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But during her high school years, she said, a program that encourages low-income children to attend college ignited an educational spark in her. That is when she decided she wanted to become the first in her family to go to college and learn about social work so she could combat social injustices in today 麻豆精品 S檚 world.
麻豆精品 S淏eing in the Upward Bound program in high school, I met people who were struggling with problems I knew existed in other people 麻豆精品 S檚 lives, but I did not expect to be happening to my peers, 麻豆精品 S� said the 22-year-old University of Central Florida senior who has lived in Orlando since she was 5.
麻豆精品 S淭his really opened my eyes and it made me realize that I 麻豆精品 S檇 like to help people have their needs met. These past couple of years, there have been a lot of social-justice movements and issues that have been getting time in the spotlight and I love seeing people get together to advocate for a cause. It has also made me more aware of the micro aggressions, discrimination and limitations placed on minorities. 麻豆精品 S�
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麻豆精品 S淢y mother would take me to as many Upward Bound events and workshops as she could, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淥nce I started going to college, my father would brag to his coworkers and friends about how his first-born is studying hard and would graduate with a college degree. 麻豆精品 S�
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Tejada next earned her AA at Valencia College and used the DirectConnect to UCF program to transition to the university. The program guarantees admission to UCF with an associate degree from one of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 partner state colleges.
She said she chose UCF because she wanted to stay close to home and help her family. She lives with her mother and two sisters, one of whom is a high-functioning autistic 20-year-old with ADHD.
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She also works as a student assistant in the campus TRiO office, which helps prepare low-income/potential first-generation college students for successful entry and retention in post-secondary education. One of her responsibilities is providing campus tours for TRiO programs that visit from other colleges and universities.
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Working in the office, Tejada said, has helped build her confidence to talk to people and gain skills in time management, social engagement, business, networking, public speaking and presentation.
Also during her time on campus she has become a LEAD scholar, UCF Cares ambassador, a member of the Bachelors of Social Work Student Association, and has participated in Volunteer UCF opportunities and events.
In addition to all her on-campus activities, she is interning with the Orlando Youth Advocate Program Inc., which provides children the opportunity to develop and be of value to their community. The program connects youths with caring adults and provides opportunities for them to assume leadership roles and learn healthy behaviors.
麻豆精品 S淲e hold activities for children in the program that help them understand that there are other ways we can react to a stressful situations and how to be able to avoid conflict, 麻豆精品 S� she said.
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