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Abigail Griffith
UC Berkeley
she/her
Abby graduated from Pasadena High School in 2022 and is currently a junior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Urban Studies with a minor in Sustainable Design. At Berkeley, she is involved with Sustainable Housing at California, the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) Housing Commission, and the California Golden Overtones. Abby’s passion for the built environment drives her, and she believes that thoughtful planning and design can enhance access to opportunities and improve the quality of life in urban areas. In her future career, she hopes to address environmental design challenges in housing, community development, urban design, zoning and planning law, educational access, and sustainability.
Abby’s journey with CAP began as a junior when she attended a virtual SAT workshop during the pandemic. She then received support from CAP to refine her college application essays and extracurricular descriptions. Now, as a Student Advisory Council member, Abby is excited to share her experiences navigating the unique challenges of college life and help motivate and encourage prospective college students from her hometown.
Brianna Tirado
USC
she/her
Brianna graduated from Pasadena High School in 2023 and is a proud first-generation college student attending the University of Southern California (USC). She joined CAP during her sophomore year and utilized CAP’s workshops and drop-in hours throughout her high school career. With support and guidance from CAP, Brianna was admitted to all the UCs and various CSUs, ultimately choosing USC, where she is attending on a full scholarship. As a Trojan in her second year, Brianna is a part of USC’s Gould Law School Undergraduate Program, majoring in Legal Studies. Brianna hopes to attend law school to fulfill her dream of becoming a corporate attorney. In her free time, Brianna volunteers to help underserved community members expunge their criminal records. Brianna is excited to share her journey and support other students the way CAP did for her.
Eddie Ledesma
Pasadena City College
he/him
Eddie graduated from Marshall Fundamental in 2024. He is currently a first-year business administration major at Pasadena City College (PCC) He serves on the Associated Students of Pasadena City College (ASPCC) Public Relations Committee, aiming to destigmatize the stereotypes surrounding community colleges.
Eddie became involved with CAP during his senior year when he connected with advisors who helped him navigate the college application process, secure scholarships, and find the best pathway to higher education. Eddie’s experiences as a first-generation, low-income college student motivate him to help students who are in the same boat as him. As a CAP Student Advisory Council member, Eddie looks forward to making others feel comfortable in their own transition to college, offering relatable insights and support as a fellow student.
Estrella Barcenas
Simmons University
she/her
Estrella graduated from Marshall Fundamental in 2023 and is now a first-year student at Simmons University in Boston, majoring in social work. She is an active member of the Social Work Academic Liaison Club and is also working with AmeriCorps at Jumpstart, an early education program that helps underserved families and children through language development and reading comprehension, and provides educational materials for at-home learning. She aspires to continue serving and supporting underserved communities through her educational journey.
Estrella is grateful for the support she received from CAP during the college application process and she continues to benefit from I Heart College alumni programming. Through her role on the CAP Advisory Council, she hopes to emphasize that there is no linear path to higher education, and highlight the importance of community building and service throughout the college experience.
Imani Raya
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
she/her
Imani graduated from Pasadena High School in 2024 and is currently commuting to Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) as a first-year student majoring in Animal Science Pre-Vet and minoring in Equine Studies. At CPP, she is part of the Horsemanship Club and Barkada, a Filipino culture club. Imani joined CAP in her junior year and utilized the college admission and scholarship essay review support. She is thankful for CAP’s help and encouragement throughout her college journey. As a member of CAP’s Student Advisory Council, she looks forward to giving back by providing insights into college life and assisting fellow students in their preparation and transition to higher education.
Jade Williams
UC Berkeley
she/her
Jade is a returning member of CAP’s Advisory Council and is a third-year at the University of California, Berkeley, studying psychology. She hopes to become a child psychologist, working with underserved communities. A 2022 graduate of John Muir High School, Jade has been involved with CAP since she was in middle school. 
Jade currently serves as a peer advisor for the UC Berkeley Psychology Department and a Retention Coordinator for Cal’s Black Resource and Retention Center. She is passionate about being a resource for her community, especially in the sector of mental health for disadvantaged communities of color. The various CAP workshops hosted during the college admission process had an immeasurable impact on her essay drafting process. The CAP community has not only assisted Jade through the admissions process but also helped her navigate available resources upon arriving on campus. As a member of the Student Advisory Council, Jade aims to assist other students in successfully navigating their own paths in higher education
Katlyn Ong
University of the Pacific
she/her
Katlyn graduated from Blair High School in 2023 and is currently a second-year student at the University of the Pacific, majoring in Pre-Dentistry with a minor in Management. To maximize her college experience, Katlyn has made an effort to be active on campus. She currently works for Residential Life and Housing as a resident assistant (RA), participates in research focused on the effects of climate change on Trichoptera in specific creeks of Northern California, and is involved in several professional and leisure student organizations. Katlyn first attended CAP in her junior year of high school to receive help with resume building. After that, Katlyn attended CAP’s drop-in sessions regularly for guidance on the college application process, scholarship searches, and essay writing. The support she received from CAP was invaluable, helping Katlyn every step of the way. Grateful for the guidance she received, Katlyn is excited to give back by being part of the CAP Advisory Council, where she hopes to provide advice on making the most out of a college experience.
Lori Astourian
Pasadena City College
she/her
Lori graduated from Marshall Fundamental in 2023 and is currently a sophomore at Pasadena City College, working towards her associate degree with plans to transfer as a psychology major in Fall 2024. She aims to use her psychology degree as a foundation for pursuing a law degree, specializing in consumer rights or similar fields. Alongside her studies, Lori works part-time at a law firm, where she handles document review and supports lawyers on client cases. She also serves as a Girl Scout leader in the Armenian General Benevolent Union Scouts organization. Lori is actively involved in various clubs and programs, including CAP, the Community College Center Program (CCCP), Honors Program, and more. She first discovered CAP by attending a six-week College 101 course, which led her to participate in additional workshops. After graduating, she became part of I Heart College and received valuable guidance during the challenging transfer process. Grateful for the support she received and eager to give back, Lori joined CAP’s Advisory Council to help other students navigate the difficulties of college.
Shane Vandevelde
UCLA
he/him
Shane graduated from Pasadena High School in 2024 and is currently a first-year student at UCLA majoring in Computer Science. His journey with CAP began through the after-school drop-in program, which quickly became a second home for him. Throughout his senior year, Shane particularly valued CAP’s support during the most intensive periods of the college application process, including crucial guidance during winter break. At UCLA, Shane is eager to explore the intersection of technology and society through involvement in engineering, policymaking, and journalism clubs. His future aspirations lie in tech regulation and human-computer interaction, reflecting his interest in the relationship between technology and its impact on people. As a member of the CAP Student Advisory Council, Shane hopes to offer relevant advice while giving back to the program that supported him. He is committed to ensuring other students receive the same comprehensive support and resources that were critical in his own college journey.
Summer Hamilton
Pasadena City College
she/her
Summer graduated from Pasadena High School in 2022 and is currently a second-year student at Pasadena City College (PCC), majoring in Hospitality Management. As a first-generation college student, Summer’s journey toward higher education began through her involvement with CAP from middle school to high school. CAP played a pivotal role in guiding her through the college application process, and she even had the opportunity to lead a workshop during high school, where she shared her experience and offered advice to peers navigating their own paths to college.
Summer is actively engaged in campus life, participating in clubs such as The Wildlife Society and Associated Students. She also serves as a student ambassador for both PCC and the Angel City Women’s Football Club. Looking ahead, Summer plans to transfer to a four-year university, where she intends to major in Business Marketing with the goal of becoming a sports marketer at the professional level.
