Sonoma superstar heads to Pomona

By SUZIE RODRIGUEZ / Sonoma Valley Correspondent

In July, Ahtziri Fonseca traveled to Miami to compete for a $50,000 scholarship from Univision/JC Penney. A month later, armed with the means to finance her dream, the 18-year-old Sonoma resident set out for Pomona College in Claremont.

As the first person in her family to attend college, Fonseca is justifiably excited about her future.

“I want to become a neurosurgeon,” she said. “After Pomona College, I’ll have medical school and more. I know it’s a long haul, but I’m ready.”

Fonseca’s parents came to the United States from Mexico in the early 1990s, ending up in Sonoma Valley. She was their first child, followed by a brother Luis and a sister Noemi.As a child of 5, she often translated during her mother’s pre-natal doctor visits.

“The clinics weren’t bi-lingual then,” Fonseca said. “In the waiting room I would see other Latino mothers struggling with the language, trying to explain themselves to the receptionist or nurses.

“I remember thinking, ‘Well, I should do something about this.’ I’ve wanted to be a doctor ever since.”

Fonseca’s parents divorced when she was 9, and life soon became financially difficult.

“I watched how hard my mom had to work,” she said, “holding down two and three jobs at a time. And then it just got harder when she went to school to get her license to be a certified nursing assistant.

“I was blown away by her ability to keep up with the jobs and go to school. And the whole time she was struggling with English. It made me study harder and gave me the work ethic I have now.”

Fonseca attended Flowery Elementary and Adele Harrison Middle School. When it came time for high school, she was “tired of classes being so easy,” she said. “ I wanted a vigorous and challenging environment.”

With the help of a mentor from the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, she was accepted by Santa Rosa’s rigorous Sonoma Academy. “They ended up giving me the full ride, about $30,000 a year,” Fonseca said.

Excelling in that challenging environment, she applied to 14 colleges in her senior year and was accepted by all but two. She ended up choosing Pomona, where she will major in its acclaimed four-year neuroscience program.

“So many stereotypes exist, in the Latino community and the larger culture, about what women can do. I want to do something about that. So far, so good.”

Like any other teenage girl, Fonseca has her share of fun. She likes to dance and hike, and enjoys music, drawing, painting and sculpting.

She also coordinated a Saturday morning radio show on KSVY (FM 91.3) for Nuestra Voz, a non-profit group that develops Latino leaders.Her show was targeted to teenagers and covered issues such as high school, health, education and sports.

Those accomplishments earned her a place among three finalists competing for the yearly Univision/JC Penney scholarship.

“They treated us like stars,” Fonseca said. “They paid all our expenses, and we had no idea who would win. I was happy just to be there.”

Then Mexican-born NoticieroUnivision anchor Jorge Ramos took the microphone and said the person getting the award could change the world.

“It ended up being me, said Fonseca. “I was in shock.”

Those who know her well weren’t shocked. They laud her responsible attitude, dedication, kindness and community service.

“We are so proud of her,” said Alejandra Cervantes, Executive Director of Nuestra Voz.

“She’s a very good example for Latino teens. If they study hard, work hard and participate in the community, they will see the awards, too.”

 

 

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