UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

CALVIN E. BRIGHT SUCCESS CENTER UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED

5200 N. LAKE ROAD
MERCED, CALIFORNIA 95343-5603

February 18, 2019

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I submit this letter of recommendation for Ms. Natalia Lopez Medrano for
your scholarship consideration. As the Associate Director for Educational Equity and Access within
the Calvin E. Bright Success Center at the University of California, Merced, I have known Natalia for
over three years. It is in this context that the following observations and recommendations are written.

As a student scholar and student leader at Merced High School, Natalia has distinguished herself as
an engaging role model for her student peers. She has shown herself to be a responsible and
dedicated individual. She has a deep sense of concern for others, and has a good understanding of
personal development and group dynamics. Natalia’s outreach skills are excellent, enabling her to
establish good relationships with a wide variety of people. Natalia’s decisions are based on what
would be best for all concerned and not what would be easiest to do. I believe her commitment to
helping people is most genuine.

I have enjoyed working with Natalia; she is a conscientious, compassionate and caring individual with
a warm sense of humor. Her ability to maintain a positive attitude and keep a heavy school and
activity workload in perspective is to be commended. Natalia’s commitment to her education has been
demonstrated by her involvement on the Merced High School campus, UC Pre-College Scholars, UC
Merced Gateway Scholars Program and within the Merced community (via the Key Club), and
coupled with her outstanding academic performance represents the type of student that should be
embraced in any community of scholars.

Her level of maturity for someone her age is exceptional. Natalia has grown both intellectually as well
personally, during her high school tenure; this is most evident in her willingness to engage in
scholarly dialogue, coupled with her ability to implement into practical application what she has
learned.

Natalia has been involved UC Merced’s Gateway Scholars Program, a college-bound program for
first-generation low-income students, throughout her time in high school that has assisted her in
becoming eligible and prepared for college. For Natalia, this experience has helped her to see and
identify the variables that contribute to or hinder a young person’s success in life. It has been an eye-
opening experience and has contributed to her commitment to her education as a means to helping
people.

Natalia and her family reside in the San Joaquin Valley, long considered one of the most
impoverished areas in the United States, which has provided her first-hand experience the importance
of accessibility to education. Her strengths can be traced to her own origins, her commitment to be
part of the first generation in her family to attain a college degree, the unconditional love and support
of her family, and the desire to help those who share the same dream.
Natalia has distinguished herself as an emerging student leader as well as a person of conscience.
The latter has been most evident in Natalia’s efforts to assist others in developing an understanding
and appreciation of differences. Her openness to new experiences and challenges coupled with her
receptivity and effectiveness with a variety of constituencies will bring an individual of versatility and
solid work ethic. And, she is commended with a high degree of confidence and high expectations.

Natalia is an example of the greatness one can achieve despite obstacles that present themselves
through societal, cultural, or personal formations. This is a young woman who is in a perpetual state of
personal and intellectual growth and not one to shy away from those things that will enhance or
contribute to that growth. What I value so much about Natalia is her willingness to share about her life
with students who come from the same origins as she does. She is awe inspiring in her ability to
motivate young people to achieve their own personal greatness.

We currently are in uncertain times in our country and around the world, but it is individuals such as
Natalia who keep the light of hope burning. That we as scholars, not only have the responsibility to
create learning communities that foster intellectual development, but that we are also the stewards of
developing young scholars of conscience who will implement positive change. Natalia is an
exceptional young woman who possesses those attributes that are invaluable to a person of highest
convictions; e.g., commitment, passion, and intelligence. Be assured that Natalia Lopez Medrano will
represent your program with these attributes.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (209) 228-4625.

Sincerely,

Alejandro S. Delgadillo
Associate Director for Educational Equity and Access
Calvin E. Bright Success Center
UC Merced