Student Rising Above Is Father's Success Story
Katherine Kelleher ― (CBS 5) ― Seventeen-year-old Diana Vargas has intellect and grace beyond her years. At Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto, she is a star.
"Diana is one of those students you know about before you actually have them in your classroom because she's such a fantastic student," said Diana's mentor and former instructor at Eastside, Jennifer Foster.
Diana has a GPA of 4.1, takes advanced placement courses, and has been nominated by faculty for the Eastside Excellence Award.
A major driving force behind Diana's academic achievement is her father.
"My father always wished to see me graduate from high school and go to college," wrote Diana.
Leaving a difficult childhood in Mexico, Diana's father came to the United States in pursuit of work. With great love for his wife and four children he worked hard to support his family.
Unfortunately, a severe drinking habit lead him down the path to Type 2 Diabetes.
"I never really stopped to think of the consequences that could ensue from alcohol," said Diana.
The first significant sign of her father's diabetes, Diana said, was his deteriorating vision.
She wrote, "There were times when he did not recognized me anymore. . .I was frustrated that nothing eased his suffering."
Due to his failing eyesight, Diana's father was laid off from his job. Without her father's income, her family faced substantial financial challenges at an already emotionally trying time.
To take his mind off of his illness, Diana explained that her father went to Mexico to see relatives.
"The trip was supposed to be 2 week. . .2 weeks turned into 4 months. He found a doctor in Mexico and decided to see if the man could provide a cure," she said.
Over the course of those four months, Diana only spoke with her father twice. Finally, with no further treatment to help her father and with a greater decline in his health, he came back to the United States. On February 4th, 2009 Diana's father died from a heart attack.
"This was a shock for our family," she recalled.
Shortly after, Diana was back in school.
"She was really sad and worried about her mom, but it made her feel better to focus on her work because she knew how important that was to her father. It felt like the best way to do something to honor him," said Foster.
"I know his thoughts were to never give up. He was the supporter of the family and my mom," said Diana. "My family may not be depending on me right now, but sooner or later I could help them."
"I am going to continue doing my best because I want to be successful for me and for my father, and I know he will always be with me," she wrote.
The youngest of four children, Diana will be the first to attend a four-year college. She wants to go to Yale.
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