South Gate High Student Chosen For Selective Leadership Program

Cindy Abarca, 18, a South Gate native and recent graduate of South Gate High School, has a lot to celebrate now. She will not only be attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island next fall, but is also currently taking part in Student Leaders, a highly selective internship program founded by Bank of America.

“I am very excited,” admitted Abarca when asked about how she felt about being part of Student Leaders. ”I will be enhancing my leadership skills and learning a lot more about non-profits.”

The Student Leaders program places 11^th and 12^th graders from around the country in an eight week paid internship at a non-profit in their community. Bank of America provides a stipend for the internship.

Thousands apply through out the county and only a few are picked.

Abarca was one of ten that were selected form Los Angeles County. Strong academics played a role in her acceptance, but it was her activism that set her apart, said Bank of America representatives. 

“Abarca was chosen because of her past leadership and involvement with the community,” said Raul Bustillos, 43, community relations’ manager for Bank of America. “She was involved with a lot of service organizations at her school and externally.”

Among the activities that Abarca took part in was the founding of the The Ram Society. This was a club at South Gate High School where she also served as president since freshman year, and that aimed at helping students to learn more about college. Her internship with former California State Assemblyman Hector de la Torre was also cited as an experience that set her apart.  

Abarca is currently working for Variety Boys & Girls Club, a non-profit with several local chapters in Los Angeles County that provides after-school programs for students. 

This is an organization that is enhancing skills that she already has, but also allowing her to learn new things.

“I am helping their college counselors by providing information and doing presentations,” said Abarca, who has knowledge about this from her own experience a student and her role at The Ram Society.

However, Abarca has also begun to learn more about the financing structure of non-profits.

“In addition, I also work with a director in helping to find funds,” said Abarca who admitted to not knowing much about these matters prior to this experience.

Bank of America insists that non-profits are great training ground for leaders. This is why they have placed students, like Abarca, in such organizations.

“We believe leadership and service are big part of helping propel communities forward,” said Bustillos, who added that non-profits embody precisely this. “The purpose of this program is to nurture the next generation of leaders.”

Abarca plans to study Public Policy and American Institutions during her time at Brown University. After college she hopes to attend law school and  become an attorney. Once an attorney, she promises to be an active volunteer, donor and advisor to a local education focused non-profit.

However, her inolvement with a non-profit is not the only way that Abarca might help in. Running for local, state or national office in the future is something she has thought about.

“I have thought about doing it,” said Abarca. “Maybe in the future”

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