When Flor looks back on her educational journey, she doesn't focus on how long it took or how many obstacles stood in her way. Instead, she focuses on one thing: she never stopped moving forward. 

Flor first connected with Pivotal in 2018 after enrolling at San José City College. At the time, she wasn't entirely sure what a coach could offer. She already had social workers and school counselors in her life, but she soon learned that Pivotal's support extended far beyond academics. 

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That support became especially important as Flor navigated some of life's toughest challenges. After aging out of foster care, she was balancing school while facing financial instability, mental health struggles, and uncertainty about her future. There were moments when finishing college felt impossibly far away. 

Throughout those years, Flor leaned on the people who believed in her, including her Pivotal coaches. One coach, Kayla, played a particularly meaningful role in helping her stay focused on her goals and trust in her own potential. 

"It is really helpful to have somebody believe in you and guide you through everything," Flor said. "Without Kayla's help, I don't think I would be doing what I'm doing right now." 

Her path wasn't always straightforward, but Flor was determined to find her way. She explored different majors, from sociology to early childhood development. Realizing that she had a passion for helping others, she transferred to San José State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Rather than slowing down, she immediately continued to a master's program. 

"Life gets hard at times," she said. "But you have to be persistent and know what you really want to do." 

Today, Flor's story has come full circle. After years as a Pivotal scholar and scholarship recipient, this month she’s coming back to Pivotal as a Social Work intern with Pivotal's coaching team. Inspired by the people who supported her, she hopes to help students navigate challenges of their own and become the kind of mentor she was once so grateful to have. 

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When asked what she is most proud of, Flor's answer isn't a degree, a title, or an accomplishment. 

"I never gave up," she said. "A lot of things happened in my life where I could have easily chosen to quit, but I didn't." 

For young people facing challenges of their own, her advice is simple: "Be patient with yourself. Sometimes it's okay to take a break, take everything in, and give yourself a little love." 

Flor's journey is proof that success isn't about having a perfect path. It's about choosing to keep moving forward, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. And with every step, she's creating a brighter future not only for herself but for the students she hopes to inspire next.