Alexis Arteaga, a freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio (USTA), reflected on the challenges of her past and the hopes of her future.

By the time Alexis had reached the 5th grade, her family had moved close to 20 times.  By the 7th grade, she had lived in six different states, countless cities and had attended more schools than she can remember.  The Arteaga family was constantly on the move, either running away from domestic discord and lost jobs or running toward fleeting hopes of a better life.  Alexis’s father battled alcoholism and was separated from her mother.  To make ends meet, her mother sometimes had to take multiple jobs and rely on friends and family for a place to live.  Alexis recalled living in borrowed rooms with her mother, brother and sister for periods sometimes as brief as two weeks and never more than a year.  The instability put a strain on Alexis, both emotionally and academically.

The summer between her sophomore and junior years, Alexis found herself at New Braunfels High School, where she learned for the first time about Communities in Schools of South Central Texas.  At school registration, Alexis’ mother met Liberty Nicholas, the Communities In Schools project director who would serve as Alexis’ case manager.  As Nicholas packed a box of school supplies for Alexis and her brother, Mrs. Arteaga immediately began to open up, explaining that her marriage had recently ended and that her children may need counseling.

Two weeks into the new school year, Nicholas followed up by inviting Alexis to her office to explain the broad range of services for which she was eligible.  Alexis began attending Communities In Schools homework club and counseling sessions after school.  She received assistance with medical and dental care since her family didn’t have health insurance.  Nicholas enlisted the help of the New Braunfels Volunteers in Medicine, which provides free medical and dental services to individuals without the means to pay for health care.  Also with the help of Communities In Schools, Alexis was able to order her senior picture, graduation invitations and a cap and gown.

Among all the Communities In Schools services this bright young lady received, however, Alexis is most grateful for the help she received from an initiative unique to Communities In Schools of South Central Texas: Project Success.  Coordinated with the campus career centers and school counselors, and headed by the program’s director, Aimee Victoria, its purpose is to empower graduating high school students to plan for post-secondary education.  Many Project Success participants are first-generation college students who need assistance with determining their future goals and overcoming barriers to post-secondary education including family situations, finances and lack of awareness.

Victoria reflected, “Alexis had this determination that she was going to make it.”  And sure enough, with the help of Project Success, Alexis applied for scholarships and was awarded an impressive $43,000 in grant and scholarship money.  Communities In Schools supported Alexis in her many college application endeavors including writing essays, answering interview questions, gathering letters of reference and meeting deadlines.  “I couldn’t have done it by myself,” she pointed out.   

Alexis is the first person in her family to attend college.  “I’ve made family history,” she proclaimed proudly.  “Project Success helped me break through the barrier of not being sure if I could do it.  The best thing ever is to hear my little sister and cousin say they want to be like me.”  This achievement surpasses anything in her life.

Victoria of Project Success beamed, “Alexis has a very good heart and wants to give back.”

Despite her setbacks, Alexis scored well on her SATs.  She was accepted at Baylor University and at UTSA, where she now studies.  She is majoring in biology, which she hopes will lead to a career in orthodontics.  When asked where she sees herself in 10 years, she envisions herself having her own practice and a family.  “I want to be a wife and a mom and open doors for my kids that have been opened for me.”

Why an orthodontist?  Alexis explained, “I love kids, so I thought maybe I should be a teacher or a pediatrician.  But I would see too many sad things.  Everything I thought of, there was a down side.  Then I thought about how my mom has always told me to smile.  She taught me that once you’ve been through so much in life, nothing can bring you down.  Even when we had no money and no place to live, she always found a way to make us happy.”  Alexis paused to muse over how she arrived at her career choice.  “I want to be an orthodontist because I want to help people with their smiles.”  She concluded simply, “With smiles, there is no down side.”

June 2010