From her early days at La Joya Early College High School to her current endeavors at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Milagros Garcia's passion for law remains unwavering. Today, she attributes her resilience and success to the invaluable experiences she gained at LJECHS.
"Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without LJECHS," Milagro said. "I continue to remember my four years at this institution fondly. It was here that I gained the knowledge and tools I needed to step into the real world.”
As Milagro pursues a law degree at the renowned Thurgood Marshall School of Law, she fondly remembers those who helped get her to this place in life –the faculty and staff at LJECHS.
“[The teachers] gave me confidence, determination, and faith. It was while crossing that graduation stage that I knew I could achieve anything I wanted; I was no longer afraid of doing the hard work—I had already begun doing it."
LJECHS's nurturing environment is what Milagros believes to be its distinguishing factor.
"The overall atmosphere of LJECHS is one of kindness and support. They truly care about each student, their well-being, and their success. These teachers will bring out every ounce of potential in you, show it to you, and make you put it to work."
The relationships she fostered there remained pivotal as she progressed in her academic pursuits.
"The thing about LJECHS is that it's not just a 'high school'; it truly becomes your family. Mrs. Gonzalez and Mr. Salinas have shown me their unwavering support and mentorship consistently throughout my undergraduate years and now as a law student at Thurgood Marshall," Milagro said. "It was their efforts aimed at challenging their students to inspire growth that gave me the foundation needed to face the complexities of pursuing a law degree."
As she forges her path in law, Garcia is resolute in her commitment to give back to the institution that gave her so much.
"LJECH was and continues to be a great influence in my life, and I look forward to giving back in any way I can," Milagros said. "I encourage all LJECHS Alumni to pay it forward; let's help the community that helped us."
As Milagros Garcia continues her inspiring journey, she stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and the indelible mark an institution like LJEC can leave on its students.