FCE Class of 2018 • UC Berkeley 2013
For Sonia Sanchez, FCE is a crucial part of what makes home home. Sonia moved from Mexico at the age of 8, and says that she wouldn’t have known about how to attend higher ed without help from FCE: “FCE opened the door of opportunity.” Sonia started with FCE in her freshman year of high school in 2004, graduated from high school in 2008, and went on to attend UC Berkeley, where she studied American studies with a focus in education.
Because Sonia stayed local for university, she was able to continue to visit and regularly communicate with those at FCE: “Whenever I needed to study in college, I would go over to FCE”. Since graduating from college, she has become a teacher, works in child development, and works for a Bay Area nonprofit. Her work with FCE hasn’t stopped, either. After being part of the student leadership team with FCE as a high schooler, Sonia became a very accomplished public speaker. Over the years she has spoken to many donors and has been a noted speaker at galas and fundraisers for FCE. By now, Sonia has been involved with FCE to various capacities for about 15 years. “I can’t get away from FCE!”
Sonia’s nephew–Damien Flores–is now at FCE as a student. He started in STEAM and is currently nearing the end of his freshman year of high school. Sonia keeps in touch with FCE through Damien as well as through her former college counselor, Michelle. For Sonia, the best thing about FCE is the strong non-discriminatory community. “FCE opens doors and provides family for people that need it.”