For Immediate Release Blanca Morales is Named SAC`s 2006

NEWS
June 6, 2006
Contact: Ruth Cossio-Muniz
Public Information Coordinator
Phone (714) 564-6475, Mobile (714) 401-7884
For Immediate Release
Blanca Morales is Named SAC’s 2006 Valedictorian
She Will Pursue a Career as a Primary Healthcare Physician
(Santa Ana, CA) – Biological science major, Blanca Morales, was named Santa Ana College’s
valedictorian for the class of 2006. She will deliver a speech to her fellow classmates at the 90th
commencement ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at the Santa Ana Bowl/Eddie
West Field located at the corner of Flower Street and Civic Center Drive in Santa Ana. Morales plans to
study in the medical field at the University of California, Irvine, with wishes of becoming a doctor someday.
Her struggles and accomplishments inspire other minority students who may think higher education cannot
happen for them -- truth is, it can.
Morales, an honors student, was born in the heart of Mexico City in 1984. At a young age, her
family moved to Santa Ana in search of a brighter future. Soon she entered school, learned English and was
embedded into the educational system. In spite of their modest living, the Morales family stressed the
importance of education. As difficulties became prominent in the family, she found her only escape within
the comfort of her books.
She is especially grateful to have parents who encourage education and who have taught her the
value and importance of hard work and formal education. Not to mention, she is thankful and happy to have
friends who have given her moral support throughout her difficult times.
“I want to encourage all students to start realizing their dreams,” voiced Morales. “All of us have
dreams…we just have to let those dreams lead us and be our inspiration to face the challenges of life.”
Pursuing her dreams, she hopes to someday be a primary healthcare physician and help individuals
with physical complications as well as serve as a role model to empower other under-represented minority
individuals, like her.
- more Public Information Office 1530 W. 17th Street  Santa Ana, CA 92706  Phone: (714) 564-6475  Fax: (714) 8355059
www.sac.edu
Morales SAC Valedictorian
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“In the future, I see myself as ‘Dr. Morales’,” exclaimed Morales eagerly. “I want to be able to help
out individuals directly by improving the quality of their lives.”
Morales interacted with a diverse group of students on a personal level throughout her enrollment
at SAC. She developed her intellectual abilities by completing her academic courses and, most importantly,
strengthened her character by overcoming the challenges of being an under-represented minority student.
While at SAC, Morales was honored with various awards for her achievements such as Outstanding
Chemistry Student of the Year by SAC faculty, member in the First Academic Team for the
Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Competition, and co-authorship of “Latino/a Student Success
Project: An Exploratory Study of Community College Students.”
“There are many students who work meticulously during their attendance at SAC,” said Morales
who is tremendously overjoyed that she was chosen as valedictorian for the class of 2006. “I represent a
specific example of the quality of education SAC is capable of giving to the community.”
Santa Ana College is a public community college that serves over 40,000 credit and non-credit
students annually. SAC provides education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and
professional development, and workforce training for business and industry.
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Public Information Office 1530 W. 17th Street  Santa Ana, CA 92706  Phone: (714) 564-6475  Fax: (714) 8355059
www.sac.edu