March 12, 2008
As the first one in his family to go to college, Octavio Gomez credits the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme for inspiring and enabling him to realize his full potential.
"It's a very big deal because I'm the first in my family to graduate from high school and the first one to go to college," said the 17-year-old, who has three sisters and one brother. "My parents didn't even graduate from elementary school, so to them this means a lot. I hope this sets a positive example for my siblings."
His dream to attend college became a reality in January, when Octavio was honored with the Dwight Brydie Scholarship at the California Workforce Association's eighth annual Youth Conference in Long Beach.
The $1,000 scholarship — named in memory of longtime California Employment Development Department employee Dwight Brydie — encourages educational and work force advancement for youths planning to continue their educations after high school.
A senior at Channel Islands High School, Octavio works at Vallarta Supermarket as a cashier and plans to attend a four-year university after he graduates.
He hopes to attend CSU Northridge, said Octavio, who is considering a field in accounting because math is his favorite subject. "Otherwise, I would like to major in something involving helping youths who are struggling in life and are blind to see that there is still hope for almost anything."
Empowering the young
The scholarship was made possible by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, where Octavio is involved in the Youth Empowerment Program — YEP.
Funded by the Ventura County Workforce Investment Board, which oversees work force development in Ventura County, YEP prepares youths 16 to 21 for specific career paths according to their individual needs and aptitudes.
"Twenty-five young people applied for this, and he is one of five to receive it," said Erin Antrim, director of delinquency prevention, who runs YEP at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme. "He has a drive to succeed and will not give up until he accomplishes his goal. He will make it very far in life because he has the will, drive and determination to succeed."
The program helps high school students with such tasks as improving their cover letters, dressing properly for an interview, requesting a letter of recommendation and what to say during an a interview, Octavio said.
"It helps you discover yourself and what your strong points are," Octavio said. "The program is a big benefit for high school students because you get the chance to get your first job, support, scholarships and the pros and cons of what you should do in life."
A positive role model
Octavio is a positive role model at the club because he shares much in common with many of the members, Antrim said.
"He comes from a lower socio-economic background, he is a first-generation high school graduate, he moved here from Mexico and dealt with the language barrier," she said. "The younger kids can look up to him and say, He comes from the same background I do; if he can make it, so can I.'"
Octavio is a bright young man who is always smiling and appreciative of everything the Boys & Girls Club has done for him, Antrim added.
"The program inspired him to see the potential he has within himself," she said. "He was looking for direction, and the club was able to provide that for him. We are so proud of Octavio."
Octavio also has been involved in extracurricular activities such as tae kwon do and track and field, said Mariana Cazares, 23, of Oxnard. She is Octavio's academic and career adviser at the Boys & Girls Club.
When she told her students from other high schools that Octavio from Channel Islands High had won the $1,000 Dwight Brydie Scholarship, they were encouraged to apply for the scholarship themselves, Cazares said.
"I'm very proud of Octavio," she said. "He is a true role model to other youth."
'The best feeling'
When Octavio received the call from Cazares that he had won the scholarship, it "was the best feeling I ever had," he said. "Words can't describe how I felt that day, and I couldn't wait to tell my parents what I won.
"It was like I wanted to tell everyone I knew about the spectacular prize that I won."
He said he believes his inner drive comes from his parents, as well as everyone else who believes in him.
"Seeing my parents work so hard in the fields motivates me to do good in school and stay away from bad influences and intentions," said Octavio, whose mother and father work in local fields picking raspberries, strawberries, jalapeños and other seasonal produce. "Natural desire doesn't come naturally but by the way you see yourself and others around you to be the person who you want to be, and how far you would like to make it in life."
— To nominate a local youth, in his or her teens or 20s, to be profiled in our Young Leaders community series, e-mail information to jprice@VenturaCountyStar.com.
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