SOY is a special place for so many youth in the Newport Mesa Area and has become much more than a center to them— please take a chance to listen to some of them. Our SOY students come to us from 7th to 12th grade looking for assistance in academics, arts, music, dance and fitness. They leave often being the first in their family to get into a college or university and some enter the best universities in California, including Berkeley, UCSD, UCLA and UCI. SOY provides them hope, assistance and encouragement. Meet some of our amazing students and hear what SOY has meant to them.
Meet our Students
Meet Leslie J.
Leslie is a senior at Early College High School taking college courses along with her high school courses and will be attending a 4-year university next year with a SOY scholarship. She has been a member of SOY for three years. She’s involved in the Youth Council, SOY Girls and does community service projects with SOY, as well as the college bound program.
“SOY has been welcoming and helpful. I have received a lot of advice on the college application process, and I was able to go on numerous college tours, including the week-long Northern California college tour trip. Because of that trip I was able to picture myself on the campuses as a college student. It was an opportunity that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
Meet Jose C.
Jose has been at SOY since 7th grade. He went to TeWinkle Middle School when he started SOY and all through his years at Estancia High School he was very involved at SOY. He thought of himself as intelligent, responsible, generous, creative and unique. He was a DJ, which he learned at SOY, and constantly gave back to his community during his time at SOY. He is heading to UC San Diego to pursue a career in Engineering or STEM with a SOY scholarship.
“Enrolling in SOY was among the best decisions I’ve made in my life. Within 6 years, I experienced a metamorphosis—from a timid individual to a young professional, SOY has truly redirected my life…I interned and performed as a DJ in front of large audiences for 3 years. In addition to the classes, I revitalized through the monthly hikes and thrived in my courses with my involvement in the Academic Program. Above all, I’ve met some of my best friends and some of the most influential people in my life here. People that inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and attain my goals. SOY quickly became my 2nd space to call home…
As I transition into college, I possess the tools to be successful. SOY has honed my proactivity, confidence, and polished my communication. I had the opportunity to meet professionals at the career nights in addition to touring colleges, which enabled me to gain insight into my future. One memorable experience was touring UCSD for the first time. I was enamored by the school and ultimately committed. At UCSD, I’m ready to start the next chapter in my life… SOY has empowered me to become a man of integrity and a future role model. As an emerging SOY alumni, I aspire to be as influential as the program was to me.”
Meet Emily A.
Emily is an eighth grader at TeWinkle Middle School. She has come to SOY every day since 7th grade and is the youngest member of the SOY Youth Council. She is also involved in SOY Girls and is taking music lessons, learning to play the guitar. She goes on all the SOY field trips and participates in all of the SOY community service projects.
“What I love about SOY is the opportunity to go into all the extra-curricular activities like tennis, soccer, and art and to play the guitar in the music room. The academic program is also a very big help. Recently I just finished an essay, and I am hoping to print it. Many students like myself do not have access to printers or access to a quiet room, and I think that is a really big help. Thanks SOY for these opportunities.”
Listen to Emily in person
