WHITTIER – Pioneer High School junior Karen Marin is gearing up for a summer unlike one she has ever experienced after being accepted into UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, where she will have the opportunity to learn from university professors and get a taste of campus life.

The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, made possible to District students through a donation by the Whittier Union Educational Foundation, offers high school students the opportunity to live on campus, earn college credit from two courses, and participate in extracurricular activities, local excursions, and exploratory workshops. Marin’s session runs from Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 9.

“I was very excited when I found out I was accepted and I told my parents immediately, and they were also thrilled,” Marin said. “I hope to gain a new sense of motivation and more insight into what I want to major in and potential career options.”

Marin said she has been interested in studying law since her freshmen year at Pioneer High and has enrolled in two legal studies courses as part of the program.

“Something shifted in me to want to start pursuing law and that was the passion and desire to help other people,” Marin said, “It inspired me to one day become an immigration attorney.”

For the program, Marin had to complete an application that included two short essay questions and a Zoom interview with leaders from Whittier Union and UC Berkeley. Marin was asked which academic subject inspires her the most for one of the essay questions. She answered history and English, emphasizing that learning about the past, different lifestyles, cultures, laws, and policies is crucial for understanding our current society.

Marin said she is most looking forward to taking classes in university lecture spaces, making new friends and connections, getting to dorm on campus, and being able to experience student life.

Marin is particularly grateful to three Pioneer High educators who have supported and helped her reach this point: Advanced Placement (AP) government teacher, AP psychology teacher, and advisor for mock club Randy Herschler; English teacher Jae Shin-Perez, who has helped her improve her essay writing skills; and chemistry teacher Julia Bermudez, who wrote the letter of recommendation for the program application.

“Pioneer High School is proud to have Karen Marin represent our school community at UC Berkeley this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity,” Principal Mary Chapman said. “We cannot wait for her to come back and share her knowledge and experience with her peers. Congratulations, Karen!”

PHOTO CAPTION

WUHSD_SCHOLAR1: Pioneer High School junior Karen Marin has been accepted into UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, where she will have the opportunity to learn from university professors and get a taste of campus life.