College : Fresno State Career goal : Nursing

About Maria : Maria Andrade has been on her own for nearly two years , since she was 17 , after living with a series of foster families and attending four different elementary schools . At times she was homeless . One of the hardest parts was not knowing how she would get to school , or even if she would go to school . When she was with her family , she often had to take on the role of mother for her six younger siblings . She once had to call the police and report that her parents were neglecting their children . Despite tremendous obstacles , Maria earned excellent grades , starred on the volleyball team , was vice president of her school and remained focused on creating a better life for herself . She said : “ A lot of people expected me to be like my mom and grandparents . They said I looked like her . I didn ’ t like that . I wanted people to be proud of me .”

Teachers and staff at Fresno High school , including counselors Gina Sandoval and Chie Moua as well as teacher Garrett Goodell , stepped in to watch over Maria . “ They ’ ve known my situation . They make sure I ’ m OK . They tell me they ’ re proud of me .”

Although accepted to UC Berkeley , Maria will attend Fresno State to pursue nursing as it makes more sense financially . She looks forward to living in the dorms and experiencing college life .

In Maria ’ s words : “ I just want better for my future family . I don ’ t want to worry about money and worry about everyone being safe .”

From Gina Sandoval , a counselor at Fresno High School : “ Maria Andrade is nothing less than extraordinary . She has persevered through abuse , neglect , homelessness and foster care . Through all these challenges , Maria has remained kind-hearted , caring and most importantly , hopeful . Maria realized at a young age that education was her ticket to a better life .”

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