Education
The BLCI Way
Meet Denise Mellado : a rising star in Barrio Logan College Institute ( BLCI )’ s senior class of 2023 who is already building an impressive list of accomplishments . Barrio Logan College Institute ’ s mission is to break the cycle of poverty by preparing underserved students to be the first in their family to go to college through after school programs that begin in third grade . For 26 years , they have accomplished this goal by sending 100 % of their seniors to college each year .
Denise joined BLCI ’ s Chula Vista program nearly ten years ago when she was in third grade and had only heard of one local university , SDSU . Growing up in a singleparent , low-income household meant that college was not necessarily her natural next step . As she prepares to graduate in the spring and become the first in her family to go to college , she reflects on how far she has come and looks ahead at what she will do next .
“ When I was younger , BLCI gave me a sense of comfort because I never knew what was going to happen at home and what was going on with my family , but I liked the feeling that I had people there that were helping me stay on track and reassure me that I have control over my future regardless of my background .”
Denise remembers a poster on a wall at BLCI that stuck with her , “ Attitude determines 100 % of success .” During her most challenging times , she understood how true this was . She learned from BLCI staff that although late nights and early mornings can be tiring , they build good habits and stability for her future . As a result , she developed the skills that have proven necessary along her journey .
40 GBSAN . COM | DECEMBER 2022