Being the Representation at Stanford – Belinda Castaneda
For most students, they would be thrilled to be accepted to UC Berkeley—which was true for Belinda Castaneda, who felt “over the moon happy” to be accepted. It wasn’t until she found her acceptance letter from Stanford University in her spam folder that Belinda immediately changed her mind.
“I was eating breakfast and I was like ‘oh my gosh, I got in.’ I couldn’t believe it. I was home alone, and I immediately started crying because it's something that I never thought I could accomplish and I never thought it could happen to me,” Belinda explained.
Throughout her academic career, Belinda credits her family as her motivation. With migrant worker parents, Belinda remembers the early mornings and hot summer days during which her parents were out in the field in order to provide for her and her three older sisters. Belinda has used her opportunities through the Migrant Education Program at school and pushed herself academically to have a life unlike her parents, one in which she can pursue higher education.
She notes how her parents were unable to finish elementary school while in Mexico and the impact it has had on their lives in the United States. For her older sisters, they have had to navigate the U.S. education system as English learners. Despite their struggles, each of her older siblings have maintained an exceptional academic record, graduated high school, and attended university, which has spurred her motivation in high school and now college.
Dr. Yolanda DeLoera, Belinda’s counselor at Indio High School (IHS) who has guided Belinda throughout her high school career, highlights Belinda’s goal to “graduate IHS with a higher ranking, higher GPA, and more scholarships than her sisters” – which she was able to accomplish this year as a student on a full-ride scholarship attending Stanford in fall 2023.
“I never saw myself as that competitive because me and my sisters love each other and are very supportive of one another. I never thought I would surpass them, but I just wanted to make sure that I was at their level because they set the bar very high.”
Dr. DeLoera describes Belinda as “one of the most humble and hardworking students you could ever meet. She is not only proud of her heritage and migrant working parents but has participated in numerous organizations within IHS and the larger Indio Community.” Belinda has been part of IHS Renaissance, Ophelia Project, Migrant Leaders Club, National Honors Society, Interact Club, California Scholarship Federation, and Link Crew.
Belinda’s mother initially placed her older sisters in the Migrant Education Program and introduced Belinda to the program soon after. She recounts how, in elementary school, she saw her sisters going to summer school and doing fun activities.
“Ever since then, the migrant program has given me so many endless opportunities. I got to go on a Catalina Island trip, which I never would have gone on if it was just with my family. I've gotten to go to Disneyland and go on different field trips. I got to do a digital arts internship over quarantine,” Belinda explained. “The migrant program has been able to do so many things for my family. They provided different workshops for my parents so that they can understand what school is like for us and help with our schooling.”
Throughout her time in the program, Belinda explains how they catered to her needs depending on her grade level. When she was younger, the focus was more on fun activities, but then began to connect with her academics in high school by providing opportunities that would benefit her future.
Belinda describes leaving for Stanford in the fall as “a bittersweet feeling” in knowing that she will have to say goodbye to her family and friends, yet she is excited to start a new journey and is reassured that she can always come back to visit.
“Growing up, we never really went anywhere so I know that I'm going to be a little homesick, but I know it's going to be a new experience getting to be over there and meet different people – just getting to do different things.”
As a first-generation Hispanic student beginning her journey at Stanford, Belinda understands the representation she is providing for not only her family, but her community as well at a higher education institution. Aware of her accomplishments, many community members have reached out to congratulate Belinda and wish her the best.
“I feel like for Hispanics, growing up in a low-income environment – you don’t really see being represented in that way. It was such a big step and big accomplishment not only for me but for my family and everyone in the community. I get to be the representation,” Belinda beamed.
Belinda plans on earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Stanford, and, while unsure of her options now, hopes to land a good, well-paying job.
“I want to come back to help my community as well, with teaching or finance. I just want to make sure the people in my area, specifically low income, know what they’re getting into, and I want to be that advocate for them.”