Alexia Gisell Lamarque is a freshman student at Chabot College whose roots go back to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. At the age of 12, her parents brought her to Hayward for a better life and because her little brother was sick, in constant need of a neurologist. Much like me, also brought over at age 12, she put her nose to the grindstone and became proficient in English quickly, reading and watching TV. She states that all the hard work was worth it.

As an undocumented student, there was little hope of going to university since her parents could not afford it. As you know, there are very few scholarship opportunities for our undocumented youth. Despite all the hardships, she did end up graduating from Hayward High School in 2013 and knew that if she wanted to go to college she would have to start at a community college and build her way up from there. Chabot College was never her first choice, but now she has realized that this is where she belongs. She now is working towards a degree in Spanish and getting her General Education done so that she can transfer to a UC in about two or three years.

Alexia loves helping people as an active member in the community, volunteering her free time at different organizations; Hayward Area Historical Society, tutor at Glassbrook Elementary School in Hayward through the Reading Partners program, and also at The Unity Council in Oakland helping out at their senior center and at their city beautification projects, their Día de Los Muertos festival, Holiday Night Markets, and at their free tax preparation program as a Spanish interpreter. It makes her happy to know that she is connecting with her community and trying to make it a better place. This past summer she led a backpack drive for needy Hayward students - impressive.

Alexia feels extremely lucky to have the opportunity to go to college and obtain an education. Her goal is to continue helping the community as much as possible and be a mentor for the youth in the future. She also wants to break the stereotypes for Latinas and serve as an inspiration for them, wanting them to know that if she is able to obtain a college degree, with effort and dedication they can do it too.

She does not like those who waste their time doing nothing…and I agree with her, 100 percent. Alexia Gisell Lamarque is an impressive young woman. I salute her, thank her parents and teachers, and am extremely honored to present her to you. Let’s help her, and my other Youngsters of the Month be leaders, who will then encourage volunteerism among their peers, for the benefit of our fine city.