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Luz Lourdes Jimenez Vela

Biography

Profile: “Well rounded” is how one of her advisers described Luz Jimenez Vela.  A “well rounded” academic scholar, student athlete...who is caring, giving, dedicated and a ‘woman for others’.”  Born in Mexico, Luz was ten years old when her family came to California in 2000.  At the time she only spoke basic English. “Math became my favorite subject during my first year in the US,” Luz said.  “It was the only subject that needed no translation and, at the start, the only subject I was able to maintain top of the class status in a completely different language.” Also a gifted athlete, Luz was captain of the women’s tennis squad at Fullerton College, playing both singles and doubles in the number one and number two positions.  Luz has it all – brains, athleticism and perhaps most important, a commitment to community service.  She’s a dedicated volunteer at her church, St. Norbert’s in Orange, CA.  The Foundation asked Luz to complete a questionnaire listing her service organization commitments, as well as the amount of time spent volunteering.  A humble young lady, Luz gives countless hours to the church’s choir ministry but asked not to add the total hours because “...this is a ministry I am freely offering to God and the community and consequently do not like keeping track of hours.”

Inspiration:  Her, mother (also named Luz) is and always will be her inspiration. “My mother came from Mexico with my brother and I to the US in 2000 in pursuit of US citizenship, selflessly working in any setting in order for her two children to achieve their education dreams.” As a consequence, Luz said, “she has been an example of constant perseverance and hard work, setting no boundaries to what one desires to achieve. She has taught me to never stop using my imagination, to think in the abstract, indulging myself in deep levels of thinking.”

Aspiration:  Luz hopes to major in physics, astrophysics, or both at the University of California at Berkeley.

Making a Difference: What has made a big difference in Luz’s life is the fact that in 2010, after 10 years of patience, the long-awaited dream of US citizenship was granted to her mom...and then four months later Luz was granted permanent residency. 

Accolades:  Luz was named Fullerton College Female Student Athlete of the Year in 2010,  as well as one of fifteen Fullerton College Women of Distinction for the same year.  She also was given AGS Honor Society Life Membership and a Community Service Scholarship.

Interesting Fact:  “I’m shooting for the moon...literally,” said Luz.  “Setting foot on the moon is my superlative dream.”

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