SAC Student Named DREAMer of the Day by National Organization

Life was very difficult for Cristina Tovar when she first arrived to the United States as a young girl from Mexico. She spoke no English when she entered kindergarten and ended up having to repeat the year.

However as the years passed, she became more comfortable with American culture and she pushed herself to do well in the classroom. By the time Cristina finished high school, she was in the top three percent of her class and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

Her inspiring story of overcoming the odds to graduate with honors is the reason TheDream.US, the nation's largest college access and success program for undocumented youth, recently recognized Cristina as its "DREAMer of the Day." The national organization features a profiles of college DREAMers to publicize the plight of the students and encourage Congress to pass legislation to resolve the crisis the students face.

Tovar said she first learned about TheDREAM.US when she was researching scholarship opportunities last year.

"They were one of the only scholarships that helped (undocumented students)," said Tovar, who added "they help pay up to your bachelor's degree as long as you have a 3.0 GPA and are a full-time student."

Tovar was awarded a scholarship and applied to San Antonio College, which is a partner institution with TheDream.US.

In February this year, TheDream.US contacted Tovar to ask her if she would give them permission to publicize her story. She agreed and in April, she was highlighted as a "DREAMer of the Day."

While she is honored to be recognized, Tovar says that is not the reason she agreed to share her struggles and accomplishments. "I hope that by telling my story, it will help a lot of people see they can go to college," said Tovar. "They can do it."

You can read Cristina's story at http://www.thedream.us/news/cristina-tovar