Gheyden

My name is Gheyden I am a Senior currently attending Morse High School. I quickly learned that people's backgrounds, whether they like it or not, heavily affect the privilege they have from a young age. Early on, I was aware of the gender divide between men and women. But, I never realized that immigrating to California from the Philippines would cause a disadvantage. I experienced poverty at a young age, as I lived in a third-world country; the economic odds of success were stacked against me. It is no secret that being a woman of color hinders you from achieving the same opportunities your white counterparts are given. Even so, I am determined to live an impactful life. 

I identify most with the community I left behind in the Philippines after immigrating. Those individuals, relatives or not, are connected to me through shared cultural experiences. They taught me to lend a hand to the needy without expecting anything in return. My father taught me that success is not determined by one’s privileges but through “diskarte” which does not have an exact translation but a mix of being strategic, resourceful, and having that hustle. This will always remind me to have the grit to achieve what is not expected of me. I grew up in admiration of my country's grit, and of their hopeful demeanors despite facing the struggles of life.

Even after being subjected to disadvantages, like insufficient funding at my high school, I realize that it does not hinder my success. Through my pursuit of a higher education, I sought opportunities like First Gen Scholars which has provided me with resources for college applications and mentors who guide us through the process. Through this program, I met Jonathan Burgos and Chris Feliciano, who have inspired me to give back to underrepresented communities. 

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to be part of the first student-run non-profit organization in San Diego for AAPI youth. This nonprofit aims to create a safe space that fosters the minds of AAPI youth. We plan to raise public awareness about issues like the model minority myth and extend our educational resources to our students. I will transfer my organization, collaboration, and leadership skills from my TOLA internship where I learned the foundation of being a grassroots organizer to facilitate this nonprofit. 

            With my experiences, I want to be able to give back to disadvantaged youth and inspire them to aim for higher education. Growing up I always wanted to be in the STEM field but lacked the confidence to believe that I would succeed in a white male-dominated field. But above all, I was discouraged by the lack of money and resources I could put into my education. If it were not for mentors from first-generation scholars or my internship, I would not have the confidence to put myself out there searching for a higher education to pursue my dream of being an engineer. I want to provide the same hope, resources, and support to future generations to help dismantle systematic stereotypes.