Show Mentor fuels careers in math and science Yv Yvonne Villarreal Los Angeles Times Before her sophomore year in high school Gloria Alday never dreamed of going away to college Her traditional Mexican father didn't want her to leave the family home Buta two program in Santa Ana inspired her to academic greatness and despite her fathers father's disapproval she was accepted by Yale New York University the University of Michigan and hd the University of California Berkeley Four years later Alday 21 is scheduled to graduate from Yale in May an achievement she credits largely to the Achievement Institute of Scientific Studies The year two-year program is geared to excite students about careers that math and science skills This program has been beena a very deep inspiration for forme forme forme me Alday said Paul J. J Riordan 75 who taught for 35 years in the Santa Ana Unified School District said he grew tired of people writing off otT Hispanics as dumb So he founded his nonprofit organization to prove their academic potential and it since has expanded to include any low-income low student in the district These kids are so uniquely different They each have a story Riordan said But they are all al alike ke kein in that they have so much against them They have true grit because they fight through the system despite their shortcomings Riordan held firmly to his walker as he shuffled along the carpet at a local i i iP ij j N s K P 9 1 Los Angeles Times photo by Don Bartletti Allison Truong right listens to Paul Riordan during a luncheon in Santa Ana Calif Riordan created the Achievement Institute of Scientific Studies restaurant during the groups group's latest meeting two days after Christmas After adjusting his large glasses he opened his arms wide Theres my kiddies Riordan said as they approached for a hug or a handshake You kids are areso areso areso so damn bright you scare me me Riordan's idea for Mentor Continued on page 2 Mentor for students Continued from page 1 I creating the program came in 1990 as he prepared for retirement I didn't want to hang around the house or play golf all day Riordan said This is my way of giving back But it it wasn't until 2001 I that he launched his nonprofit organization with seed money from his savings Since then businesses have contributed to the program When Riordan recruited his first batch of little chickies as he calls them he first had to come up with some requirements Riordan known as El Jefe the bo boss s by his students had envisioned the program for those who were poor and bright but that was only a starting point Other requirements include enrollment in a aSanta aSanta aSanta Santa Ana Unified school a minimum 35 grade- grade point average a letter of recommendation from a science or math teacher the commitment to attend 50 seminars put on by Riordan's institute during the summer Christmas and Easter school breaks approval from parents and eligibility for a federal free- free lunch program it No exceptions Riordan said Im a bottom I dont don't stray from the rules This year four students from each cach of five Santa Ana high schools will be selected We hope to expand to Anaheim soon Riordan said Im getting old there is only so much I can do I have set the foundation and andI I can only hope my dream is carried on by others The students are given a year to help pay for test fees college application fees and other school- school related expenditures a laptop computer SAT ACT preparation materials a graphics calculator and a blue windbreaker j jacket with the institutes institute's Academic Scholar insignia which must b be worn at the nonprofit's functions We have to put on our jackets before Paul comes said Claudia Leal 17 during a recent group meeting We have to wear them everywhere The students are grateful to be in the program with many giving up other activities to keep up Its hard sometimes said Nada Soeun 17 from Century High in Santa Ana Some kids think were we're nerds Some are just jealous But its it's worth it It gives us hope to see what careers we can get into if we just try During the summer the students meet at Delhi Community Center in Santa Ana where they listen to industry speakers and attend to how-to workshops They are also expected to write level college-level science papers and prepare and make presentations Its pretty intimidating being in this program because youre you're surrounded by all these smart people when before you were considered the smartest in your class said Sokha Pin 17 also from Century High But the competitiveness just makes me work harder The students also take field trips to industry sites places such as Inc lab facilities at the University of California Irvine to see how they can translate their interests into lasting careers There was never a program like this at my age said Sheri Werick a volunteer at the institute These kids are high achievers Its It's been my pleasure to offer my experience |