dates back to her childhood in the Philippines. Michelle used to help care for her diabetic grandmother, including picking herbs on her way to school that she used to treat her grandmother’s wounds. Michelle moved to San Jose, California when she was 12 years old. While attending Andrew Hill High School, she continued to believe she wanted to become a nurse. She applied for and won a Grove Scholarship, which launched her into her nursing education. Michelle took classes at Evergreen College and at Mission College before landing at a new college in the area – St. Francis Career College in San Jose. After 15 months of hard work and very focused study, she graduated from St. Francis in January 2005 and is now studying for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) – the final step in being qualified to work as a nurse. Reflecting on her journey so far, Michelle says that the Grove Scholarship was critical to helping her advance toward her dreams. All of Michelle’s hard work is about to pay off.
Grove Scholar Eddie Campos - Chef
Eddie
Campos graduated from Wilcox High School in 2000. At Wilcox,
he participated in the culinary program under Ms. Kelly Villareal's
guidance. Eddie was getting calls from military recruiters to
join the service when he got news of receiving the Grove Foundation
School-to-Career Scholarship. The scholarship changed Eddie's
life! Eddie was able to put a down payment on his enrollment at the California
Culinary Academy in San Francisco. He enrolled in the 16-month
chef program and was the youngest person in his class. He worked
throughout his schooling as a line cook, and in the kitchens of restaurants
throughout the Bay Area. Because he worked on a summer job
along his career path, he received the Grove Scholarship summer stipend
of $500. Eddie graduated December 3, 2001, and was working as a paid
Chef/kitchen manager intern only 3 days later. Eddie continues
to be a success in the kitchen and an inspiration to aspiring young
chefs everywhere.
Grove Scholar Sandra Ferreira - Nurse
Sandra Ferreira graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2001 with honors. A top math and science student, she graduated with a cumulative 3.9 GPA and knew she wanted to become a nurse. Her inspiration came from having spent her own childhood caring for a family member who has diabetes. This experience led to her curiosity about the human body and medical advances – and to her desire to dedicate her career to caring for patients. Sandra attended a nursing orientation summer school class at De Anza and went on to take all of the prerequisites. She applied to De Anza’s nursing program, was accepted, and graduated in December 2004. She passed her nursing exam in March and landed a job as a nurse for surgical and pediatric services at El Camino Hospital. She says that the key to her success was finding a career path that she enjoys. Sandra “truly loves to care for her patients in the hospital – and addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of their care.” Sandra’s advice to students wanting to go into the medical profession? “Spend time with a health professional and ask a lot of questions. It is a very demanding job emotionally and physically. You have to love your job to be good at it.”
Grove Scholar Priscilla Garcia - Preschool Teacher
Priscilla Garcia graduated from Oak Grove High School in 2002. While in high school, Priscilla often cared for her cousins and also volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club. In so doing, she realized she had a passion and a talent for working with children and set her sights on becoming a preschool teacher. She won a Grove Scholarship and registered at De Anza College to study child development. Priscilla is finishing up at De Anza and already has a job in downtown San Jose working as an associate teacher at Estrella Family Services. In her job, Priscilla works with kindergartners, first graders, and second graders to enhance their school readiness through after school care activities. “I love working with the kids,” says Priscilla. “It’s so rewarding to see them grow up, learn, and do better in school.”
Grove Scholar Emily Johnson - Hair Stylist
Emily
Johnson graduated from Oak Grove High School in 2002. She heard about the Grove Scholarship Program from Joyce Coburn, Director of Oak Grove’s Travel and Tourism Academy. Emily had always enjoyed hair and makeup and decided to turn her talents into a career. She applied for and won a scholarship to attend the cosmetology program at San Jose City College. While in school, she took advantage of the Grove Scholars summer stipend – receiving $500 per summer for internships at Lancome and at a hair salon. Upon finishing her career program, Emily landed a job at City Savvy Salon & Spa in Campbell. Emily loves her job as a hair stylist and says that her Grove Scholarship “inspired me to pursue my interests and begin a career.” Emily’s experience shows how, with some hard work, a passion can become success story.
Grove Scholar Adrian Serrano - Information Technology Specialist
Adrian Serrano heard about the Grove Scholars program in his electronics class when he was a senior at Silver Creek High School. He had good grades in computers and a personal interest in technology, and decided to try to win a scholarship to study IT. He was selected to be a Grove Scholar and, almost immediately after his high school graduation in June of 2001, he enrolled in an 18-month, intensive program at Heald College in San Jose/Milpitas. He enjoyed the program at Heald, which he found to be focused, fast-paced and hands-on. He graduated with an A.S. in December, 2002 and launched his career right away by taking a job as a game tester for Sony. This job led to a position at Hudson, where he worked for 1 ½ years and received three rapid promotions. Continuing to move up his career ladder, Adrian has relocated to Los Angeles to work as a quality assurance manager in the mobile division of Square-Enix. Adrian credits his postsecondary education for his success. “If I didn’t go to college, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now – naming my salary and negotiating benefits. I can afford to be on my own at age 22, and definitely feel ahead of the game.” As a bonus, he loves what he does. Adrian has some advice for high school students who are considering their options: “Go immediately to [postsecondary] school – don’t take a break after high school. You need that degree to prove you are capable to go beyond what others can do. And don’t give up. It’s hard work but the payoff is worth it.”
Grove Scholar Keith Zimbauer - Auto Technician
Keith Zimbauer graduated from Wilcox High School in 1999. He was lauded
by Larry Baumann, the Auto teacher at Wilcox, as being the “best all-around
student I have ever had in 32 years of teaching.” Keith won a Grove
Scholarship and attended De Anza College where he earned three Auto
Technology certificates. While in college, he also worked at Campbell
Auto Restoration. Keith continues to work part-time at Campbell Auto
and is also now teaching Auto Tech at De Anza. In his free time, Keith
still helps out at Wilcox and also works on his friends' cars. Keith
is a success story not only because of his own achievements, but because
he now teaches and mentors Grove Scholars who are up-and-coming in the
Auto field. Kudos, Keith!
