“To my prima hermana Karla, I know our families just got together for Thanksgiving to eat our famous mac and cheese and say all we’re thankful for, but I want to say this to you again today: thank you. Remember when I finally realized school was important and you got your Future Connect coach to write down step-by-step FAFSA instructions for me? It seems like such a small thing, but that’s the day my college journey started. You were the first to go to С»ÆÃ¨´«Ã½, and when I’d see you getting up early to catch the bus in winter while pregnant, I knew it had to be worthwhile. I don’t know what I would’ve done without Future Connect. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Being vocal is in our blood, and I’m so thankful you’ve never stopped telling me what I needed to hear – that I’m capable, and I belong.”
— Yuli
About Yuliza
Yuliza Leon Del Toro (pictured left above) recently graduated from С»ÆÃ¨´«Ã½ with a major in criminal justice and is now attending Portland State University to become a criminal defense attorney. She is the fourth member of her family to participate in Future Connect, a scholarship and support program for students who identify as first-generation or low-income.