Edgar Camacho-Esteves and Andrea Torres-Reyes are two of 54 students who graduated this year from Ceiba College Preparatory Academy. Both came to the school in the sixth grade.
Camacho-Esteves, whose siblings also attended the school, says he chose the school after careful consideration with his parents, and knowing it would offer him the smaller community he wanted.
“We all know each other, we’re all comfortable with each other, and I think that’s one of the good things about Ceiba,” he says.
Torres-Reyes admits she had a very different reason for attending.
“My friend was coming here, and I didn’t want to be alone,” she said.
Despite their different motivations for coming, both found academic success, with GPSs over 4.0 (they say they “messed up” last year by getting their first-ever B) and ambitious plans for their studies.
That was a big deal for Torres-Reyes.
“I just had to get A’s in everything, that’s what I was told since I was very little,” she said. “I am the oldest one and I’ve been told to set the bar really high so they can follow in my footsteps.”
Camacho-Esteves will attend Santa Clara University to study electrical engineering, a major inspired by his involvement with two robotics clubs—one he created for middle school students.
Torres-Reyes will attend UC Berkeley to study pre-med. She plans to become a doctor, although she is waiting to decide on a specialty until she gets into her studies.
She says her science teachers inspired her as she took biology, environmental science and marine biology.
“I’ve always really liked science,” she says. When asked for their advice for younger students. Both suggest getting involved in the community, seeking out organizations such as the Watsonville Teen Action Council and Climate Corps, and taking classes through dual-enrollment at Cabrillo College.
