Student Stories and Campus News
Read inspiring stories from De Anza students and learn about campus initiatives supporting undocumented students.
De Anza Student Stories
These videos were recorded with De Anza students in 2017. Captions are available in English and Spanish – click "CC" or "Settings" to select a language.
Manuel: "What's the future going to look like?"
Itzel: "People are afraid right now"
Brenda: "(At) De Anza ... you feel supported 110 percent"
Congratulations to Itzel and Brenda for earning $25,000 scholarships from TheDream.US !
- Read the story in La Voz News
- Learn more about National Scholarship Awards from TheDream.US.
Campus News
Student Commencement Speaker: "This Country Was Built on Immigrants"
Manuel Alonzo Barrios, a member of De Anza's graduating class of 2019, shared his personal story with thousands
of fellow graduates, relatives, friends and supporters during the 2019 commencement ceremony. He described the experience of coming to the United States at age 11, saying he
often felt like "a small rock that was being pushed downstream by a rushing river."
"For me, the most significant challenge has been this little secret – the secret of over 11 million people in the U.S. – the secret of being undocumented in this country," said Barrios.
Barrios said he found support when he came to De Anza and became involved with HEFAS and other programs on campus.
"No longer did I have to keep hiding in the shadows," he said. "Best of all, I found my purpose and was inspired to continue to chase my dreams."
Barrios, who earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts at De Anza, plans to become a dentist and open a clinic that's also a resource center for underserved and immigrant families. His determination to succeed, along with his service as a student leader and mentor, was recognized when he was awarded the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award, which provides $20,000 to a De Anza student who transfers to the University of California, Santa Cruz.
"I will never forget how De Anza built for me, as well as for my fellow classmates, a small village. A village that treats you with respect that allows you to express yourself. A second family that is willing to support you no matter what, and that everywhere you go, you will always be welcome and treated with love and kindness," Barrios said.
Urging his fellow graduates to remember the sacrifices of their families and loved ones, Barrios drew applause when he added: "This country was built on immigrants, and at some point in their lives they came to this country following a dream, with empty hands filled with hopes." He continued:
"Remember that the weapon against ignorance is knowledge. To meet difficulties we must have courage, to face the improbable, we must have dignitity. To aspire for greater power we must love to serve and understand humanity. Learning is a process, not an event. If we think that learning will stop, once we walk this stage and get a degree, it is not true. We should never stop!"
De Anza Grad Earns "Immigrants Rising" Scholarship
Pancho Antonio knew hardship when he was growing up in the Mixteco-speaking indigenous community
of Oaxaca, Mexico. At age 19, he made the difficult journey to the United States because
he wanted to pursue higher education.
Pancho first enrolled in adult school in East San Jose, where he did so well that he was hired to teach English and math to adult students.
After coming to De Anza, he graduated with honors in 2017 and served as a student speaker at the Latinx Grad Ceremony. Pancho transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where he is majoring in ethnic studies. He plans to become a professor specializing in indigenous cultures.
Immigrants Rising is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that helps undocumented students pursue education and career goals, so they can better support their families and communities. Pancho is one of eight college students who received a scholarship of up to $7,000 from the group in 2018. They are selected for academic excellence, financial need and community impact.
