College : UC Berkeley Career goal : English teacher

About Alejandra : A fifth-grade field trip to watch the Fresno Philharmonic perform changed Alejandra Sanchez ’ s life . “ It just wowed me ,” she said . She signed up for the trumpet at Vang Pao Elementary School and a few years later chose to attend Roosevelt School of the Arts . Coming from a family of non-musicians , her talent surprised her parents but makes them very proud . At Roosevelt she was part of the Latin jazz band , mariachi band and the concert band during her senior year . She said , “ We ’ re so blessed to have the arts program we have here at Roosevelt .” Alejandra also plays the electric bass and is part of a “ feminist punk ” band with friends . All her favorite experiences at Roosevelt involved music and led to scholarships for three summer music camps .

Alejandra ’ s other passion is literature . She credits teacher Michael Spencer with encouraging her to read and sparking her interest in studying literature . She will obtain her bachelor ’ s degree in English from UC Berkeley and return home to get her teaching credential at Fresno State . Her goal is to teach for Fresno Unified .

In Alejandra ’ s words : “ I know it ’ s important to support students and their passions . I know there were teachers who did that for me .”

From Ariel Mena , counselor at Roosevelt High School : “ Alejandra is a genuinely kindhearted young person . She has so many talents , musically and artistically . The trait that stands out to me the most is she is autonomous .”