Another Raul Vargas Story of Success

Re “Raising their Sights” by Jose Cardenas (Jan. 12):

In 1980, my daughter’s high school counselor told her “not to bother” applying for enrollment at USC. Although she had her heart set on going there, he ignored her 4.0 grade average and encouraged her to go to a junior college. She was a minority student from a single-parent, low-income home; she needn’t bother to apply. She applied anyway, and when she was accepted to the USC School of Journalism, she was stunned--and completely unprepared. Her counselor had never mentioned financial aid, so she had not applied for any.

Friends referred me to Raul Vargas, and with his guidance and constant support, she was awarded a scholarship by the Mexican American Alumni Assn. and shown how to find her way through other types of financial aid options.

Whenever she was discouraged and stressed, she went to Vargas, and he listened and helped her. I have no idea where my daughter would be today without his help. Thank you so much for your recognition of this treasure.

JERI LOPEZ

Toluca Lake