Lori De La Rosa meets with one of Gateway to College’s resource specialists, Gilbert Palomo, in the Ozuna Building. She will graduate from high school with 53 college hours.
Photo by Cynthia Carrillo
Many of us have seen the double doors leading to Gateway to College as we walk through the Ozuna Building’s main entrance. Those are not only doors though. They are a pathway to a brighter future for many students.
Gateway was started in 2005 at Palo Alto College to assist high school dropouts or those in danger of dropping out of high school.
Bill and Melinda Gates are Gateways’ founders, and the program originally began in Portland, Oregon.
“It was in their intention to replicate the Gateway to College Network model,” said Abel Gonzales, director of Gateway.
Gateway to College is assisting 10 area high school districts by having students enrolled in both their high school and Gateway simultaneously. The districts are East Central, Edgewood, Floresville, Lytle, Poteet, Somerset, South San, Harlandale, Southside and San Antonio. Currently, there are 71 students enrolled in the Gateway program.
The principal at Southside High School, Cynthia Treviño, said, “Gateway is a great opportunity for the non-traditional students who do not fit the mold of a traditional high school. Students are able to recover credits and gain dual credit, as well as opportunities for real-world certifications after high school.”
Gilbert Palomo, a resource specialist who works with the Gateway students, said, “The main students that Gateway targets are high school dropouts, those coming out of imprisonment, teen moms and students who are not on track and behind in school.
The staff members are personally involved in the success of the students. Cindy Morgan, another resource specialist like Palomo, is responsible for day-to-day operations. They become involved as counselors, as well. Gateway to College has graduated more than 25 students since its existence at Palo Alto.
Students like Lori De La Rosa only have kind remarks toward the Gateway staff. “They assist with the best intentions and are good, nice and easy. They also offer one-on-one staff,” said De La Rosa.
This year, out of the 15 students who will receive their high school diploma through Gateway, Lori De La Rosa from South San will graduate this May with 53 college hours. Her process was not an easy one; she has a child and suffers from panic attacks. One influence that’s kept her motivated throughout this process is her friend, April.
The high school environment was a rough one for De La Rosa. A reason why she did not enjoy high school was because she struggled.
“I was having a hard time with high school, had anxiety,” she said.
It has taken her two years to complete her high school diploma along with the 53 college hours, but she achieved this milestone without one failing grade. De La Rosa is planning to remain at Palo Alto to continue her education. She is only 18, but she has big dreams ahead of her. She plans to major in Radiology.
Another student, 16-year-old Emily Brown from Highlands is enjoying the atmosphere at Gateway. “I come to school every day now. I want my diploma,” Brown said. She left Highlands because of the negative people, but she is glad for the assistance she has now. Morgan and Palomo are tutors to her, and she is happy with their attention.
The Gateway age requirement is 16 to 20 years old. The average time of completion for the students is 18 months.
High schools, like Southside, offer orientation sessions with Gonzales to try and persuade students who are interested in Gateway to enroll. The students who are in danger of dropping out of high school or who are not motivated are encouraged to enroll into Gateway to College.
For the past three years that Cynthia Treviño has been principal of Southside, they have worked with Gateway in addition to two years before that. Currently, eight Southside students are enrolled in the program. Gateway to College has been assisting Southside with its dropout population through the expanded opportunities their students receive.
“The program allows for certification opportunities to keep even the unmotivated students interested in school,” said Treviño.
Gateway to College wants others to be aware that they give an opportunity to those who need one extra chance.
“It’s a wonderful program for students who are looking to rewrite their own stories and for a real second chance,” said Gonzales.
De La Rosa agrees. “This is your last chance. Make the most of it,” she said.