So today the students graduate from the Pipeline program I hope each of them truly understands how amazing they each are. Amber, Christa, Elka, Fabian,Jana, Jessica, Kapele, Manny , Monica, and Skyla – it has been a pleasure getting to know each of you and watching you explore your options for the future. I look forward to saying I once mentored the first Native American woman president, the top nero-psychologist or world-renowned mechanical engineer. you all can do anything you set your minds to. Aim high and find the things you enjoy.

Coming into the program as a mentor I was unsure exactly what I wanted to do next I just earned my B.A. in gender and ethnic studies and because that goal had taken some time I was at a loss as to what to do next however being in the program made me realize my decision to  apply to USC’s masters program for teaching was the right one. To my utter surprise I received an e-mail yesterday saying I have been accepted. I am overwhelmed –  to come from such a difficult place – never doing particularly well in grade school, being poor, having ADHD all seemed to exclude dreams of higher education and yet I discovered I love learning and I have found some wonderful support systems through my educational journey.

Similar to the people we have met here in the Pipeline such as Adrain Pantoja, Hector, Thomas Borowski, Dr. Dixon, and Julia I have learned the Native community is opening up and becoming a place for encouragement and support for all the individuals who belong in it. I truly believe we are the Seventh Generation- the responsibility and honor of bringing positive change to the planet is ours. The fiery social activist we have in this program are going to lead our People into a better future.

I know I have been change for the better for being a part of this program and  I am so grateful for the opportunity Scott has given myself and the other mentors. We all have become so close in such a short time , we will be linked to each other for life. I have enjoyed my time with everyone connected to the program and I am extremely thankful for Gina and Jackie for all their help in the computer lab! – Becca

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Published by msbecca75

Hello my name is Rebecca Sinclair-Curtis; I have just graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender, Ethnic, and Multicultural Studies (GEMS) with an emphasis in women’s studies. I am a mix of both European and Native ancestry- German and Irish on my mom’s side and Apache,Cherokee, Spanish, Indigenous and my dad’s side. I am married and have one son, Timothy age 11- we also have 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 birds. Being both Native and white has influenced my desire to learn more about all my cultures and help educate society about the need for preservation of Native peoples and culture. Getting my degree has been a long journey and I am very excited to have achieved that goal- I am the first in my family to receive a bachelor’s degree. I plan to take a year off while exploring graduate schools and programs, I would like to continue my involvement with the Native American community.

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