NARRATOR: Cindy Perez made some bad choices in junior high that landed her in a juvenile correction facility. By 10th grade, her self-esteem had plummeted. She joined a gang and was addicted to methamphetamine. Even so, her principal at Schurr High School in Montebello saw something special in Cindy and helped her keep up with schoolwork and earn a diploma. 

Unfortunately, after graduation, addiction took over Cindy's life, and she was living on the streets. She became pregnant and stayed clean for a while giving birth to a healthy baby girl. But she relapsed and was at risk of losing her daughter to the foster care system. When she was given the opportunity to enter rehab, she took it, got clean, and went back to school. 

Embarrassed by a learning disability in her early grades, education did not come easily for Cindy. But at Whittier Adult School, she excelled in every course she took, always putting forth 100% effort. The opportunities at Whittier Adult earned her a thriving new life with her daughter, her own apartment, and a full-time job.