Dreaming Big and Shining Bright
Think Together proudly supports older youth by carving a path toward higher education with our 2025 Beyond Think Together Scholarship Award. This year, ten Think Together high school seniors across California were awarded a $3,000 scholarship to support their continued education.
These students were chosen because of their compelling stories about how expanded learning inspired them to unlock new potential and prepared them for a prosperous future.
Think Together serves over 8,400 high school students annually with college and career readiness program offerings, resume and career exploration workshops, college campus tours, internships and much more. Through these programs, students receive the tools necessary to graduate with all life options available to them.
Learn more about our scholarship recipients and their Think Together story below.
Mya Rivera
Mya describes her Think Together journey as a life-changing experience that shaped her personal growth and academic success. With the help of program tutors, Mya became self-assured and began enjoying subjects she once found difficult. Beginning this fall, Mya will be attending Riverside City College. She aspires to become a mentor and create programs like Think Together that drive meaningful change.
“My experience with Think Together will always stay with me, motivating me to inspire others to find the same sense of belonging and growth.”
Valeria Jimenez-Fuentes
Think Together was a second home for Valeria; a place where she found guidance, encouragement and unforgettable memories. Valeria credits the program for shining a light on her desire to become a private chef. She will be following her culinary dreams at the Culinary Institute of America and hopes to create quality, healthy food.
“I cannot imagine my life without the great impact Think Together had on me and many of my friends. This program saved my social skills and turned my high school experience into something positive and ever-growing.”
Parshv Patel
High school is already a challenging place to navigate, and for Parshv, it was even more difficult as someone new to the country. Think Together provided a safe place for him to adjust and assist others facing similar struggles. Parshv committed to the University of California, Berkeley and plans to pursue data science so he can learn to use technology to solve real-world problems.
“Think Together transformed me from a struggling student into a leader, mentor, and believer in a community. It taught me that education isn’t just individual achievement; it’s uplifting others. That’s a lesson I’ll carry forward, empowering those waiting to hear, ‘You’re good at this, you just need to trust yourself.’”
Lucas Krause
As an avid pool player, Lucas found a community at Think Together with fellow pool fans. For him, finding a group of people who shared the same interest was an opportunity to create lasting friendships. Lucas will be heading to California State University, Fresno to major in architecture.
“I am beyond grateful for the Think Together program and what they have done for me and the struggles they have helped me overcome.”
Briana Aguilera
For nine years, Think Together remained a haven for Briana. The program helped her step outside her comfort zone and realize she was capable of much more than she believed. Briana aspires to become an orthodontist and prove that dreams are possible no matter where you come from. She is beginning her higher education journey at the University of California, Riverside in the upcoming school year.
“I worried that I wouldn’t be good enough or that I would fail, but Think Together became a place where I was surrounded by people who saw my potential even when I couldn’t.”
Miguel del Cid Martinez
Having only been in the U.S. for a few years, it was a whole new world for Miguel when he walked through Think Together’s doors. He discovered that the program was much more than academic tutoring; it was a life-changing experience that gave him courage to socialize. Miguel has his sights set on California Polytechnic State University to study engineering.
“I joined Think Together primarily to perform better in school, but I quickly discovered that the staff was very kind. They were interested in knowing my needs and provided me assistance, which made a genuine impact on my studies.”
Jadira Alvarado
Despite Jadira speaking limited English, language was no barrier for her as her Think Together mentors helped her persevere. Jadira is grateful to Think Together for inspiring her to set ambitious goals. Jadira has chosen to attend Colorado State University to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
“Think Together is more than just an afterschool program; it’s a place that truly makes you feel safe, supported, and understood no matter the challenges you are facing.”
Hailey Quintero
“You have a voice worth hearing” were the words said by a Think Together mentor that will always stay with Hailey. These words made her feel seen and encouraged her to be a strong leader. Hailey is passionate about performing arts and looks forward to pursuing a career in that field at California State University, Fullerton.
“I will always be grateful for Think Together. It gave me confidence, direction, and purpose. Now, I am ready to take what I learned at Think Together and make a difference in my future.”
Think Together is filled with pride as these future odd-changers make their dreams a reality. Think Together celebrates the scholarship recipients who have not only achieved remarkable milestones but are also a testament to what hard work and determination can do!
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
