FACES Fresno Unified Graduation Edition 2024 | Page 22

Luis Macias

College : Fresno State Career goal : School psychologist

Scholarship

Recipient

About Luis : Luis Macias will be the first generation in his family to attend college and looks forward to completing his education and getting a good job so that he can help his parents . He hates to see his father come home exhausted from working as a gardener all day in the heat , or his mother rushing to free food giveaways . Luis grew up extremely poor , at one time living in a converted garage . Paying just half of the electricity bill was standard .
In high school , Luis was in McLane ’ s Teacher Academy , working with students after school and during winter and summer breaks tutoring , learning to create classroom curriculum and assisting the teacher . He wants to be a school psychologist or school counselor and eventually an administrator . Luis was also heavily involved in leading language , cultural and diversity activities at McLane . He has been awarded a Smittcamp Family Honors College full-ride scholarship to Fresno State .
In Luis ’ words : “ What has really inspired me to do well in school has been the determination to overcome stereotypes and break down the barriers cemented around young Latinos like me . Being consistently criticized and downplayed for being a young Latino is an experience I and others are too familiar with . Therefore , altering the critiques into fuel has been my motive , alongside the strong foundation of support and love my family provides .”
From Carol Padilla-Shaath , teacher on special assignment in English Learner Services : “ Luis has a work ethic that has been instilled from an early age and takes initiative on any task or project . Luis is a committed young man . He has been looked to as a leader among his peers and has an unyielding drive to accomplish his goals while doing his part to help others in the community .”

June 4 , 2024 / McLane Stadium