Success Stories | Wishbone.org

Wishbone began in a classroom in South Central, Los Angeles. Beth’s students were skipping class, missing assignments, and failing out of school. She was convinced that her students were struggling to find relevance.

Beth raised money by running a marathon to send her students to after school and summer programs. She assigned her students to research a program they would like to attend and to explain why. 75% of her students turned in the essay (the class average was previously 10%) and seven students attended programs.

All seven students graduated from high school, matriculated to college, and claimed that the experience made them realize why succeeding in high school was relevant to pursuing their passions. Four of the seven are now majoring in those same subjects in college.

Below, read the story of Sandra, Kiara, Chance, Roscoe, Angel, Jamilet and Greg.
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Meet Sandra

Locke High School
Mock Trial Institute, UCLA

The community where Sandra lived and attended high school was infested with gang activity, drug addiction, and prostitution. The turmoil of her community affected her high school experience and her learning; however, she aspired to be and do more.

As a high school student, Sandra set many goals for herself: to go to a university and also to get a Master’s degree and a law license. She has always wanted to become a Public Defender, but she didn’t know if she would make a successful lawyer because she had never experienced any kind of pre-law classes.

Wishbone sent Sandra to UCLA’s Mock Trial Institute, where she was one of the program’s highest performers. She is now a student at Bennett College for Women, taking pre-law classes. Sandra is a Jesse Jackson Push Excel scholar and a pre-alumna ambassador of Bennett College. She is also the youngest member of Wishbone’s advisory board.

Meet Kiara

Locke High School
Stem Cell Science Program, UCLA

Kiara’s neighborhood and her high school were overrun with gang violence. But even with distractions happening all around her, she wouldn’t let herself be influenced by it. Kiara was resolved not to let other people determine her worth, and to this day she’s dedicated to making her own success in the world.

Science was Kiara’s main interest in high school. She was fascinated by all scientific subjects, but Biology became her favorite over the years. She constantly searched for new knowledge. Even when her family was watching television, she would always change the channel to National Geographic.

To help her pursue her passion for Biology, Wishbone sent Kiara to a Stem Cell Science summer program at UCLA. Kiara met mentors and professors at the program who encouraged her to apply to college there, and she is now a student at UCLA.

Meet Chance

Locke High School
New York Film Academy

Chance’s family moved twice in one year, forcing him to attend three different schools, but he didn’t give up. Instead of becoming frustrated over his family’s moves, he decided to improve his grades.

Chance was determined to become a first generation college student. Poverty hit his family abruptly, and as he got older, he started to realize that his dreams could not wait. He had to take action. Chance had been passionate about acting since he was five-years old, and he knew that going to acting camp would help him to pursue his dreams, especially because his family could not afford it on their own.

To expose Chance to acting classes, Wishbone sent him to the New York Film Academy’s summer program. The experience confirmed his life-long goal of being on TV, and gave him a newfound sense of confidence.

Meet Roscoe

Locke High School
Trojan Football Camp, USC

During high school, Roscoe lived between two gangs at war. He regularly woke up to the sound of gunshots in the night. Every morning in high school, Roscoe had to get up to feed his brothers and iron their clothes. While his mom was at work, he was at home taking care of his baby brother.

Yet, Roscoe never let his duty to his family get him down. Instead, he put all of his energy into his passion for football. As a member of the Locke High School football team, Roscoe found that a commitment to a sport gave him the drive, focus, and dedication he needed in both school and life.

Wishbone sent Roscoe to the Trojan Football Camp at USC. Roscoe graduated from high school and still calls football his greatest passion.

Meet Angel

Locke High School
Hawthorne Drum and Bugle Corps

Angel comes from a family of four brothers and one sister. During high school, he lived with his grandmother who tried very hard to pay for what he really wanted. He begged her to let him participate in the Hawthorne Drum and Bugle Corps, but she could not afford it. Angel’s grandmother watched him spend time searching for a job to help pay for the program himself. But at fifteen-years old, it was hard to balance both a job and his schoolwork.

With Wishbone’s support, Angel attended the Hawthorne Drum and Bugle Corps where he dramatically improved his ability to read and play music. The experience forced him to have higher expectations for himself, challenging him both musically and mentally. Angel claims that the program also made him stronger in choosing right over wrong in life.

Meet Jamilet

Locke High School
Redondo School of Music

Jamilet grew up listening to the music of Carlos Santana, and throughout high school, music always reminded her of her family and her home. Listening to Carlos Santana play was like hearing magic to her, and she wanted one day to have the ability to produce her own magic, too.

When Jamilet became a Wishbone scholar, she raised more money on her own to buy a guitar. With her personal guitar in tow, she took guitar lessons after school three times a week for the school year. Learning how to play the guitar not only opened doors for Jamilet musically, but it also gave her the chance to better her life and balance her commitment to her community with her own pursuits. Jamilet currently attends Santa Monica college and plans on pursuing a career in music.

Meet Greg

Locke High School
Stem Cell Science Program, UCLA

Throughout high school, Greg knew that despite all of the obstacles, it was possible to achieve the high goals he set for himself. Greg’s dream was to someday become a doctor so that he could help as many ailing people as possible. Even in high school, Greg liked to test himself and work until he knew that his goals had been accomplished.

Greg feels fortunate to know that there are people out there who will always strive to help others. He calls these people heroes: they don’t have superpowers, but they have the courage to stand up to those who aren’t making themselves a part of the solution. He knows that these heroes help people like him achieve their dreams.

Wishbone sent Greg to UCLA’s Stem Cell Science Program, and with his positive experience there, Greg’s passion for science has persisted throughout his time as an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz.