蘑菇传媒

Introduction from Nicole Miranda, Director of Admission

I was just two years into my tenure at 蘑菇传媒 when I met Karina. I can remember her standing in my doorway as if it were yesterday. Quietly she asked, 鈥淚鈥檓 looking for a better opportunity for my son, he鈥檚 very smart and hardworking, but I cannot afford the tuition here. Do you have scholarships?鈥� Since that time in 2014 I have witnessed two of her three children graduate from 蘑菇传媒. It has been an honor for 蘑菇传媒 to be a part of their journey. We are grateful to them and in particular to Karina for all the sacrifices she鈥檚 made so that she could leave her children the one thing no one can take from them – a 蘑菇传媒 education. 

Today, Joaquin 鈥�18, a Daniels Fund Scholar, is in his last year at Columbia University and will graduate in May with a degree in Economics and Mechanical Engineering. He also attended Claremont-McKenna College prior to transferring to Columbia. Xiomara 鈥�22 is in her first year at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Their youngest brother, Izel 鈥�26, is in his first year at 蘑菇传媒 as a member of the freshman class.

Joaquin鈥檚 ability to access 蘑菇传媒 was made possible by The Gayle and Larry H. Miller Foundation in partnership with the 蘑菇传媒 Fund.

Q: How did you find out about 蘑菇传媒?

I found out about 蘑菇传媒 through a teacher at our previous school, they knew  that 蘑菇传媒 was a school with a great reputation and she knew that I was looking for an opportunity to help my son, Joaquin, obtain an education beyond what the local public schools could provide. She mentioned that sometimes private schools have financial assistance programs for students from diverse socioeconomical backgrounds or that they might offer scholarships for students with excellent academic performance, but cannot afford the cost of tuition. 

Q: Why did you decide to bring your family to 蘑菇传媒?

I heard many good things about 蘑菇传媒 prior to  attending and researched the school online to make sure it was a good fit for my son, and what caught my attention was the rich and extensive curriculum, and deep commitment to the academic and personal growth of every student.

Right away, it was clear that 蘑菇传媒 possessed a learning environment that cares deeply and nurtures, inspires and prepares its students to reach their goals and discover meaning and purpose in their lives.

Q: What is the outcome for your children now having received these scholarship awards and financial assistance?

Attending 蘑菇传媒 has benefited my children in many ways, it has helped them build their confidence and has shaped them into the people they are. 蘑菇传媒 has helped them develop critical thinking, utilized not only academically, but in real-life situations as well. Through their time at 蘑菇传媒, they have learned to analyze things from a different perspective, they have discovered an expansive vocabulary and have learned effective ways to communicate. 蘑菇传媒 has helped nurture them into passionate individuals with strong conviction, equipped to defend their opinions in informed and respectful ways.

As recipients of these awards, my kids understand that they have to do their part by working hard, by using their time wisely and making the best of the opportunity.

I would like to emphasize that the incredible opportunity to receive a great education is an honor, we feel very blessed鈥� but the love, support, and care my children receive at home, and their ability to work together as a team has been an important factor to their success. It has helped them to overcome challenges and appreciate all that can be learned from the struggles in life. Ultimately, I believe that a great education is undoubtedly the best inheritance that you can give to your children.

Graduating from a prestigious school like 蘑菇传媒 that emphasizes academic rigor, character development, and independence has helped my kids succeed in college and the world outside of 蘑菇传媒. Not only have they continued to achieve good grades, but they navigate their lives with character, wisdom, and integrity鈥擨 believe that’s what 蘑菇传媒 is all about.

Q: Why do you choose to give back to 蘑菇传媒?

I am so grateful that my kids have received this opportunity and are able to pursue such an excellent education, giving back to 蘑菇传媒 is our chance to show our support for the school and the larger community. We understand that giving to 蘑菇传媒 truly makes a difference鈥攊t is a happy and rewarding feeling to support a cause that you truly care about and a great way to bond with the 蘑菇传媒 community.

Q: What were the challenges that your children faced/face throughout your time at 蘑菇传媒?

Joaquin was my first child to attend 蘑菇传媒, and there were more challenges we had to overcome in the beginning. We used to live in West Valley and since I had to take Xiomara and Izel to their school in the opposite direction of 蘑菇传媒, Joaquin would have to take a 2 hour bus and train ride to and from school everyday. Aside from this, there was a big academic transition all of my kids experienced when they started at 蘑菇传媒. They quickly realized it was going to be challenging, but with the access my kids had to their teachers, they were able to seek one-on-one assistance when needed. Joaquin and Xiomara would often stay after school to work on homework with their teachers. As Izel navigates his first year at 蘑菇传媒, he is discovering how to use the resources available to him, like 蘑菇传媒鈥檚 Writing Center, but now he can also reach out to his older siblings when he needs additional help.