Each year, we love to look back and reflect on what we’ve accomplished and the people that helped us get there. We have such STRONG, SMART, and BOLD girls that come through our program, and amazing volunteers that make everything tick. We’re honored to announce our 2018 Alumnae of the Year, Yesenia Yañez, and Volunteer of the Year, Desirae MacGillivray.
Yesenia is a Girls Inc. of San Diego County alum and student at California State University San Marcos. She participated in the Girls Inc. of San Diego County 2018 graduation event where she was recognized for all her achievements and strong participation in Girls Inc. of San Diego County.
Yesenia is a first-generation college student and is also the first member of her family to graduate from high school. She is a DACA student (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), raised by a single mother. She will be pursuing a degree in the sciences to provide and give back to her family. In high school, she ranked 15th in her class and had a GPA of 4.21 all while heavily involving herself in community service clubs and organizations. Yesenia is a shining example of why we do what we do. She is well deserving of being named our Alumnae of the Year. We can’t wait to watch her continue to succeed.
Desirae has been volunteering with Girls Inc. of San Diego County for 3 years. She has worked tirelessly to advance Girls Inc. of San Diego County’s mission to help under-served girls grow up strong, smart and bold. She has led multiple initiatives to raise awareness for our organization, including creating the GISD’s new website and our organization’s inaugural Annual Report. Desirae is passionate, always willing to help and gives generously of her time and expertise to help our girls grow into tomorrow’s leaders. We are lucky to have her and are happy to name her Volunteer of the Year.
These women inspire us and remind us why our work is so important. We are grateful to have had Yesenia come through our program and are excited that we have the honor of continued volunteerism from Desirae. A very big thank you to these ladies and to all girls and volunteers that give us the opportunity to make a difference.