Breakthrough Experiences
Staff Spotlight: Carly Boal
A Message From Carly Boal Program Coordinator Hi there, I’m Carly and I am proudly from Massachusetts and a graduate from the University of Maine. I studied English and Psychology and jumped into working in education after graduating. I’ve gained experience in...
Introducing Breakthrough’s Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Manager
A Message From Matt Gray (REDI) Manager Hey beautiful people! Matt Gray here. I am the new Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Manager here at Breakthrough Central Texas (BTCTX). Not only am I new to this position, but this position is new to Breakthrough...
Staff Spotlight: JaNica Gothwright
JaNica Gothwright Program Coordinator JaNica is a passionate individual with almost 20 years of community service work. Before joining the Breakthrough family, she worked at San Marcos Job Corps for almost 10 years as an Advisor supporting students with...
Alumni Spotlight: James Carter
"I think often of the quote that says 'talent is equally dispersed but opportunity is not' and I think opportunity to achieve as much as I've been able to is in part because of the support and advocacy I've received from Breakthrough over the last 15 or so years." -...
20th Anniversary Recap: Arianna Jones
During our 20th Anniversary Celebration, our speakers took us through a 20 year journey through their own perspectives. Follow along as we go down memory lane! "As if Breakthrough didn’t have enough to celebrate – the next four years were landmark years, when all the...
Promotion Spotlight: Amely Vela
Amely Vela Associate Director of Programs As a first-generation college graduate, Amely is a proud Breakthrough Alumna and proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where she holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science. In 2014, Amely decided to give back to...
Alumni Spotlight: Carlos De La Cruz
"I feel honored to be a part of this community. From middle school to graduating college with a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, to beginning my career at Tesla, it would not have been possible if it wasn't for Breakthrough. I can't even...
Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Reyes
"In 7th grade, I and others took the monumental decision to sign a 12-year contract with an unknown non-profit that started in a small shack. I have never been so sure of that decision to sign that required contract so long ago."Q & AHow does it feel to have...
Creating a Lasting Legacy: Jabrell Scott
When Jabrell first joined Breakthrough in 6th grade, little did he know he would be creating a legacy for his family — one his youngest brother could follow, and eventually his own children. Today, he describes becoming a first-generation college graduate as one of his biggest accomplishments. He recalls his middle school summers taking Bus 18 to the UT campus, an experience that led him to become an AmeriCorps summer teaching fellow further allowing him to give back to the community by working with kids whose shoes he was once in. Fast forward 4 years, Jabrell now holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Jabrell was one of more than 50 Breakthrough students who became the first in the family to earn a college degree during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeremiah Thompson: Graduating high school and transitioning to college during COVID-19
“To say being a high school senior in 2020 is a unique experience is a shocking understatement. I am one of thousands of first-generation college aspirants in Central Texas navigating my high school senior year in the age of Coronavirus. This is my story.”
Navigating the Unknown: Graduating high school and transitioning to college during COVID-19
Jennifer Rodriguez is a recent graduate of Manor Senior High School Class of 2020, and has been part of the Breakthrough program since she was in 6th grade. This coming fall, Jennifer will attend the University of Texas at Austin where she will pursue a degree in...
My Breakthrough Experience: Stevie Martinez-Farias
Just last summer, Stevie spent 6 weeks teaching English Language Arts and Tech Research to a group of Breakthrough 9th graders. Wide eyed and eager to learn, she saw the same gleam of curiosity and excitement in her students that she remembered in herself. Nine years ago Stevie joined Breakthrough with the same college dreams as her students. Today, she is a junior at Bennington College and will be walking the stage in May 2021.
Joe Anthony Cruz: My Breakthrough Experience
Coming from a single parent household, I am no stranger to hard work. Growing up, I saw my mother work countless hours to support our family. Her ability to see every struggle as an opportunity gave me optimism for the future despite the hardships we faced. So, when I heard about this program called Breakthrough that promised to help me from 6th grade through college, my mom and I realized that this was the key to unlocking our shared dream.
Harley’s Breakthrough Summer Experience
Harley is a Breakthrough 8th grader who has now spent two summers with Breakthrough. Here is how she described her Breakthrough Summer Experience: “When I first heard of Breakthrough at school, I was a little afraid. They said they would help us become the first in...
My Breakthrough Experience: Marissa Peña
Thank you for listening to my story and for supporting Breakthrough. You are giving me and other students the opportunity of a lifetime: To be able to graduate from college and make our mark on the world.
Meet Marquise
My name is Marquise, and I am currently a 7th grade Science Teacher for Team 2 at this beautiful UT Site. This is my second year as a Breakthrough teacher and I am proud to say that I am a product of Breakthrough. This means that 10 years ago, I was in the same spot as the students you will meet today. Like these students, I am also on my own path to become a first-generation college graduate.
Breakthrough Experience: Barbara Falcon
I come from a family of three. I have one younger brother and a hard-working mom who came to this country to escape the violence of her homeland. Growing up it felt like the path I was destined to take had been pre-determined by the ethnicity, geography...
Breakthrough Experience: James Carter
James Carter joined Breakthrough in 2007 when he was just a 6th grader at Kealing Middle School. Six years later, he graduated from St. Stephen’s and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Honors in English Literature from Rice University.