Andrae Gonzales: Having a support network key to success
| Sunday, Oct 25 2009 05:45 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Oct 25 2009 09:03 PM
If I didn't know better growing up, I would have thought my name was Manuel Marc Andrae. After all, that's what my parents often called me.
See, my older brother's name is Manuel and my younger brother's name is Marc. Like some parents, mine would go through all their kids' names before they got to the right one.
I'm just thankful they didn't include my three sisters' names.
We're a big family, yes, but the bigger point is how we have supported, encouraged and supported each other over the years.
Of course, family is not always made up of kin.
Gabby Caraballo, a University of California Berkeley freshman who grew up in south Bakersfield, knows that.
As a young child, the 18-year-old found herself surrounded by "thieves, liars, and drug addicts"(her words) -- lacking the needed guidance and emotional support.
At the age of 9, she walked into a church, hoping for something more.
"She came to the church because neighbors told her that 'This is an easy church to steal from'," said Rev. Keith Fultz, pastor of Chester Avenue Community Church.
Silver and gold she got none, but instead she found a "family" that prepared her to succeed over the years.
"There I discovered some strange people who, even in their poor and desperate situations, reached out to me with loving kindness. I was introduced to the idea of hope," Caraballo wrote in her personal statement for her University of California college application last year.
"Home was a big challenge. There were always financial problems, relationship problems, and someone going crazy in my family. And that was a bit of a distraction from my education due to my emotional stability."
So the church members became the foundation she so needed.
The youth pastors, Roger and Teresa Allen, became her de facto surrogate parents.
"When I wanted to cry or whenever I needed a place to stay for a couple months, they acted as though it was my home, too," says Caraballo.
The Chester Avenue Community Church gave her hope for the future.
"(I began to) see past the storms in (my) life and focus on the rays of light I was being offered. Many incredible people came into my life and taught me about love, honesty, friendship, and having a heart for others," Caraballo said.
As she began to find her moral compass, it pointed toward Romania and Costa Rica where she engaged in two mission trips as a high school student.
She also got involved in the Math and Science Engineering Academy at South High and became an active participant of the church.
"She came and built a relationship with the Lord," said Fultz, "and became a vital member of the congregation. She is a spiritual leader for our youth and the rest of the congregation."
Then last spring, Caraballo's life changed forever: She found out that she had been accepted into UC Berkeley.
"I didn't expect to get into Berkeley, and when I did, I lost my breath," she said. " I didn't think I was smart enough. I know I worked hard all of my schooling, but I thought Berkeley was far beyond my grasp."
Others had more faith.
Catalina Mendiola, college site coordinator for Early Academic Outreach Program with the University of California, Santa Barbara, is one.
"Gabby is so wonderful. She inspired me because she said she wants to be an agent of change. She has an obligation to help others. She is so determined, so smart, and she will be very successful," Mendiola said.
Mendiola helped Caraballo with preparation for college and her personal statement. Although employed by UC Santa Barbara, Mendiola helps kids looking to get into different universities.
At Berkeley, Caraballo is majoring in biology. Her dream is to become a physician.
I am so impressed with how she has grown to become such a smart, ambitious and God-centered young women.
The Chester Avenue Community Church deserves recognition, too. They remain in close contact with her.
As I reflect on Caraballo's story, I can't help but thank God for the people, who have loved, supported and helped me become the young man I am today.
For that, my parents can call me whatever they want, and you can call me "thankful."
Andrae Gonzales is a local Latino columnist whose work appears regularly in The Californian. These are the opinions of Gonzales, not necessarily The Californian. Write to him at agonzales@bakersfield. com.
