MG Bertrand
Since graduating, MG has taught at two elementary schools in East Oakland: Bridges Academy at Melrose and St. Elizabeth Elementary School. He is dedicated to student voice. At Bridges, he created and oversaw the student council, supporting representatives in planning school-wide initiatives and communicating with leadership. To empower 3rd-5th grade students to pursue their college goals, he designed and co-coordinated college and leadership assemblies. The presenters included Liliana Iglesias, Director of UC Berkeley’s Undocumented Students Program, and Dr. César Cruz, co-founder of Homies Empowerment. As a first grade teacher at […]
Daniel Acree
As a graduating Student Veteran still attached to the U.S. Army Reserves, Staff Sergeant Acree continues his personal mission to provide his comrades, as well as all others, with improved life chances by advocating for higher education. Daniel is pursuing a single-subject teaching credential with a Masters in Education at the University of California, Davis. He would like to be a lifelong thinker, joker, educator, and organizer. Daniel and his partner, Alayna Fredricks, enjoy their happy little life and home in sunny wherever-the-road-leads, California.
Alec Kassin
Alec, the Departmental Citation recipient for 2016, graduated with Highest Honors after a longer-than-expected college career, marked by a high of spending a year studying abroad in France, and a low of taking a year off from Berkeley due to a back injury. In the summer after his graduation, he plans to work as a camp counselor for an American-style summer camp in Japan, helping Japanese youth learn English by participating in American sports. In October, he will begin work in LinkedIn’s Business Leadership Program, rotating through multiple sales units […]
Sha Quasha Morgan
Because she is passionate about being a model for success for students that come from the same background, Sha Quasha will pursue counseling for low income, first generation college students. Following summer, Sha Quasha hopes to work either as a College and Career Counselor in the Oakland Unified School District or as an Academic Advisor within the community college system.Subsequently, she plans to pursue a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis on either Child and Family Welfare or Community Mental Health. Sha Quashas ultimate goal is to provide more […]
Kelly Naze
After graduating with honors and ending a lifelong swimming career, Kelly returned home to Denver, Colorado, where she will put her competitive spirit and passion for planning to work as she starts her own business as a wedding planner.
Vanessa Padilla
The summer after graduation Vanessa immersed herself in French language and culture while living in Paris. On her return to the states, Vanessa continues to intern for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, serving constituents in San Francisco. Vanessa plans to pursue a degree in environmental law, so that she can advocate for people who face environmental crises like those she addressed in her senior thesis.