Diana, who will graduate from Franklin and Marshall College this spring with a degree in Public Health and Studio Art, was recently in Los Angeles to speak at an event about how DTS changed her life. Here are some highlights.
“Before joining Determined to Succeed, I was just a student trying to fulfill my immigrant parents’ dream and pursue an education for a better future. My parents are from Puebla, Mexico and immigrated to Los Angeles. However, when I became a part of DTS, I was able to accomplish much more outside of my education. Throughout high school, I was able to challenge my fear of heights, by completing a 32-mile hike in Mount San Gorgonio. I was able to learn how to navigate the NYC subway system by attending Barnard’s pre-college program, twice! I was able to learn valuable skills such as film editing at UCLA. Collectively, these experiences motivated me to attend college outside of California.
Throughout the college application process DTS supported me academically and emotionally. I was able to receive SAT prep, college counseling advice, and support in my application for fly-out programs to visit schools on the East Coast. DTS connected me with Health and Wellness Director Carmen, who helped me develop skills to manage stress and my mental health. Even though I am 2,644 miles away, DTS staff are only a phone call away.
My
journey with DTS prepared me to be a successful student and community
member at F&M. My experiences in DTS motivated me to keep pursuing
opportunities outside my education. At F&M, I am a Resident Advisor
where I mentor upperclassmen students. I studied abroad in five
different countries, conducted biochemistry research, and was able to
find the purpose for my education through the Future Public Health
Leaders Program at the University of Michigan. I don’t know if I would
have been able to accomplish all these experiences without the support I
received through DTS in high school and college. But being a part of
this organization has taught me to always pursue my dreams and challenge
myself. In the future, I intend to get my master’s in public health
and a medical degree to work with mothers and children in the public
health field.”
