Growing up in Acapulco, Mexico, Jesus Calles dreamed of going to college in the United States and studying science, even though he spoke no English. Five years after immigrating to San Diego and learning English, Calles is a step closer to translating that dream into a reality.

Calles, 19, is attending San Diego City College on a scholarship. His plan is to transfer to the University of California San Diego and major in biochemistry.

“Since I was a child, I loved science,” he said. “And biochemistry is a combination of two that I think are very interesting.”

Calles knew that it would be important for him to learn English if he wanted to attend college and get a job in the United States, so he began taking English, reading and math classes through Horton Elementary School's Parent Academic Liaison Program. The program teaches English and other skills to the parents of Horton's low-income Hispanic families, but many siblings of Horton students, such as Calles, and other community members also attend, teacher Margharita Barcigalupo said.

“Jesus is here every day to improve his English,” she said. “He never misses a class and he's always willing to help any parent. He is an example for all the parents at Horton who do not believe that their students can go to school and get an education.”

In addition to attending Barcigalupo's classes, Jesus said he avidly read books from the public library and borrowed English videos from his uncle. Barcigalupo said Calles is using his new verbal skills to show Horton families how they can meet with City College counselors and register for vocational classes.

To demonstrate Calles' success to the families at Horton Elementary, Barcigalupo awarded Calles a special medal on July 18 at the graduation party she hosts every year for her class.

Calles said he hopes his younger brother, Edson, 11, is proud of his achievements. Edson, who attended Horton Elementary, will be transferring to the Preuss School at the UCSD campus this fall.

–RACHEL CROMIDAS