From Watsonville to the Ivy League

Brothers Edgar and Cesar Garcia Lopez immigrated to the United States from Mexico as children, graduated from
Lakeview Middle School Watsonville High and are finding success at Ivy League universities.

Local News: Lakeview Graduates Prove that Hard Work Pays Off  There have been many sad stories in the news recently, but I just came across one article that filled me with pride and joy and an overwhelming feeling of hope. Scrolling through my Facebook news feed over winter break, I noticed an article featuring two of my former students. Brothers Edgar and Cesar Garcia Lopez, children of immigrants, had graduated from Lakeview Middle School and Watsonville High and gone on to attend two  of the most prestigious universities in the nation, Brown and Yale. "Watsonville's not just about violence and strawberries. It's about people going off and making it," shared Edgar. Let's get inspired and read together the amazing and true story of Edgar and Cesar.

 

Edgar graduated as Watsonville High's valedictorian. 

Special Guest: Edgar Garcia Lopez  After sharing and commenting on the news article above, I received a new friend request on Facebook. It was Edgar. I asked if he would be interested in coming back to Lakeview to share his story and answer your questions, and he said 'yes.' So between packing and preparing to return to "Brown University" today, Edgar has found time to be here with us. We are lucky to have Edgar as our guest. What sorts of questions would you like to ask? Perhaps you want to know, What is college like? What were your experiences growing up in Watsonville? How did you prepare for college? What are you planning to do after you graduate from university? Edgar has an important to story to share and can be an inspiration for all of us. "It's not about being smart," Edgar said. "It's about being driven. That's how I got where I am. That's how my brother got where he is." 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and make a Digital Reading Log entry using the new 3rd Quarter Reading Log. (2.) Continue working on your 100 World Challenge: '...the light was SO bright...' (Week 17) story, which we will publish on Friday, January 16. (3.) Complete your Cabrillo Advancement Program (CAP) Scholarship Essay (and the application if you're actually applying for the scholarship), which is also due on Friday, January 16.