When Kiara Sautia was 5 years old, her parents divorced. At the time, she didn’t know what to feel. It was only later that she began to understand how hard her single-parent mom struggled to make ends meet and care for her 5 children. “Money always seemed tight,” she said, “and we moved to different places – three different houses, two apartment complexes, family members’ houses, and for even a hotel for awhile. I knew this wasn’t how everyone else lived.” Kiara has no time for self pity though. Intending to enter the teaching profession, she is looking to attend UC Irvine or UCSD. She plays basketball for the OHS team, and donates her time to help teach basketball at the local community center. Her Math teacher describes Kiara as “one of the most driven, dedicated students I have met.” Her English teacher concurred, stating that Kiara has a unique ability “to walk on campus and leave all of her problems behind her. She understands that higher education is where she is headed and will be the first in her family to go to college.” Kiara is a member of Girard Prep, and with a GPA of 3.5, she has been on the honor roll every semester of high school. “The obstacles in my life so far have taught me to find the bright side in any situation,” Kiara said. “The bright side in my life has been the birth of my nephew Omar, my family working hard to keep us in a stable home, my mom raising me to be who I am today, and my dream of giving us a better life” through a college education. Kiara hopes the Simon Family Foundation will help her overcome her shyness and fear of public speaking. The Foundation promises to do just that!

Optimism and perseverance are both necessary ingredients when giving up is not an option. Both are qualities that Jennifer Scott has learned firsthand. “Even when the odds are against you, keep moving forward,” she said. When she was in 5th grade, her grandmother suffered a serious stroke that left her paralyzed on the right side of her body. The doctors gave her only weeks to live, but Jennifer spent 4 years assisting her grandmother with basic life tasks such as eating dinner and brushing her teeth. After her grandmother passed away, Jennifer’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. “The fear of losing my mother was overwhelming,” she said. “We went through difficult times but remained optimistic.” Jennifer manages to balance her family responsibilities with her school work and currently maintains an impressive 4.1 GPA. Watching other family members struggle with substance abuse and alcoholism, Jennifer is determined to differentiate herself and carve her own path. She would like to attend UC Irvine and major in pre-medicine. An active member of the El Camino Soccer team and the Asian- Pacific Student Union, Jennifer has achieved numerous academic honors and was named Homecoming Princess in 2009. She views the Simon Family Foundation scholarship as an amazing opportunity in that “I am not alone in facing obstacles.” Additionally, she has discovered outlets to cope with her worries and stress, such as her passion for soccer. Her Chemistry teacher calls Jennifer an “exceptional young woman with a great attitude and unquestionable sense of integrity.” In spite of all of the adversity that she has already experienced in her young life, Jennifer believes that “our endless love, strength, and support of the people around us are the most important factors of all.”

Described by his teachers as both a “natural leader” and “the glue that held his family together during a difficult divorce”, Will Tate refers to himself as “young, but wise.” His parents split up when he was 13 years old, and since his sophomore year, he and his 5-year-old brother have lived separately – one with each parent. “Warmth and security were all I wanted when my parents split,” Will said, “but instead I felt alone and vulnerable, watching my life fall apart day-by-day.” When his grandmother died shortly after his parents’ separation, Will began struggling in school, was unable to focus, and started failing to show up for football practice. He credits God’s help with recognizing the need to turn his life around. “God gave me the opportunity to be the ‘rock’ for my family,” he said. Will began excelling again in school and sports, leading his football team in sacks, and choosing not to turn to drugs and alcohol like so many others around him. Currently, he carries a GPA of 3.8. Will aspires to study in the medical field and would like to attend USC or Berkeley. He also participates on the AVID Olympic team and in the Anti-Defamation League on campus. Will’s History teacher said that while he could have used the obstacles he has already encountered in his life as an “excuse for failure,” he has instead used these crises as challenge and motivation. His AVID teacher said that Will has “gone out of his way to be an active role model in his young brother’s life, even though they live in separate homes. It is amazing to see how Will has persevered and had numerous successes.” Will believes that his leadership skills can be developed even further through the Simon Family Foundation Scholarship. “It will push me to my limits and give me confidence to become the first in my family to attend college…and reach my goal of becoming a radiologist. It may take me 9-12 years, but with God by my side, persistence and internal motivation, anything can be accomplished.”

Brenda Vazquez lives by the motto: “In youth, we learn; through age, we understand.” Those words remind her of her bitter childhood and memories that she can’t quite dismiss. Her parents divorced when she was 8 years old, and Brenda and her mother moved in with her grandparents and aunt and uncle. When her parents fought, Brenda felt paralyzed by fear. “The dim light in the hallway and being so small gave me the advantage of not being seen,” she recalls. Even today, Brenda believes she still hides who she truly is from the world. “I rarely go out with friends, join any clubs or do anything that will involve me with others,” she admitted. “The Simon Scholars Program made me realize how much I’ve missed out. It made me want to change.” Currently holding a 3.35 GPA, Brenda dreams of attending Boston University and studying psychology or sociology. “I want to raise my GPA even higher,” she said. “The (Simon Scholar) video is my inspiration for wanting to get involved. It inspires me to want to try and do things I’ve never dared to attempt.” Brenda would be the first in her family to attend college, and that motivates her. “I want to live my life knowing I took risks and that I was full of perseverance.” Brenda’s Chemistry teacher has watched her slowly come out of her shell in the classroom. “I have started to hear her voice and who she is,” he said. “First and foremost, she is a hard worker. It’s been a slow process, but she is now more willing to ask for help.” The Simon Family Foundation will certainly offer plenty of opportunities for Brenda to take risks, and will provide her with emotional and financial support in the process. “I want to find that part of me I lost long ago,” Brenda said. “My new goal in life is to better myself and find my true potential by getting more involved.” Welcome to the family, Brenda!

When John Velasco won the AVID “Student of the Year” Award in 2010, he recognized that he was onto something – the capacity to be an outstanding student. In the past, John has often experienced a lack of self-confidence, timidity, and shyness, to the point where he would often be afraid to speak out in class or ask for assistance. His older sister tried to help him with his studies, as his parents were limited in their education. Still, John considers the support offered by the Simon Family Foundation as invaluable. “I know I could really benefit from the life skills training offered,” he said, adding that he would be proud to wear the Simon Scholar logo. John’s interests lie in acting, music and cooking. He plans to continue his quest for excellence, and his current 3.6 GPA has him well on his way. John hopes to graduate from a 4-year UC university with a strong performing arts component, in order to pursue his passion for the guitar and bass. His AVID teacher said that John thrives within the bounds of structure and guidance. “His parents are neither high school nor college graduates,” she said, “so John’s role models for higher education are programs in which he willingly participates so that he can be the first college graduate in his family.” She went on to say that John is not only genuine and kind, but he has the biggest, brightest smile you’ll ever see. John endeavors to put into practice the life motto “keep trying because you never know when your chance will come.” The Simon Family Foundation is pleased to provide him with the opportunity to shine even more.