By Lili Ramirez
Staff Writer
Surviving homelessness, addiction, teen pregnancy and abuse is not something many people overcome.
Bertha “Betty” Solares, a human services major at Cal State Dominguez Hills, did.
In fact, her ability to articulate how she faced these and other challenges on her scholarship application led her to win the 2016 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.
“There is a process you need to follow to apply for the award — you need to submit a personal statement, autobiography and a speech,” Solares said. “The scholarship consisted of financial need, and if you have been through hardships in your life.”
At her lowest point, she was living on the streets, parks, sidewalks, or anywhere she could find a place to sleep.
The trustees picked Solares for Dominguez, presumably over other worthy candidates.
“I broke down in tears because at that moment, I knew how important it was. Out of all the interviews done on campus, they were only picking one student,” the Long Beach resident said.
The CSU awards the scholarship in amounts up to $12,000 at campuses across the system. Solares will receive $6,000.
Her life experiences have molded and driven her to create a better future for herself and her two daughters.
Despite Solares not being able to receive financial aid anymore, she has dedicated plenty of time to finding scholarships. Her grades help. She has a 3.6 GPA.
The 34-year-old student was featured on the college website after winning the award – a story that was shared multiple times on social media, making her family and friends proud.
Though the online comments were positive and encouraging, not everyone liked what they read about her past. She expressed that her mother has not been supportive.
She relayed a discussion she previously had with her:
“`You know what mom, I’m not trying to put you down or make you look less of the person that you are,’” she said. “Doesn’t mean that I hold any grudges against you. I was telling my story and explaining my hardships to me that was hard, that hurt. That’s why I put it on there.’”
Aside from dealing with issues with her mother, her life has not been easy. Solares went through numerous attempts of going through rehab for drug addiction.
With determination she was able to commit and turn her life around. She received a certificate of completion to prove to herself and others she was ready for a positive change in her life.
Solares has taken these events as a learning experience and plans to help others overcome those obstacles as well.
“All of these things have molded me into the person I am today, and I don’t regret anything that I did,” Solares said.
She plans to graduate in spring 2017. She aspires to find a job in the probation department.
