Manuela Gonzalez-Antonio

Manuela currently attends Sonoma State University and is pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Spanish.

Manuela’s Message:
Mi Vida with EOP
Starting my journey as a first-generation college student, I was fortunate to be accepted into EOP. They welcomed me with open arms during Summer Bridge Orientation in 2016. When I hear people talk about EOP, I am reminded of my first day in Summer Bridge when I met Amal Munayer, a kind woman who didn’t know who I was. That evening I asked her not to let me walk out of SSU because, in that instance, that’s what my mind and my heart were telling me. Without knowing me she promised me that she wasn’t going to let me walk out and that I was going to shine at SSU.

My biggest success is becoming a Summer Bridge Leader in 2017. As a leader, I had the honor of looking after eight wonderful students that changed my life, and I hope I did theirs. EOP is a community that is diverse and fair, they give a home to students like myself who have overcome many obstacles in life.

To my future EOP colleagues I offer: take advantage of the help that this wonderful community is giving you and do not take them for granted; they are people who will fight for your success and happiness. They are people that will push you to show the world how great you are and how much you are worth. Give back to this community once you fulfill your dreams and never forget that they were there when you thought that you had no one.