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Alumni Spotlight
Pinewood Alum Irene Guerra Dedicates Her Life to Serving Those in Need
Pinewood alum Irene Guerra, Class of 2002, is dedicating her life to serving
those in need. Irene came to Pinewood in
1998 from the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring Program (EPATT). Founded by a Stanford student in 1988, EPATT
works to develop the academic, athletic, and social skills of East
Palo Alto young people by combining one-on-one academic tutoring
by Stanford students with group tennis instruction by accomplished players.
Pinewood was one of the first private schools to partner with EPATT fifteen
years ago and offer full or partial scholarships to some of the participants. Irene was extremely successful at Pinewood
and went on to Stanford, where she earned a BA in Comparative Studies in Race
and Ethnicity with a minor in Spanish Literature. Irene focused her studies particularly on
racial disparity in education.
After graduation, she went to work for Shelter Network, a local non-profit
agency that offers emergency and transitional housing shelter for single adults
and families with children. As a case manager, Irene worked to assist the
Network’s clients in developing budgeting and other life skills, including
searching for employment and housing. This experience inspired her to pursue further education so she could
become a licensed clinical psychologist.
Irene is now a doctoral candidate in psychology at the Alliant
International University
campus in San Francisco. She aspires to help individuals with severe
mental illness to manage their symptoms and lead successful lives. Irene specifically wants to work in low-income
communities developing and modifying therapeutic interventions that are
culturally appropriate. Irene also continues to work with Shelter
Network, focusing on increasing access to health care services for homeless
individuals throughout San Mateo
County.
In addition to work and school, Irene serves on the Board of Directors at
EPATT. “The impact that EPATT has had on
my life,” she says, “cannot be translated adequately into words. My EPATT family taught me the significance of
having choices outside of what was available within the boundaries of my own
community. Through this program I began to change my frame of mind and
redefine what is possible. I gained confidence through
tennis, motivation through academic success and humility by asking for help—all
factors that continue to guide my life’s work. Most importantly, I
learned that every person can achieve when you learn to redefine success in
your terms.”
“Pinewood offered the space to explore a world outside of East
Palo Alto that was completely foreign. Although counselors and
teachers throughout junior high school encouraged me to pursue a college
education, I did not know that the opportunity was available to me until I
enrolled at Pinewood. The rigorous academic training at Pinewood not only
prepared me for college, it taught me the balance between education and life
skills necessary to navigate my college and graduate work. Supportive
teachers such as Mrs. Smith and Mr. Adams and others persuaded me to develop
and strengthen my natural talents and to be confident in my abilities. I
was always held to the same academic standards as my peers and was expected to
succeed. That perhaps was the most valuable aspect of my time at
Pinewood, I was not allowed to use my differences or disadvantage as an excuse.
I have never been able to thank the Pinewood community and my classmates
for welcoming me and others from EPATT. Somehow ‘thank you’ does not seem
sufficient; however, I am deeply grateful and moved by your generosity and
continued support. ”
Pinewood congratulates Irene on her success and admires her dedication to helping
those around her.
Posted: November 2009
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