Success Stories
Meet Leonardo
Leonardo, the first high school graduate in his family, is leading the way for his two younger brothers. Not only did Leo deal with the complexities of completing his senior year during the COVID-19 shut down, Leo also received a NVCH Scholarship Award for his college education at Napa Valley College (NVC).
In writing Leonardo’s letter of recommendation his AVID Teacher (Advancement Via Individual Determination) said: “His parents and his younger siblings are his main motivation to become a successful Latino in his community.”
With the support of his immediate family and the AVID family, Leonardo feels nothing can stop him in achieving his dreams.
What are Leonardo’s dreams? To help people. Leonardo is planning on majoring in psychology and is currently enrolled in five online classes at NVC.
Upon presenting the NVCH scholarship award, Leonardo commented that this was his first scholarship he’s ever received. We know it won’t be his last.
Congratulations Leonardo, may you continue to light the way for yourself, your family and your younger brothers.
Meet Leonardo
Leonardo, the first high school graduate in his family, is leading the way for his two younger brothers. Not only did Leo deal with the complexities of completing his senior year during the COVID-19 shut down, Leo also received a NVCH Scholarship Award for his college education at Napa Valley College (NVC).
In writing Leonardo’s letter of recommendation his AVID Teacher (Advancement Via Individual Determination) said: “His parents and his younger siblings are his main motivation to become a successful Latino in his community.”
With the support of his immediate family and the AVID family, Leonardo feels nothing can stop him in achieving his dreams.
What are Leonardo’s dreams? To help people. Leonardo is planning on majoring in psychology and is currently enrolled in five online classes at NVC.
Upon presenting the NVCH scholarship award, Leonardo commented that this was his first scholarship he’s ever received. We know it won’t be his last.
Congratulations Leonardo, may you continue to light the way for yourself, your family and your younger brothers.
Meet Natalie
Earlier this year Natalie received a congratulatory letter recognizing her 4.0 GPA achievement. Natalie’s Mother encourages her to “do good things and get good grades” and Natalie’s older sister, a UC Davis student, and her older brother, a New Tech High Senior, also support Natalie’s education.
With the onset of COVID, schooling changed with the shelter-in-place order but Natalie continues to excel. Math was her least favorite subject at the end of the last school year. Now it is her favorite subject. Natalie attends online classes with approximately 18 other students and does her homework in the afternoon.
Natalie’s excellence extends to the art world. For Mother’s Day, Natalie created a beautiful piece of artwork for her Mom portraying a Mama wolf and her cub. Then, during the summer, Natalie turned to her sketchbook and created drawings of landscapes, puppies, flowers and more. Natalie also loves to write stories; she says it excites her as her mind is allowed to “wander and create.”
A strong academic background, family support, resiliency during the pandemic and artistic talents, Natalie Duran has a bright and amazing future ahead of her.
Meet Natalie
Earlier this year Natalie received a congratulatory letter recognizing her 4.0 GPA achievement. Natalie’s Mother encourages her to “do good things and get good grades” and Natalie’s older sister, a UC Davis student, and her older brother, a New Tech High Senior, also support Natalie’s education.
With the onset of COVID, schooling changed with the shelter-in-place order but Natalie continues to excel. Math was her least favorite subject at the end of the last school year. Now it is her favorite subject. Natalie attends online classes with approximately 18 other students and does her homework in the afternoon.
Natalie’s excellence extends to the art world. For Mother’s Day, Natalie created a beautiful piece of artwork for her Mom portraying a Mama wolf and her cub. Then, during the summer, Natalie turned to her sketchbook and created drawings of landscapes, puppies, flowers and more. Natalie also loves to write stories; she says it excites her as her mind is allowed to “wander and create.”
A strong academic background, family support, resiliency during the pandemic and artistic talents, Natalie Duran has a bright and amazing future ahead of her.
Meet Joshua
Joshua celebrated his birthday just as the shelter In place orders took effect. While some people had difficulties adjusting to the new reality, Joshua learned new skills and found ways to help others.
Joshua started by sewing masks for his family. He had never sewn before and didn’t know anything about a sewing machine. Where did he learn the skill?
YouTube, of course.
Joshua said “by the end of the week, BAM, I made 22 masks for my family.”
Today, in addition to receiving school accolades for his distance learning and leading by example, Joshua is learning office, organization and communication skills by assisting our Resident Services Coordinator, Daisy Gomez.
“Joshua is always looking for opportunities, always wants to do something productive and he wants to have his own business when he gets older, I’m very, very proud of him. He’s a team leader“ said Daisy.
Christian, Joshua’s mother, is also very proud of her son. Growing up in Mexico Christian had few opportunities and believes “you can do anything you want to do.” Joshua and Christian demonstrate that belief every day.
Meet Joshua
Joshua celebrated his birthday just as the shelter In place orders took effect. While some people had difficulties adjusting to the new reality, Joshua learned new skills and found ways to help others.
Joshua started by sewing masks for his family. He had never sewn before and didn’t know anything about a sewing machine. Where did he learn the skill?
YouTube, of course.
Joshua said “by the end of the week, BAM, I made 22 masks for my family.”
Today, in addition to receiving school accolades for his distance learning and leading by example, Joshua is learning office, organization and communication skills by assisting our Resident Services Coordinator, Daisy Gomez.
“Joshua is always looking for opportunities, always wants to do something productive and he wants to have his own business when he gets older, I’m very, very proud of him. He’s a team leader“ said Daisy.
Christian, Joshua’s mother, is also very proud of her son. Growing up in Mexico Christian had few opportunities and believes “you can do anything you want to do.” Joshua and Christian demonstrate that belief every day.
Meet Blaize
Ten years ago, Blaize Boles and his girlfriend submitted a NVCH application for the new Arroyo Grande Villas (AGV) in Yountville. Their application was rejected due to lack of documentation; Blaize said it was a good life lesson.
They resubmitted their paperwork, were approved and the two of them, along with their baby girl moved into their brand new home.
While living at AGV, Blaize worked full time in the restaurant sector AND went to college. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sonoma State in 2018 and started working as an Accountant at the Carneros Inn & Spa.
However, Blaize wanted to do more and started researching law school options. He took the LSAT and applied to law schools in December 2019 and started receiving replies in January 2020.
Every law school he applied to accepted him.
Moreover, the University of Arizona Law School offered Blaize a full ride scholarship and the young couple, now with two children, gave notice to NVCH and moved to Tucson this year for Blaize’s post graduate law school.
Today, Blaize is taking 16 units across 5 courses in Civil Procedure, Legal Writing and Research, Contracts, Torts and Academic and Professional Development. Blaize says: “What I enjoy most about law school are the people I’m surrounded by. Everyone is driven, intelligent, and thoughtful. It is great to be surrounded by such accomplished individuals.”
Congratulations Blaize!
Meet Blaize
Ten years ago, Blaize Boles and his girlfriend submitted a NVCH application for the new Arroyo Grande Villas (AGV) in Yountville. Their application was rejected due to lack of documentation; Blaize said it was a good life lesson.
They resubmitted their paperwork, were approved and the two of them, along with their baby girl moved into their brand new home.
While living at AGV, Blaize worked full time in the restaurant sector AND went to college. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sonoma State in 2018 and started working as an Accountant at the Carneros Inn & Spa.
However, Blaize wanted to do more and started researching law school options. He took the LSAT and applied to law schools in December 2019 and started receiving replies in January 2020.
Every law school he applied to accepted him.
Moreover, the University of Arizona Law School offered Blaize a full ride scholarship and the young couple, now with two children, gave notice to NVCH and moved to Tucson this year for Blaize’s post graduate law school.
Today, Blaize is taking 16 units across 5 courses in Civil Procedure, Legal Writing and Research, Contracts, Torts and Academic and Professional Development. Blaize says: “What I enjoy most about law school are the people I’m surrounded by. Everyone is driven, intelligent, and thoughtful. It is great to be surrounded by such accomplished individuals.”
Congratulations Blaize!
