Results tagged “harvard” from South Bay Pipeline

Remember Francisco Hernandez, the Lennox student who went through quite a few obstacles, including his mother's death, but made it to Harvard?

Well, he's at his sister's home in Arlington, Texas now, waiting to head to Cambridge, Mass. Apparently he and the family have gotten a puppy.

A number of you made donations to Francisco, and he was grateful to receive them. I hope he thanked you personally.

Meanwhile, he's started a blog. (If you look at it, be aware that the latest item gives away what happens in the Transformers sequel.)

The Everything and Anything Blog

Francisco's story from June 14 after the jump.

Just got this from Francisco Hernandez, the Lennox student heading off to the Ivy League. We told his story on Sunday.

"Today I read the South Bay Pipeline Blog, and the many things written by not only Larry, but many wonderful people out there. Let me say that all these people that say they are proud of me, I thank you, because all of this is just another big encouragement for me to do better.

I've had a tough life so far, but things are what you make them when it's time for you to take control. I've already taken control of my life, and I don't let the pieces fall where they may, I place them where they are suited best, and where they will create a better and more successful future for me.

Once again, thank you everybody. It has always, ALWAYS, been people like you that have pushed me to do better. I will continue to do so in college, and make many more proud. Thank you.

Thank you, Larry, and thank the Daily Breeze for running the story. I have a tough road ahead of me, but all these comments are giving me so much strength to hold my head up high and keep moving forward. Thank you!"

Dear Mr. Altman, 

I read your article in this Sunday morning issue of the Daily Breeze on a Lennox Academy student, Francisco Hernandez. I wanted to share with you an article I wrote for Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach about a group of employees that were also touched by Francisco's story and his sister, Maria.

We also wanted to reach out to them in a special way so myself and a team of 14 others selected them for one of our diversity and inclusion events we promote here at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach. At the time we received his application for the "adopt a family" program, his mother Ana, was still alive. She was ill, but not in any danger of losing her life.

You can imagine that we were all in quite a shock when we learned that from the time the application process was completed, to the time we selected that family, Francisco's mother took a turn for the worse and suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.

After the shock, we now were on a mission to give these two teens the best Christmas we could possibly give them in the wake of their tragedy. Our team of employees went from just taking part in "some gift giving program" to "going full steam to making all their dreams come true." Our goal was to fulfill all the items they asked for on the sheet received from the coordinator of this event.

While some of our team made their own purchases, we also collected money from the remaining team members so we could purchase the remaining items. We actually made a personal delivery of these items to Francisco. His eyes filled with tears as he received our gifts for them.

We knew that as we gave Francisco and Maria's spirits a lift, they touched our lives -- and our hearts forever.

Sincerely,
Cindy Shirai

Cindy's story is after the jump.

By the way, the photo shows Cindy Shirai, Desiree Wong and Nancy Sue presenting the new guitar to Francisco, which he gave to his sister, Maria.