Living on a street that shares its name with a notorious local gang, Santos Penaflor keeps out of trouble by focusing on academics, soccer, and volunteering at the Crown Heights Resource Center. Santos attends Oceanside High School where he is active in the AVID program and challenges himself with AP classes, maintaining a GPA of 3.12. The oldest of 4, Santos recognizes that he is a role model for his younger siblings, and encourages them daily to work hard in school. When his father was diagnosed with cancer, Santos had to step up and assume responsibility at a young age. The experience made him a much stronger person. “I had to be the man of the house,” Santos said. “I couldn’t show weakness even though I had pressure, because my little brother and little sisters looked up to me – and they still do.” Santos will be the first in his family to graduate high school and plans to attend UCLA and earn a degree in Agricultural Engineering. His AVID teacher said that Santos “is respected by both his peers and teachers. He is always polite, conscientious and respectful. He would walk into my classroom every day with a positive attitude and a desire to learn.” His Civics Leadership Program leader said that while “the odds are against Santos succeeding, because of the neighborhood’s gang influence, Santos is determined to beat the odds and make a difference in the children he mentors on a daily basis.” Santos looks forward to helping the Simon Family Foundation change the lives of other struggling students who are motivated to improve their futures.

When Marienel-Jesica Pili was only 9 years old, her family immigrated to the USA from the Philippines. “There were so many new things to learn,” she said, “a new culture, a new language, and a new lifestyle.” Despite often being treated with ridicule while learning to speak fluent English, Marienel persevered. “Learning English was not my goal,” she recalled. “I considered it more of a necessity after moving to my new home, the USA. This new home would be the instrument for me to reach my goal to enter a four-year university and become an accountant.” With an impressive 3.89 GPA, Marienel has received many academic honors including the Gerard Prep certification. When Marienel was in her sophomore year at Oceanside High School, she started the Asian Club on campus, and she welcomes any student’s participation in this club regardless of ethnicity. Marienel credits her parents’ support for giving her the strength to work hard and excel in both her academics and extracurricular activities. “Education is something that no one can take away from you,” she said. “In order to get the best education, I must have the virtues of faith, patience and responsibility.” Her AVID teacher said that she believes she knows Marienel very well, but “I would never have known that she is a second-language learner. She is extremely hard working, always challenging herself by taking Advanced Placement courses, singing with her church’s choir and volunteering.” Her Chemistry teacher agreed, stating that Marienel’s hero is Manny Pacquiao, the boxing champion. He went on to add, “I am sure that Marienel will show the same determination to succeed in the classroom that Manny has shown in the boxing ring.”

Ruby Vasquez missed a lot of school as a young child. Between hospital visits for acute asthma and the overwhelming instability that envelops a child whose parents have had serious drug addictions, Ruby knew she was behind her fellow students academically. When she found herself living in and out of various foster homes and, later, her grandparent’s home, she recognized an important truth. “Even when my family life seems to be coming apart,” she said, “I cope with all my difficulties by talking with friends and counselors.” With an intense drive to succeed, Ruby challenged herself daily to make up missing ground. She soon succeeded and currently maintains an impressive 3.65 GPA as a Junior at Oceanside High School. Her Physics teacher said that Ruby “has positive values and priorities in life. When issues come up that she is uncomfortable with, she stands up for what is right.” The Senior Clerk at OHS agreed, saying that “Ruby is funny and kind, a gentle soul that loves everyone. She always takes the high road and does her best. She is truly an amazing girl.” Ruby has a natural gift for Math and plans to earn a Math and Business degree from a 4-year university. As she looks forward to a promising future, Ruby has put the dark days of the past behind her, looking to create stability in her own family life. “One of my life goals,” she said, “is to get married and have children.” With the Simon Family Foundation behind her, there’s no stopping her from achieving her dreams.