SWC News Center
Getting Back on Track: PUENTE’s Impact in My Life
By: Leonardo Luna - September 19, 2025
Born and partially raised in San Diego, a huge part of my identity comes from living in Tijuana and the strong influence of my family - most of whom were born and raised in Mexico. I began my studies in Mexico and continued them until my sophomore year of high school, when I made the challenging decision to continue my education in the United States. In the middle of the pandemic I transferred to Chula Vista High School, 100% remotely.
Starting high school in a language I did not fully understand, while navigating an unfamiliar school system, without any in-person social interaction, made my first year extremely difficult. For the first time in my life I failed a class, and worse yet, I felt like I had not learned or progressed at all during the academic year. Thankfully, I was able to turn things around during my junior year. I moved to a new house and switched schools, enrolling at San Ysidro High School - it felt like a fresh start and a chance to learn from my mistakes.
The first obstacle I experienced when I started my journey at Southwestern College was a lack of guidance. Even though I had supportive parents, as a first-generation college student, I was unfamiliar with the American educational system. The second obstacle was being diagnosed with depression. While this was difficult to face, understanding my diagnosis helped me better comprehend my struggles and find ways to overcome them.
This is where PUENTE took a main role in my life. Despite having been involved with PUENTE since the start of my academic journey, I was not very engaged at first. It was only after my diagnosis that I began focusing on self-care and getting back on track. Honestly, PUENTE was a huge factor in helping me overcome my depression. The program connected me with people who understood my background and were committed to helping me succeed. If they did not know how to help me, they always found someone who could.
Through PUENTE I started building relationships, improving academically, and enhancing my communication skills - boosting my confidence immensely. I eventually felt motivated to apply for a PUENTE officer position, something I would have never imagined months earlier. Staff members like Daniel Diaz and Blanca Herrera guided me, helping me aim higher while enjoying the process. Serving as a Community Liaison and eventually Co-President of the PUENTE club are some of the greatest personal and academic achievements I have accomplished. These roles are the basis of what I consider my biggest successes.
The PUENTE club also helped me embrace my heritage and understand its value. This awareness sparked a deeper interest in my present and future. Connecting with peers who share similar backgrounds and goals made me feel more comfortable and supported at school. Daniel and Blanca were always there, providing support and fostering a sense of belonging. The PUENTE hub became a safe space where I could study and relax, while helping me separate my academic work from rest, and making it easier to stay late at school. This involvement gave me opportunities to give speeches, participate in events, and understand my future academic options. I continue to take advantage of these opportunities today, including speaking at the Hispanic Heritage Month Flag Raising Ceremony and sharing my story.
After Southwestern College, I plan to transfer to UC Berkeley to major in Political Science, then attend law school and pursue a career as a lawyer. If all goes well, it will be the first time I will be on my own, living away from home.
A challenge that pushes me to thrive and keep moving forward is to keep growing as a person.
PUENTE did not just help me academically; it helped me find myself, my voice, and my path forward.