Paulina Acevedo currently attends Contra Costa College and is a member of the class of 2024. She is a 2022 graduate of Salesian College Preparatory High School and joined the Richmond Promise Summer Associate program in 2023.

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: Coming from an immigrant parent from Mexico and seeing the sweat and tears they have put into my life to make me always have everything essential I need in order to live is my motivation. Seeing my older brother go through college without knowing anything and now how he helps me look for opportunities is also what motivates me. And, coming from a low income household but not keeping low standards, always wanting to go higher in life and becoming successful also motivates me.

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

A: The program gave me the support that I needed to take on college, like getting a laptop to do all my college work on. My experience with RP has been nothing but love from the team. Having all of these workshops and reminders to keep me on track has eased my first year of college and made me feel safe.

Q: Why did you choose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to become a Richmond Promise Summer Associate to provide support or become a friend to kids going into college. I actually met one of my closest friends through a peer coaching appointment and she has always supported me since. I would like to be the face of Richmond Promise and leave a good impression for students when they think of Richmond Promise. I want to help ease students into college and let them know that I have done it — so can they. I am hoping to take from this internship the purpose of what Richmond Promise really is and also try to grasp all the good information being provided to the Scholars.

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

A: Being born and raised in Richmond means hope and purpose. I really do live by that. I am grateful that I could see Richmond’s helpful, safe and resourceful side. It makes me want to show everyone who doesn’t feel like Richmond is helpful or good all the amazing opportunities one can have coming from Richmond. Being an RP Scholar means the motivation to be one’s better self and not get caught up in the bad stuff. Hearing all the fantastic stories from the staff and all the workshops makes me want to succeed and achieve even higher goals. Knowing that RP has so many resources, I can always contact them and feel like a united community.

Q: Can you tell us about your current college experience?

A: My college experience has been very smooth since I have been in the FYE program. I am very grateful for everything and I’m very excited about where my educational path goes in the years to come. The only thing I could say is when I started college and had freedom, it did affect a little bit in my grades because I would prefer to be out and about. But, I was able to learn from that and now I know how to better manage my time.

Q: What are you looking forward to after receiving your bachelor’s/transferring?

A: I am planning to complete an associate’s degree here at Contra Costa and then transfer to a four-year college right after that. I am looking forward to what I will be able to accomplish and feel proud of myself. Living on my own when I transfer and opening a new chapter in my life is making me excited to see how I would be and exploring more about myself.