Pamela Bracamontes
PSJA Early College High School, Class of 2026
Plans to Attend: University of Tennessee,
Major: Political Science.
Awards/Honors
While at PSJA, I have received multiple awards in UIL Mathematics competitions. Additionally, I have received the First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Top Ten Percent Award, Honor Roll, Stop the Bleed Certificate, and a Certificate of Completion of the Latinas In Progress Education Program.
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?
I am a first-generation student. Neither of my parents attending college. My mother graduated from high school but my father did not. With being a first-generation student comes a lot of responsibility. Not only am I a first-generation student but I am also the oldest child in my family. Due to this I always felt the pressure of setting an example for the two younger sisters. Growing up, I would see all the countless sacrifices my parents made for our family. Unknowingly, this created more pressure for me. I have had to deal with the pressure of having to be successful in order for my parents' hard work to not be in vain. Additionally, I have also had to deal with setting an example for my younger siblings. This often means getting up early, doing double the work needed to, taking every opportunity whether it makes me uncomfortable or not, etc. I have tried to take every opportunity and make the best out of it in order to prove to my sisters, that it does not matter how much or how little we have and that we are capable of so much more than we would expect. That is what motivates my pursuit of education. I want to not only prove to my parents that their sacrifices were not in vain, but I also want to teach my sisters that we can accomplish so much. I hope that by being the first in my family to go to college, I can open doors for my sisters that were otherwise closed on my parents.
How have the opportunities offered at PSJA ISD, including the PSJA Early College Program, impacted your life?
Throughout my time at PSJA, I have had countless opportunities that have greatly impacted my life. During middle school, I participated in many UIL competitions. I qualified for the State UIL competition my 8th grade year and got 18th place. I had never thought that I was capable of achieving something so big. This opportunity along with so many others, taught be the importance of believing in myself and that I was capable of so much more than I imagined. Additionally, the PSJA Early College Program was another opportunity that greatly impacted my life. Neither of my parents attended college, so growing up attending college seemed like something I was most likely not going to be able to achieve. The PSJA Early College Program not only helped me graduate with an associates degree, but it also opened the door to the possibility of attending college. Now that I am graduating with my associates degree, I feel empowered. I no longer feel that college is not a place for me. I have been able to open up more doors and opportunities that I otherwise would not have been able to prior to my associates degree.
What, if anything, would you say to your PSJA Family?
I would tell my PSJA Family to always strive for excellence. Throughout my time here at PSJA I have 2 accomplished things I did not think possible. I would tell them that if their dreams are not scaring them, then they are not dreaming large enough. While at PSJA, I have set goals that I thought were unattainable, but with all the support and the countless opportunities PSJA has to offer, I have been able to accomplish my goals and so much more. Due to this, if I had a change to tell the younger PSJA students anything it would be this: Set your goals high. If your dreams and aspirations are not scaring you that means that you're not dreaming big enough. It is normal to be scared of not being able to achieve your goals, but you will have so many opportunities at PSJA and you will have such encouraging PSJA community behind you to help you along the way. Always dream big, and believe in yourself because you are capable of accomplishing so much more than you think!
