Brianna Alvarez
PSJA Early College High School, Class of 2025
Plans to Attend: University of Pennsylvania,
Major: Economics
Awards/Honors
- 2024 National First-Generation Recognition Program
- 2024 AP Scholar with Honor
- 2024 First Place Case Competition at McCombs Future Executive Academy
- 2024 UIL Theatrical Design Marketing State Qualifier
- 2024 UIL Prose 4th Place District Competition
- 2024 UIL Current Events Team District Champions & Regional Qualifier
- 2024 Palm Award Nomination for Best Featured Performer in a Musical
- 2023 AP SCHOLAR
- 2023 National Hispanic Recognition Program
- 2023 Dave Campbell Magazine Student Multimedia Program Award
- 2023 UIL Theatrical Design Marketing State Qualifier
- 2023 Fall Semester South Texas College Presidents Honor Roll
- 2023 JV One Act Play All Star Cast
- 2023 One Act Play Honorable Mention Cast
Tell us your story! What hardships or challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today? How have these experiences motivated you to pursue your educational dreams?
An astronomical array of glasses sits in the bottom drawer of my desk, seemingly collecting dust. Thin pink frames; cat-eye navy frames; squared tortoise shell frames. Since the pivotal moment the ophthalmologist gave the amblyopia diagnosis that would come to define my developing years, these frames—insignificant to others—have come to symbolize the different experiences that shaped me into the resilient Latina woman I am today, illuminating my diverse passions.
“It’s too blurry. I can’t see. I can’t see.” The words echoed in my head as I stared, or attempted to, at the times table quiz on my desk. Adorned in pink glasses that magnified my eyes and a purple adhesive eye patch with stars on my left eye, I couldn’t help but feel as useless as my right eye. While kids around me marked their papers with answers, the only thing marking mine were the splotches of tears. Being legally blind in one eye at the age of eight is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. Overburdened with panic and frustration, I furiously ripped the eyepatch from my eye, letting the pink frames clatter on my desk. The sensitive skin surrounding my eye throbbed as I attempted to recollect myself and finish the quiz, with only five minutes left.
As frustration mounted, I realized that avoiding the issue wouldn’t help me. I needed to find ways to work around my limitations rather than be defined by them. This became my turning point. I began doing eye exercises at home and requesting more time on tests where I wore my eyepatch. My eye never got better, but the lessons I learned turned out to be invaluable—like the importance of adaptability in the face of adversity. More subtly, it showed me that the challenges I face don’t define me; rather, they shape me.
Being the first in my family to have the opportunity to attain higher education has pressured me to succeed, setting the path for my siblings to follow. Initially, pursuing a career in the medical field felt like the safest option; it promised stability and financial security, which I believed were necessary to achieve the American Dream. However, as I sat in my health theory class, the words of my theater director echoed in my mind: “Whenever you talk about marketing, your eyes light up, and you look so excited. I don’t know why you want to do medicine.”
Pushing my cat-eye glasses farther up my nose, I questioned for the first time whether my choice stemmed from genuine passion or merely the desire to appease my Mami. I only entered a theatrical design marketing competition because my directors insisted. Reluctant at first, I soon found myself enamored by the world of crafting stories and shaping narratives through marketing. I loved the creativity, the strategy, and the way it blended art and logic to communicate powerful messages.
Though my right eye never healed, I’ve learned that clarity comes in many forms, the eye that I cursed so much turned out to be the one that has provided me with diverse opportunities, forcing me to see new perspectives with my left. I have become the adaptable, open-minded, and persevering girl I am today as a result. As I look ahead to the next phase of my life, I am exhilarated to see what new frames—and experiences—I will adorn next, each one offering fresh experiences and perspectives that will continue to shape my journey, fostering an even stronger everyday visibility of the world around me.
How have the opportunities offered at PSJA ISD, including the PSJA Early College Program, impacted your life?
The opportunities I’ve received at PSJA ISD, particularly through the Early College Program, have been transformative in shaping both my academic and personal growth. The wide variety of extracurriculars PSJA offers—ranging from Student Council to theater, broadcasting, and UIL Social Studies & Current Events—allowed me to explore my diverse interests while developing leadership, creativity, and teamwork skills.
It was through PSJA’s exceptional theater and fine arts programs that I found my true passion: marketing. Participating in UIL Theatrical Marketing Design competitions introduced me to the creative and strategic world of business marketing, sparking a passion I hadn’t realized before. Designing campaigns and presenting them in a competitive setting helped me realize the power of communication in bringing people together and creating meaningful change. This discovery has since shaped my career aspirations as I now hope to use marketing to address educational inequities, bridging achievement gaps in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. My experiences here have prepared me to pursue this mission at an Ivy League university, where I plan to make a lasting impact. Moreover, the Early College Program at PSJA has been instrumental in my academic success. By December 2024, I will graduate with my associate degree—a feat that many high school students don’t get to achieve, but one that PSJA makes possible for so many of its students. This program has not only provided me with a significant head start but has also alleviated the financial burden of higher education for my family. Knowing that I’ve already completed two years of college coursework has given me the confidence and determination to excel as I prepare to take on the next chapter of my academic journey.
Thanks to PSJA, I’ve not only discovered my passions but also cultivated the skills I need to succeed. I am incredibly grateful for the foundation PSJA has given me, one that I will carry with me as I work toward creating equitable opportunities for others.
What, if anything, would you say to your PSJA Family?
I am incredibly grateful to all the administrators, staff, custodians, security guards, counselors, and teachers who have made PSJA a place I could truly call home. It’s because of their dedication and hard work that I’ve been able to thrive in an environment filled with support and opportunities.
The incredible teachers and mentors PSJA has provided me with are some I hold near and dear to my 3 heart—there aren’t enough words to express how much they mean to me. If I tried to thank each one of them individually, I’d writing a novel. My successes are a direct result of their belief in me, pushing me to be the best version of myself, even during times when I struggled to believe in myself.
I hope to one day return to my PSJA family and give back to the community that has given me so much. Thank you, PSJA ISD, for not only opening doors to higher education but for also making my dreams feel possible. You’ve changed my life in ways I’ll never forget, and for that, I’ll always be indebted to you.
