This year, the HMC’s Designing Futures Foundation awarded 20 scholarships, one of which was given to Angel Alvarez, Caruthers, Calif. One of the first things you should know about Angel Alvarez is that he is a teenager and a father. Life experiences have taught Angel that it’s not always about what happens to you during your lifetime, it’s more about how you react. Angel made a decision at a very young age to turn adversity into challenges to succeed. When presented with the Designing Futures Foundation Scholarship, we sat down with Angel to learn what this scholarship means to him and his young family.

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Where will you be attending college? Studying?
I’ve been accepted to UC Santa Cruz and will be studying Pre Medicine. My fiancée will also be attending UCSC and our four-year-old daughter will be attending an elementary school located on campus.

What does this scholarship mean to you?
I’m very humble and grateful for the opportunities the scholarship will provide. The scholarship means that our family will be able to stay together as we continue our studies. When I became aware I would be a father, many people told me to quit school and to go to work to support my new family. I knew I needed to provide for them financially, but I also knew dropping out of school was not an option. Balancing work and school has not been easy, but my passion to succeed has been fueled by one goal: to one day give my family a good life. I want to thank the many coaches and teachers who have influenced me, especially my football coach and track coach for everything they have taught me along the way.

What interests you most about your field of study?
Having a child at a young age has taught me the importance of having responsibility for others and I feel that becoming a doctor will allow me to help others to realize their dreams.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would like to return to Caruthers after completing medical school and internships. My goal is to open a clinic for the people living in this area.

Designing Futures Foundation was created by HMC Architects in 2009 as a scholarship program for California students entering the fields of education, healthcare, and design, preparing them for successful careers in the industries HMC serves. A unique aspect of the Designing Futures Foundation Scholarship is that it engages students at eleventh grade and follows them through the completion of college with both funding and mentoring.

For more information on the Designing Futures Foundation, please contact John Nichols, Pre-K-12 Practice Leader