My name is Jeremiah Thompson. Now, let’s all go on a journey together. Think back to that weird time called sixth grade. Do you remember that? I got a picture taken the moment Breakthrough came into my life in May 2013, and I was an awkward, gangly, insecure 6th grader. I was 11, attending my first Breakthrough event, an orientation session for all new students and families. My mom and I were blown away at what was shared with us – a 12-year promise to help me achieve my dreams.
Fast forward 7 years, and I was standing in front of the UT Tower as a high school graduate, celebrating that I will soon go off to college. Now, Breakthrough didn’t make me handsome like you see here, but it was a huge part of my life, so big that I call Breakthrough my second mom.
So how did this program help that younger Jeremiah? I’d start with the middle school summer program. Every day for four straight summers, I’d arrive early in the morning to people screaming at me- in happiness not in anger, I promise. Breakthrough staff and summer teachers were there cheering and clapping and, mind you, it’s like 7 AM at this point. Who does that?! They were getting up for us – every day – and that made us want to get up for them. I loved it, loved the energy, and…it was hard work. We studied math, reading, science, and more. I felt proud walking back into my middle school in the fall, saying to other students, “I’ve been grinding all summer, what have y’all been doing?”
I also got to meet my Breakthrough advisors. One in particular, Dorothy Vasquez. I first met Dorothy in middle school. My friends and I were a bit…confident, is the word I’d use. One day when we kept talking over other people, Dorothy paused and told us to remember our expectations. Essentially to knock it off. My friend said, “That’s mean!” Dorothy replied, and I’ll never forget it, “Sweetheart I’m not mean, I’m assertive and I care about you and every student here.” So, when I say Breakthrough is like a second mom, I mean it – sometimes setting boundaries, always caring, and just so happens to be super knowledgeable about college.
In high school I started to feel a lot of pressure. I’m not just the first in my family to aspire for college, I have four younger brothers and sisters who look up to me. Around that time, my real-life mom, Diana, became ill with a thyroid disease. She’s my whole world and the most loving, kind person in history. That’s when our family joke developed: “Let’s just ask Breakthrough!’ To this day, my mom will respond to any question I have about college, career, and life, “Call Breakthrough, call them now!”
In high school I saw Dorothy and other Breakthrough staff at our many after school workshops. We worked together like a family through everything from tutoring to college essays. My anxiety diminished, the pressure became more manageable, and I somehow was able to submit 15 applications to college.
Time for a fun fact: college is hard! My first semester dragged me and beat me up! I mean I lost my breath a couple times my first semester! But the biggest challenge was isolation. I left all my friends behind, started brand new. Breakthrough was there once again. My mom – and my Breakthrough moms – have been there to surround me with love and knowledge.
Through Breakthrough, I also had opportunities to explore my passions, especially at the intersection of education and business. As a Breakthrough Summer Teaching Fellow, I got a real-world glimpse into the teaching profession working with younger Breakthrough students. Through the Breakthrough Internship Network, I interned in the Human Resources department at Silicon Labs and loved getting to connect with students through the university relations program. That’s when I realized: my true passion is developing people and helping them reach their goals.
I often wonder what my life would be like if I didn’t have Breakthrough. It would be a series of “what ifs.” What if I didn’t get good grades? What if I didn’t register for the right classes? What if I couldn’t handle the pressure of being the very first in my family to go to college, of being a role model for my younger siblings? What if I screw up? It’s not just about me, it’s about my family, my friends, my entire community. Breakthrough, like any good mom, has made those ‘what ifs’ turn into ‘I can do this.’ Having someone by my side who knows me, is wise, and yes, assertive, when I need them to be has been the greatest gift.
I am proud to share that I am a first-generation college graduate from the McCombs School of Business right here at UT Austin. I am still pushing forward, now earning my MBA at UT San Antonio, and I love my job at H-E-B. As the Internship and Bridges Program Coordinator, I help support designing curriculum, advocate for change, and help our interns and partners realize their vision for themselves and their career. I get to help others realize their dreams, just like Breakthrough helped me realize mine.
When I hear about the incredible Pathways to Opportunity Campaign, I’m excited that thousands more students will be able to find a home in the Breakthrough community. That more will be able to envision themselves going to college. That more will be able to defy expectations and realize their dreams. Thank you all for being here today and for listening to my perspective. You all, along with the Breakthrough students give me hope for a brighter future.
