TRANSITIONS
Spring 2010
Volume 1, Issue 1
Inside this Issue:
What is Puente?
Puente Cabinet
2
Student Spotlight
3
Program Highlights
4
* Puente community college students transfer to four-year colleges and
universities at greater rates (47%) than their peers (27%).
Hot Trends
5
Source: California Community College Chancellor’s Office, California
Postsecondary Education Commission, The Puente Project
He Said ….She Said
5
Voices of the Future
6
From the Heart
7
Putting Life into Perspective
7
Program Information
8
The Puente Program helps students stay on course toward
their academic goals as well as preparing them with the
necessary experience and skills needed to transfer to 4-year
colleges and universities. Through Puente, students are
prepared to become leaders and mentors of future
generations. *
What Do We Do In Puente?
The Puente Program offers many great opportunities, but most important is the support and the encouragement provided by the Advisors and the members of the club. Puente is not only an academic program,
it is also about fun. In addition to taking English and Guidance classes together, we participate in many
activities such as Family and Friends night, student/mentor mixers, recognition dinners, community service, college campus tours, and much more. Everyone in Puente is like family, and we help each other
through hard times. We are all here watching and supporting each other even when we don't notice.
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PUENTE CABINET
Cindy Ortiz, President
Jessica Espinosa, Secretary
Academic/Scholarship Committee
Fundraising Committee
Fundraising Committee
Community Service Committee
Newsletter Committee
Kimberly Cervantes , Treasurer
Community Service Committee
Academic/Scholarship
Jerry Rojo , ICC Rep
Fundraising Committee
Newsletter Committee
Community Service Committee:
Committee: This
This committee is designed to
identify & coordinate individual/
group volunteer opportunities for
students.
committee is designed
to provide academic
support and resources
for Puente students.
Luis Diaz, Vice President
Academic/Scholarship Committee
Marketing/Newsletter
Melissa Barajas, Liaison
Community Service Committee
Committee:
Fundraising Committee:
This committee is designed to develop and
publish a newsletter for
the Puente Program and
raising awareness about
Puente.
This committee is designed to
organize fundraising events to
support club activities and
provide scholarships for
Puente students.
Milagros Magana, Liaison
Academic/Scholarship Committee
Transitions
Tuan Trinh, Liaison
Newsletter Committee
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Student Spotlight
“Puente Club President and First Cohort Student, Cindy Ortiz, Graduates and Transfers!”
Interview by Jerry Rojo, Features Editor/ICC Representative
Q: What were your duties as the Puente Club President?
A: My duties included leading meetings, preparing and sending agendas for each meeting to club officers and advisors.
Also, calling emergency and special meetings when such meetings were considered necessary. I made sure all officers were
following through with their duties. I kept in communication with all club officers and kept them informed about important
announcements. It was time consuming and sometimes stressful, but it was all worth it because we got a lot done this
semester!
Q: How do you feel about your experience in Puente throughout your years at Victor Valley College?
A: I feel more confident about myself. I leaned that anything can be accomplished if you give all your effort and
don’t give up.
Q: What was your most memorable moment in Puente?
A: My most memorable moment in Puente was being nominated to attend the 2008 Summer Leadership Conference at
UCR. It made me feel successful and at the same time important because I was chosen to represent the Puente Program at
Victor Valley College. After attending the conference, I saw myself as a leader.
Q: Where are you transferring and what is your major ?
A: I will transfer to UCR in fall 2010 and I am going to major in Psychology.
Q: What is your career goal?
A: My career goal is to become a high school counselor to inspire and motivate teens to continue their education at a
four-year institution. I would also like to coordinate a program or club such as the Puente Program/Club.
Q: What are three of your successful study habits?
A: Time management, avoiding procrastination, and attending class every day. In order to get good grades and not be
stressed I either used a detailed calendar or an agenda and sometimes planned my time for the day. I recorded important
deadlines, events and/or activities in my calendar and agenda and made sure to look at upcoming dates. Attending class
every day is one of the most basic things you can do to get good grades. Attending class helped me to understand how
everything fit together and allowed me to take notes needed for tests and assignments.
Q: Who has been a great inspiration in your life?
A: My two major inspirations are Ms. Eartha Johnson (Counselor, Instructor and Club Advisor), and Mrs. Judy Solis
(Instructor and Club Advisor). When I felt like giving up, they told me to stay strong, not to give up and to continue my
education at a four-year institution. They encouraged me to work hard to get good grades and keep up my G.P.A. They
encouraged me to run for President because they believed in me. They always encouraged me to move forward in life to
achieve my dreams and goals. Thanks to all their love and support, I feel confident and feel like a great leader. I now know
the sky is the limit and that I am capable of doing anything I want to do.
Q: Do you have any advice for new Puentistas?
A: Never give up because there is a great future ahead of you. Do your best at everything you do, and remember that you
are capable of accomplishing your dreams. All it takes is courage, motivation and hard work. Always remember
“SI SE PUEDE!”
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Program Highlights
Puente students after
community service on “Global Youth
Service Day” on April 24th, 2010.
In Spring ‟10 Puente students
celebrate their birthday in April at
the Puente Club General meeting.
Puente students at CSU, Long
Beach in Spring „10. Students also
visited UC San Diego and San
Diego State during a two-day trip.
Statewide Puente Club President, Radel
Aguinaga (right), and his mentor, Chris
Agard, at the Fall ‟09 Student/Mentor
Dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Puente Cabinet fundraising in the
Student Activities Center during the
fourth annual Caesar Chavez Day
Celebration on March 25th, 2010.
Puente students at the UCR
Motivational Conference in Fall ‟09.
Over 850 students from Puente
programs throughout southern
California participated in the day long
conference.
Transitions
The first cohort of Puente students
in Fall „08 at the UCLA Motivational
conference.
Cynthia Ochoa (right) and mentor,
Yoko Inagi, receive recognition as
the Spring „10 Family and Friends
Bowling Night team winners.
Jaime Ruiz (left) and Rajeev
Peterson (right) with mentor, GH
Javaheripour, VVC Vice-President,
at Spring „09 Recognition Dinner.
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Hot Trends
Must Haves For Summer and Fall!
You’re probably wondering what the hottest trends are right now. Well look no more! Here are 4 items that are
not only hot this summer but you can also rock them through the fall season.
Rompers:
Blazers:
$14.50 (Forever 21)
$14.50 (Forever 21)
Straight Zipper Pants :
Plaid Woven Shirt:
$37.90 (Forever 21)
$21.90 (Forever 21)
Fashion Commentators: Rubi Garcia, Jerry Rojo, Tuan Trinh
♥He Said...She Said♥
“Why Should We Date”
He Said:
When asked this question, I found it difficult to answer at first. Since I am no master in the topic of dating, I
decided to ask myself what the world would be like if dating was not a part of life. What came to mind were
negative images that depicted couples who were not in love with each other, but were arranged to be together.
I realize that dating is the beginning or end to a relationship, depending on the chemistry of the two. Dating is
a way to get to know someone and find out who that person is and how they will act under certain stressful
situations. So do not be afraid to date, put yourself out there, because you never know what you will learn
about yourself and others. Featured Writer: Daniel Carrillo
She Said:
We live in a world where the word ―dating‖ can mean so many things. There are several different types of
relationships that are now becoming socially acceptable. No matter who I am dating the term itself means one
thing; to establish a meaningful relationship with another person. Sometimes I may find myself feeling lonely
or not good enough or maybe needing a little extra confidence. I find it is always a confidence booster to
surround myself with other people who can recognize my good qualities when I may not be able to. When
dating another person, I am able to put my trust in that person and share my thoughts, fears, and aspirations.
Doing so will boost emotional well being and give me the energy to remain in a positive state of mind.
Featured Writer: Kristina Schwab
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Voices o
Students who are in the Puente Program experience changes and improvement in many different ways through
classes as well as support of each other. Some may view the program as their second family, and some truly
believe that the Puente Program is where they belong. Guidance and academic support are what Puente is all
about. Students work hard every day to reach their goals because they know if they stumble and fall on the way,
Puente will always be there to catch them. - Tuan Trinh, Acquisitions Editor/Puente Club Liaison
―Puente has unlocked a new passage in my life. It has given me new
resources that I would never have
thought of taking; furthermore, it has
given me a lucid view of my goals in
life.‖
"Puente is a place to belong and to be accepted, a place to learn values,
teamwork, dedication and hard work. It is not
only a program to help students learn how to
read and write, it is also a place to be leaders; to
learn how to serve and to be good and
responsible people."
Luis Torres– Business Administration /Math Major
Jaime Ruiz– Nursing Major
―Puente is a great program and very helpful to all students. It has
helped me figure out what I want to
do and where I want to go. It has
changed my mental state of thinking
and has helped me grow in many
different ways. I have learned a lot
about myself and who I am in the
process.‖
―Puente is the bridge that unified my dream of transferring with my
abilities and continues to affirm this reality.‖
Kitcia Bodarth—Art/Psychology Major
Amanda Uzueta—Psychology Major
―Not only does the Puente Program help students to improve their
study habits so that they could have a
promising future, but it also helps to
improve me as a person. Puente gives
you the chance to be successful; you
just have to take it.‖
―Puente is not just a bridge to a higher learning institute, but a
bridge to a better me.‖
Jasmine Ochoa—Psychology Major
Daniel Carrillo—Biology Major
Transitions
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♥ From the Heart ♥
“What is your Purpose in Life?”
A semester has just ended, and a new one is on its way. You seek advice from
advisors and mentors who are genuinely interested in guiding you. Rushing to register
for classes, you decide which ones are most convenient for reaching your goals. The
more you ponder, you ask yourself, what is my goal? You may have a career goal, but
what are your life’s purposes? The Bible says that God has placed a desire for eternity in
every person’s heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Our purpose in life is to fulfill that desire, but
the only way to do so is through his Son, Jesus Christ. When you surrender to Jesus, you
will soon realize the life you were meant to live. ―For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a
hope.‖ Jeremiah 29:11.
Featured Writer: Jessica Espinosa
Putting Life Into Perspective
“How I manage being a mom, working and attending school at the same time”
Being a working mother and attending college is not the easiest thing to do,
but it can definitely be done. I have a beautiful baby boy who is two years old, a
part-time job as a Sales Representative for a Title Company and I am also attending
Victor Valley College. To do all three jobs, I must definitely manage my time. I have a
weekly planner that helps me plan my days. I keep it with me all the time and it is where
I write what I need to do on a daily basis. I try to make sure I write everything down,
from the time I will be going to the gym to every homework assignment that is due. It
can be very hard to keep up, but if I write it all down, it makes my life a lot easier. There
are times when I’m trying to do my homework and answer a call from work and try to
feed my son at the same time, which drives me crazy and makes me want to quit, but
somehow I manage to do it all. When I’m done I feel a great accomplishment that helps
me through the rest of the day. I know that sometimes as a mother I have to leave my
children for so many hours and sometimes I notice my son trying to get my attention.
This makes me feel guilty, but I need to understand that all this effort, this work that I do
now, makes a better tomorrow.
Featured Writer: Jennifer Parra
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Spring 2010
Volume 1, Issue 1
Program Information
Fall Events:
Spring Events:
Club Events:
Feb 25th
Summer Events:
Student/Mentor Mixer
Mar. 26th
Cabinet meetings—are every 1st and
3rd Tuesday of each month in the SAC
1:15-2:30pm.
June:
Family and Friends Night
UCR Summer Leadership
Conference
April 24th
Sept
Student/Mentor Mixer
Transfer Success Day
Family and Friends Night
Oct
Community Service Day
General meetings—are every 2nd and
4th Thursday of each month in the SAC
1:15-2:30pm.
April 30th
July:
Leadership Retreat
BBQ
Aug:
May 12th-13th
Motivational Conference
New Student
College Campus Tour
Elections-6/10
Nov
May 7th
Career Awareness Day
Fundraising/Cesar Chavez Day-3/25
Community Service Day
Orientation & Training
June 10th
Recognition Dinner
Dec
Recognition Dinner
Puente Club Cabinet
Leadership Retreat
Puente Sponsors:
Newsletter Staff:
How to Join :
19201 Bear Valley Rd.
Acquisitions Editor…………………..Tuan Trinh
Features Editor…...…………………….Jerry Rojo
Assistant Editor………………….……Cindy Ortiz
Assistant Editor…...……………..Kristina Schwab
Associate Editor.………………………...Judy Solis
Editor-in-Chief……………………Eartha Johnson
Target
Puente Program:
Apple Valley, Ca. 92308
Complete an online application:
J’s Country Floral
http://www.vvc.edu/puente
20162 Hwy. 18, Suite K
Puente Club:
Apple Valley, Ca. 92307
Contact the Puente Cabinet:
Parra’s Key Shop
vvcpc@hotmail.com
12351 Mariposa Rd.
Victorville, Ca. 92395
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