Daisy Boeckmann, EXP Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives + EXP Alumni, Carson High School ‘17

A Message from EXP Staff & Alum, Daisy Boeckmann

Dear fellow ITEP/EXP alums,

From Mock Interviews, Oceans of Opportunity, career EXPloration fairs, and more, Spring has been an exciting season for EXP-supported high school students and alums!

The Oceans of Opportunity Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 27, was a success! We had more than 300 guests in attendance, including nearly 20 alums and 7 scholarship recipients and raised over half a million dollars! We are in awe by the community’s support and investment in the future of our students as well as continuing the growth of our alumni.

Our mock interviews were also a success. 96 volunteers, including at least 2 EXP alums, helped 81 students practice their interview skills and prepare for summer internship placements.

We love that alums continue to give back to help current students prepare for their future! We have so many ways you can get involved. Be sure to stay up-to-date with current announcements and get connected with fellow alumni on our Alumni Facebook Group. Also, tell your colleagues and friends to connect with EXP as well.

Please stay connected! Feel free to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns on ways to get involved and to EXPand our EXP Alumni Network.

I can’t wait to hear from you all!

Daisy Boeckmann ‘17
EXP Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives | daisy@expfuture.org

Level Up Workshops Are Back!

Earlier this month, Valerie Rivas and Telebah Woods of Bank of America co-presented “Better Money Habits” – a financial basics workshop that covered budgeting, saving, and establishing credit. Thank you, Valerie and Telebah, for hosting this essential workshop for EXP alumni and young adults!

Our next virtual workshop will take place in July. Stay tuned for more details!

Have an idea for a workshop topic? Please email Daisy at daisy@expfuture.org.

Alumni Spotlight: Velinda Meza

Velinda Meza '04
Reliability Engineer for Boeing
Phineas Banning High School, International Trade Academy

Velinda Meza’s journey to becoming a STEM professional “all started with that one summer internship.” She participated in EXP’s summer internship program and did her internship with the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). After graduating high school, Velinda accepted an offer to go back to POLA and chose to work in the Engineering Division. This experience inspired her to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Velinda now works as a Reliability Engineer for Boeing, supporting their Defense and Space programs. She currently works on reliability for the Artemis II Space Launch System.

Velinda has volunteered with EXP for several years, including chaperoning the Cal Maritime trip. Recently, she volunteered as a panelist at our Women in STEM event in February to share her career journey to inspire the next generation of Women in STEM. She also shared her alumni experience in “On Track to Success” video, which opened the Oceans of Opportunity dinner.

“I feel like I owe my career to EXP,” she said. “If I could help even one student on their own path to success like someone helped me, then I have truly succeeded and passed on the torch to the next generation to do the same and succeed and help out the next group.”

We are so grateful to Velinda and our alums who return to EXP to share their stories and support!

All aboard! Hear from our student, alum, educator, and volunteer on how EXP prepares students for a better life and helps them stay on track to success.

Want to be featured in the next edition? Email us at alumni@expfuture.org.

Alumni in Action

Thank you to our alums who supported our programs this spring!

Mock Interview Volunteers:

Zachary Mendoza ’19, Carson HS.
Erick OjedaGarcia ’12, Phineas Banning HS.

Oceans of Opportunity Scholarship and Awards Celebration:

Dalia Palsson '03 – Phineas Banning HS, event co-host. (Pictured, center.)
Victor Ibarra ‘11 – Phineas Banning HS, presenter of The Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award.
Eva Fluker '02 – Phineas Banning HS, presenter of The Keeper of the Flame Award.
EXP Director of Program Operations Alejandra Garcia '06 - Phineas Banning HS, scholarship celebration introduction.

Congratulations to the alumni scholarship recipients!

Crystal Dyea '22 – Barstow HS..
Willie Alvarez '20 – Phineas Banning HS. (Pictured, right.)
Norma Olvera Gallardo '13 – Phineas Banning HS (Pictured, right.)
Toni Alvarez '19 - Phineas Banning HS.
Frances Suavillo '20 – Carson HS.
Jocelyn Soto '20 – Barstow HS.
Kemberly Valenzuela '22, Barstow HS.

The Spark: EXP Alums Make Our Programs a Success!