MORE SUCCESS STORIES . . .
Florencio "Flo" Heras
is a 2005 GEAR UP graduate of St. Paul’s Humboldt Senior High School. Flo has been involved with the GEAR UP program since 1999 when he was a 7th grader at Humboldt Junior High School in St. Paul.
Being a minority, Flo never thought of attending a four-year college until GEAR UP began working with him. He said, “Before GEAR UP, I never thought college was a possibility for a kid like me.” The GEAR UP financial aid workshops have taught him that he, too, can make college a reality. Flo wants to make his family proud of him by going to college and being the first in his family to graduate from college.
In addition to the financial aid activities in which Flo was involved, he enjoyed the college visits and classroom presentations because he learned things that he and his family were not familiar with. The GEAR UP program opened his eyes to opportunities after high school.
Flo Heras is attending Minnesota State University, Mankato and was a recipient of the MSU, Mankato Boys and Girls Club scholarship.
Lukivisi (Luki) Murumba is a 2005 GEAR UP graduate of St. Paul’s Humboldt Senior High in St. Paul, Minnesota. Luki would call himself “different” from other students at Humboldt. Luki grew up in a bi-racial household. He grew up loving and embracing his mother’s Caucasian heritage as well as, his father’s Kenyan background. As an outstanding student and active community member, Luki has definitely felt the pressure to succeed and be a good role model for his two younger sisters. For some students, this pressure would stress them out, not for Luki. The pressure to succeed and to go further in life only makes him stronger and more determined individual.
Luki has been highly involved in the St. Olaf GEAR UP program. He has been an active participant since his 7th grade year at Humboldt Junior High School. For Luki, GEAR UP has impacted his life and academics in so many ways. GEAR UP has opened doors for Luki. GEAR UP gave him the opportunity to explore colleges and careers, as well as the knowledge base that helped him realize that he has the potential to go to, and succeed in, college. For Luki, the most helpful GEAR UP activity was the College Panel. Luki really enjoyed meeting a group of college students, listening to their stories, and asking them questions about college. If younger students were to ask him about GEAR UP, Luki would tell them, “I would highly recommend becoming involved with GEAR UP. The program helped me realize what it’s like to be a college student and what to expect when I become a college student. I am very fortunate to be involved with the program, and you should take advantage of their services.”
Luki Murumba is attending North Dakota State University and plans to major in commercial aviation or architecture.
Andrea Neal, 2005 GEAR UP graduate of St. Paul Humboldt Senior High School, has participated in the GEAR UP program since 1999 when she was in 7th grade.
Andrea has always been pro-active when she needs assistance. She worked hard on her college-preparatory curriculum since 7th grade so she would be prepared to apply to colleges during her senior year. Andrea comes from a large family of 9 children. Her family was already living below the poverty line, and when her father was laid off during her senior year, her family struggled financially. Instead of focusing on the hardships in her life, Andrea set goals and worked toward them. Because she participated in GEAR UP and is a bright, hardworking student, she continually challenged herself by working towards and maintaining a 3.7 grade point average in high school so she could graduate in the top 15% of her class. During high school she volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, participated in GEAR UP and the student council, all while working 30 hours a week. Her dedication to school and community is outstanding. Despite the financial setbacks of her family, she continues to flourish so she will have a better life.
After spending much time working on scholarship applications, she received the Minnesota State University, Mankato Academic Scholarship and the Boys and Girls Club Service Scholarship, both of which recognize her achievements. Andrea has proven that she will find great success in her life, despite any obstacles. Andrea is enrolled at Minnesota State University, Mankato and is the first person in her family to attend college.
Alejandra Villafan, 2005 GEAR UP graduate of St. Paul Humboldt Senior High, has participated in the GEAR UP program since 1999 when she was in 7th grade.
In middle school, Alejandra rebelled from school and her parents. She had no interest in college and paid little attention to the GEAR UP staff during presentations. Gangs were a part of her life and so she began to spend time with the wrong crowd. As the weeks went by, she gradually tuned in to the GEAR UP classroom workshops and learned about the importance of college. Her mother worked closely with her to get her back on track and she rid herself of gang involvement.
By the time 9th grade came, she was ready to work hard and prepare for college. Alejandra has three younger sisters at home so it was important to her to that she succeed because they looked up to her. She maintained a 3.0 grade point average and was active in and out of school. Folkloric dance has always been a part of her life, and she performed with a dance group in her community. She also worked hard to improve the Saint Paul West Side community by volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club as well as worked on political campaigns. Her dedication and compassion will help her succeed in the future.
Alejandra received the $4,000 Boys and Girls Club Service Scholarship and the $2,000 Constance Curry Scholarship for. Due to her academic success, she also received the Minnesota State University, Mankato Academic Scholarship for $500. Alejandra attends Minnesota State University, Mankato and plans to major in social work. Alejandra is a role model for all GEAR UP students because of her determination to succeed and she is the first person in her family to go to college.