Areli: 2021 Mike Garcia Scholarship Recipient
2021 Mike Garcia Scholarship recipient, Areli Zagal Barrera
Areli Zagal Barrera is the daughter of a single mother and the eldest of three siblings. Raised in downtown Long Beach, her mom is a night porter (janitor) and worked 60 hours a week while Areli was growing up.
As a young girl, she found herself having to take on parenting duties, looking after her two younger siblings while her mom struggled to make ends meet.
“We were a family of four living in a studio apartment. So many people looked down on us,” says Areli, who is currently a senior at Cal State University Dominguez Hills.
Growing up, there were many challenges she faced as a first-generation daughter and the eldest in her family. Areli found it difficult to assimilate into American culture and learn the English language; as Spanish is her first language. Growing up during early elementary school years, Areli had to go through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at school. It impacted how people saw her and also diminished her confidence.
Areli felt separated from her peers and teachers, and it created a barrier with fellow classmates. She felt awful growing up and worked to make her life better, gathering cans and bottles for money. Areli even asked herself: “What future do I have?”
Though for the resilient young girl, this adversity encouraged and motivated her to improve, not bring her down. Areli realized: “Why should I listen to other people’s criticisms?”
By the fifth grade, Areli was in the Gates scholar program. The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective scholarship for outstanding, minority students from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to selected students, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
She also was placed in accelerated courses from late elementary to middle school. By high school, she was taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
“High school was challenging. I went to school in a white, suburban area and found the resources and support that these students had, such as private tutors, very intimidating,” says Areli.
With limited resources, she studied and applied herself as much as possible in her accelerated classes. She found it difficult to ask for help, reflecting that many from the Latino community do not seek help from others and instead work hard to make things happen for themselves.
Areli, pictured with her mother as she hold her Mike Garcia Scholarship award letter!
As she watched her mother work so hard for their family with a sense of accountability and responsibility, she appreciated her mom and understood their circumstances. This all made her understand that education is so important.
Areli’s intelligence and perseverance gained her admission into Cal State University Dominguez Hills, where she is currently a senior majoring in Human Services, with a minor in Chicana/o studies.
In college, Areli found an opportunity to create her own path and do what she chooses. A 2021 recipient of the Mike Garcia Scholarship, she views this community as giving back to its own members, as the scholarship comes on behalf of Building Skills Partnership to provide financial support for the children of janitors to obtain a higher education. She is currently a College Ambassador for the nonprofit organization, letting others know of the educational opportunities it provides low-income property services workers and their families throughout California.
Areli is happy she got the scholarship as a senior. She is more comfortable and confident as a young adult now. She has thrived at Cal State University Dominguez Hills, with positions as a Lead Peer Mentor for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at the university and President of the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán organization while being a full-time student.
"Receiving the Building Skills Partnership Mike Garcia Scholarship has helped me focus on my studies in my senior year of college. As a Chicana, low-income, first-generation college student, it has been a privilege to continue my education. This scholarship will support me financially and remind me that all my hard work will pay off!” she says.
Areli honored as Education Opportunity Program Lead Peer Mentor Student of the Month at Cal State University Dominguez Hills
Areli continues to set the example for her two younger siblings at home. They try to emulate everything she does. She also knows that her mom put a lot of time and effort into raising her, and her siblings see her as a second mom.
Areli’s aspirations through her degree is to become an academic advisor in the higher education system. She wants to create opportunities and make a difference. One of her ultimate goals is giving back to her community as a mentor to others and also eliminating the barrier of asking for help within the Latino community.
The Mike Garcia Scholarship has brought her a sense of hope to continue with her education and as she plans to pursue her Master's Degree.
“I have always been the dark horse, the underdog.” I want to deconstruct the way society is and help restructure it for the betterment of society,” says Areli.
“I plan to pursue my master's in Fall 2022 because I want to continue to work in higher education. I am glad that BSP is supporting college students like me. Because of this, I want to support students and create opportunities for people of color and low-income college students. Being able to receive this scholarship means that Mike Garcia had the vision to see SEIU-USWW members and their families prosper and reach for the stars."