Role models set table for this scholarship winner

Alma Gonzalez, a winner of one of the two Ruben Castro Memorial Scholarships for 2018, sees her parents and an aunt as the models for her personal and professional aspirations.

“My parents have worked hard and sacrificed a lot for me and my sister. I work hard because I want to make them proud of me,” Alma said of her parents, Jose and Josefina, who immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico. Jesus works for Boething Treeland Farms, and Josefina adds to the family income by looking after small children.

Growing up, Alma saw her Aunt Flor Padilla as a woman who was always there for someone in need. A foster parent who has four adopted children, Flor would explain in detail the interactions between herself and the child services agency

“There’s lots of love around her,” Alma said of her aunt’s household.

Alma, now 18, knew that she wanted to help people in a similar way, but she wasn’t sure how she could blend her passion into a successful profession.

Before she settled on studying social work, Alma thought nursing was her calling and focused on a certified nursing program. An internship at a retirement home gave Alma a first-hand look at what some nurses do.

“Other people enjoyed it – and I respect that – but I learned that it just wasn’t for me,” Alma said.  “I still had the desire to help people but there had to be another way.”

Her Moorpark High School advisor Madeline Knight told her not to worry and put her in touch with Kimi Beckstead, a social worker who led Alma on the path she follows today.

“She told me what her day was like, the types of cases she sees and how she interacts with people. It’s not for everyone, but I decided it was for me.”

Alma, who graduated with a 3.9 grade point average and now attends Moorpark College, plans to get her Associate of Arts degree before transferring to California State University, Long Beach.

The $500 scholarship, administered by Ruben Castro Charities, is a small but encouraging development for Alma, who is used to living on a budget.

“How I will pay for college is always on mind so I’m always looking at ways to save money,” said Alma. “I had heard that Moorpark College was a good school; I’m glad that it’s so close.”

In the summers prior to her freshman and sophomore year, Alma worked at Boething as well. Alma heard about community service opportunities through Holy Cross Catholic Church in Moorpark while preparing for her confirmation.

She volunteered for Ruben Castro Charities whose namesake was a longtime member and leader at Holy Cross. On Saturday mornings, Alma could be found helping with the Grab ‘n’ Go food distribution at the Career Education Center on Condor Drive.

“It started out just as fulfilling a requirement for confirmation and high school graduation but I found out that I really enjoy helping the families,” she said. “I got to know them not just as customers or clients, but as people. The families who come to RCC greatly appreciate the help that is given to them.”

Alma said it was easy to bond with the families who visit the Grab ‘n’ Go because her family is of the same income level and heritage. She also feels that the clients at RCC have helped her grow personally.

“I’ve learned to better communicate with people that I meet for the first time,” she said. “Serving has helped me realize that giving back to the community brings great satisfaction. In the end, everyone wins.”