Student receives scholarship from labor secretary’s alma mater

An honors student from Citrus College is one of only two community college students that have been awarded the Hilda L. Solis Scholarship.

The scholarship wes set up by the current U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor's  degree in political science in 1979.

Approximately 300 applied for the $1,000 scholarship; only 10 were chosen. One of the more select few is Citrus College student Angel Cruz.

To qualify, applicants must either be a current Cal Poly Pomona students or planning to attend the university as a transfer student or incoming freshman in fall 2010.

Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of at least 2.5 and submit a two-page personal statement elaborating on their academic and career goals, as well as how they will continue to contribute to the Latino community and Raices Alumni Chapter once they graduate.
 

"Once I saw the amount of competition, I was baffled and nervous," Cruz said. "But Citrus College has given me the tools to accomplish this.

 

"It's amazing what this place has taught me," he said. "It has made me realize that hard work definitely pays off and to not be afraid to take a chance."

 

Cruz, 22, attended Huntington Park High School near South Central Los Angeles.

Although he always valued education, the environment he grew up in. He was not conducive to the pursuit of academic excellence. 
 

"It was difficult to focus on my education in high school because of the gang and crime environment that I was exposed to," he said. "Because of where I went to high school, I always say that Citrus College is the foundation of my education."

 

After graduating in 2005, Cruz was accepted to Cal State Los Angeles and dropped out after less than a semester.

 

"I just got sick of it. But then I decided to attend Citrus College and I loved it here," he said.
 

Because of his involvement in the three campus honors programs Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta and Alpha Gamma Sigma, as well as the Associated Students of Citrus College and the Honors program– he has surrounded himself with people that push him to do his best in all aspects of his life," he said.
 

The people at Citrus College have truly made a difference in what he has achieved.
"The social networks I have built here have allowed me to educate my peers about what I have to offer, and in turn they have taught me life lessons as well," Cruz said. "We all push each other to do well."

 

His professors, have come to respect him and say he has a very bright future.
 

"He is focused, goal-oriented, enthusiastic and a very strong leader," said English professor and PTK honors society adviser  Lisa Telesca. "I think he views education as a privilege and wants to embrace it wholeheartedly."
 

Christian Ramirez, a close friend Cruz became acquainted  with through their involvement in student government, said Cruz has had a profound effect on his life.
 

"Angel is a hard worker and an amazing leader," Ramirez said. "We both grew here at Citrus and I learned a lot about him.

 

"I know that he will help and motivate others just as he has me." 
 

Cruz plans to major in ethnic studies at Cal Poly Pomona and wants to become a high school academic counselor.
 

"I have always been told by my parents that we need to break the stereotypes of Latinos by going out and showing others that we can earn master's degrees and even doctorates," he said. "School is a commitment, and for me it's paying off. And I want others to see that it will pay off for them."