From East LA to Outer Space: A KIPP LA Alumna Shares Her Story
By Alondra Cardenas
Alondra Cardenas is a 2017 Caroline D. Bradley scholarship recipient and the first KIPP LA student to have the privilege of receiving this merit-based honor. KIPP LA is the Knowledge is Power Program in Los Angeles that is part of a national network of public charter schools.
My educational journey began in East Los Angeles at KIPP Raíces Academy and continued as a founding student at KIPP Academy of Innovation middle school. The KIPP schools afforded me an excellent academic foundation, a nurturing community, and reinforced a strong work ethic. KIPP instilled in me the values of love, honor, integrity, excellence, curiosity, and grit. I have no doubt that it was this foundation that prepared me to transition into the second phase of my educational journey at Windward School, a private high school in West Los Angeles.
At Windward, I am expanding my knowledge and hands-on experience in the areas of math, science, and engineering. I have joined the robotics team where I am surrounded by like-minded peers, working together and representing our school in local and regional competitions. As part of my robotics experience I am now school certified to use various power tools and machinery such as the jigsaw, the dremel, and the laser cutter, which I find very exciting.
In the six months I have been at Windward I have been assured that the next three and a half years will fully prepare me for college and for my dream of becoming an astronaut. Exploring the universe has been a dream of mine since I was seven years old and I had the privilege of meeting Astronaut Jose Hernandez. Hearing his story of perseverance and watching the video of him floating in zero gravity expanded my universe in the blink of an eye and inspired me to follow in his footsteps. It was then I realized that, for me, a future without space exploration is no future at all.
Without the support of my KIPP Through College counselors, I do not think I could have successfully completed the rigorous application process for the Caroline D. Bradley scholarship, which has afforded me not only the opportunity to receive a high-quality education but also to engage with other like minded students from across the country and have access to unique experiences that will advance my educational and career goals.
I know I have a long and challenging journey ahead of me but I am up to the challenge and recognize I will not get there alone. I am grateful for the support I have received along the way from my KIPP community and from the Caroline D. Bradley scholarship and its supporters like the Bradley Foundation. The Caroline D. Bradley scholarship has made it possible for a girl like me to go from receiving one of the best public school educations in East LA to one of the best private school educations in West LA and I am beyond excited to see where my journey continues.
