YURI LOPEZ
NVMI CLASS OF 2016
UC RIVERSIDE GRADUATE - BA IN SOCIOLOGY

​​​​​​​“So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains. You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting… so get on your way!”

This Dr. Seuss quote is very special to me and it has remained with me to this day because it was one of the first books I learned to read in the English language. The quote always gave me a sense of hope that no matter what situation I faced, I would be able to move the mountain that stood in my way. The most onerous “mountain” I ever faced came during my junior year of high school because as I was approaching the finish line to my high school education, the possibility of attending college or a 4-year university became improbable. 

For undocumented students like myself, opportunities do not come very often and when they do they come with a great deal of restrictions and limitations in part due to our citizenship status. When I learned about NVMI I did not think twice about moving schools. Without the help of Dr. Ryan, my teachers, the counseling staff, my mentors, and the community that NVMI has built for its staff and students I genuinely cannot imagine where I would stand today. NVMI has provided me with an infinite number of opportunities that allowed me to excel as a student athlete, it provided me with leadership skills and opportunities, and it even gave me the privilege to travel (something I NEVER thought I’d be able to do). Today I can proudly say that I can cross off Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Washington from the list.

When I was presented with the opportunity to come back to NVMI as a TAC NCO in Bravo Company, I accepted because even though the job can be stressful and it can get difficult, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing our student’s triumph through challenges and unforeseen adversities. Today, I stand before you as a first generation latina graduate from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. NVMI is the best investment anyone can make because NVMI takes pride in the culture and development of student leaders. NVMI not only invests in their students, but also in their staff because none of the excellence that NVMI has to offer would be possible without the admirable work the staff, teachers and the TAC teams do to ensure students are taken care of.

LESLEY RAMOS
NVMI CLASS OF 2016
MOUNT SAINT MARYS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE – AA LIBERAL ARTS / BA IN CRIMINOLOGY

Learning about NVMI and everything it stood for caught my attention. I loved the idea of infinite opportunities. The opportunity to grow as a leader and a person. As a sophomore, I saw the several ways I could participate in endless opportunities. Specifically, in sports and leadership.  I am convinced that NVMI truly does feel like a family, you are supported in every way. I felt tremendous support mentally and emotionally from my Mentor Coach H and physically by many. As a student, this can truly make a difference. And it did. 

One of the best lessons I learned as a cadet was to always find value in everything. No job is too small. Everyone needs support and I learned that I did not mind being a support to many. I loved the idea of helping others make their lives easier. This confirmed I wanted to work with children. 

NVMI has a great set of staff and counselors who were able to help me pursue higher education. Not only were counselors more than willing to help but teachers made themselves available after hours to provide extra support. They were able to walk me through the process of applying to several universities and because of the amazing support of my mentors Ivy Diaz convinced me to attempt what felt like the impossible, being accepted to a private university. I was accepted to Mount Saint Mary's University in 2016. I was able to receive my Associate's degree in Liberal Arts in 2018 and my Bachelor's Degree in Criminology with an emphasis in Sociology in 2021. My long-term goal could potentially be a probation officer as juveniles always seek support but for now, I am very content. My goal has been to work with kids and right now, teaching feels right. I love the idea of working with such young minds, motivating and inspiring as well as reminding them every day that nothing is impossible. I strive to be what my mentors were for me, supportive and patient. One can commit many mistakes in their lives and learn from them but supporting NVMI will not be one of those mistakes. NVMI continues to thrive and grow year by year. Many have come to realize that NVMI truly is a safe and supportive environment. We now need your support to continue to do what we love, which is supporting the next generation."