Allyson Ortiz is a graduate of De Anza High School who currently attends San Francisco State University. Allyson is majoring in Political Science with minors in History and Latino/a Studies.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: What motivates me to pursue college and prepare myself for a career is my mom. I was raised by a single mom, and I have seen firsthand the sacrifices she has made to give me a better life. I don’t want all of her hard work to be in vain, so that motivates me to work hard and pursue my education and career goals.

Q: When did you first realize that you were college-bound?

A: I first realized I was college-bound when I was a little kid, and my mom encouraged me to pursue a college education because it can open many doors. 

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: The support from Richmond Promise has been extremely helpful and has played a huge role in my college journey. A big part of being a college student is worrying about financial aid, and Richmond Promise has really helped ease that worry for me. Knowing that if I have questions or need additional support, Richmond Promise is there for me has also been really helpful.

Q: Why did you choose to apply for RP Leads, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I decided to apply for RP Leads because I saw it as an amazing opportunity to find mentors, network with others, and be introduced to new opportunities that will help prepare me for my future career goals.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: I want to contribute to my community by giving back and helping create opportunities for others. I hope to use my education and future career to advocate for others and make a positive difference.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My college experience has been amazing. It was hard to adjust at first, but I’m thankful that I have been guided along the way. I’m still figuring things out, but I’m happy to be in college and continue learning and growing. The best part has been taking courses that have introduced me to history and topics that I had never learned about before.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today?

A: One of the challenges I have overcome is continuing to pursue my educational goals even though going to college is not always a common path in my community. I have had to learn how to navigate college and many new experiences along the way. Despite these challenges, I have continued working toward my goals and reminding myself why pursuing higher education is important to me.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: The advice I would give is to not be afraid or shy about reaching out for help. Many other students are also figuring things out, and you are not expected to know everything right away. College isn’t a race; it’s a journey where we all learn and grow at our own pace.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: After finishing college, I’m looking forward to attending law school and eventually becoming an attorney. I hope to use my education and career to help others.