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Beautiful Dreamers
The heroic love of parents; caring adults; and first-generation college ambition.
Fatima Jimenez, DSHA ’20, is a bright young woman with big dreams. These dreams include earning a college degree and one day becoming a military psychologist. She is a first-generation college-bound student who is grateful for her DSHA education and the opportunities it provides. But her dreams do not begin at 4257 N. 100th St., Milwaukee, WI.
FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY
Fatima is a young woman who knows her dreams have roots that are deeper than her own memories. Her dreams are an extension of love, tenacity and sacrifice that took root in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico nearly 30 years ago when Fatima’s parents, both born and raised in Guadalajara, met in their church choir as children. They married in 1994 and now have eight children. When Fatima, the fifth child, was 9 months old, her father Jose Luis Jimenez moved to the United States to seek opportunity for his family. He promised his wife, Silvia Jimenez, that he would return in a year if he was unable to find employment.
In 2002, Jose Luis secured a position working at a factory in Milwaukee, but the job was secondary to the hopes and dreams he and Silvia had for their children. The whole family — including a 2-year-old Fatima — soon joined him. Years later, Jose Luis and Silvia have seen their dreams turn into a reality. Their oldest daughter, Mayra, graduated from Cardinal Stritch University in 2016, and they expect to attend many more of their children’s college graduations — including Fatima’s.
A COMMITMENT TO ALL GIRLS
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FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY
Fatima is a young woman who knows her dreams have roots that are deeper than her own memories. Her dreams are an extension of love, tenacity and sacrifice that took root in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico nearly 30 years ago when Fatima’s parents, both born and raised in Guadalajara, met in their church choir as children. They married in 1994 and now have eight children. When Fatima, the fifth child, was 9 months old, her father Jose Luis Jimenez moved to the United States to seek opportunity for his family. He promised his wife, Silvia Jimenez, that he would return in a year if he was unable to find employment.
In 2002, Jose Luis secured a position working at a factory in Milwaukee, but the job was secondary to the hopes and dreams he and Silvia had for their children. The whole family — including a 2-year-old Fatima — soon joined him. Years later, Jose Luis and Silvia have seen their dreams turn into a reality. Their oldest daughter, Mayra, graduated from Cardinal Stritch University in 2016, and they expect to attend many more of their children’s college graduations — including Fatima’s.
A COMMITMENT TO ALL GIRLS
A few years before Fatima would set foot on the DSHA campus as a freshman, Principal Dan Quesnell and Director of College Advising Jim Stamatakos had a dream of their own — specifically for first-generation students like Fatima.
In 2014, Stamatakos began at DSHA. Within his first few days on the job, he and Quesnell met for a standard touch-base. “Dan shared that we could do a better job of providing college readiness programming for our first-generation students,” Stamatakos shares. “He noticed the attendance at our college events was not as high for our first-generation students and their families, and they were struggling with language barriers and other parts of the process that can be overwhelming for anyone, first-generation or not.”
“We are committed to serving all of our students and families as a Catholic, college-preparatory school. That service may look different from
family to family,” Quesnell shares. “We had to ask, how can we provide appropriate support from the standpoint of admissions to scholarships to
financial aid and more?”
At their initial meeting, Quesnell asked Stamatakos to put this dream on his list of strategic initiatives to think about for the future but not to worry about jumping into it right away, given his full plate at the time.
In 2014, Stamatakos began at DSHA. Within his first few days on the job, he and Quesnell met for a standard touch-base. “Dan shared that we could do a better job of providing college readiness programming for our first-generation students,” Stamatakos shares. “He noticed the attendance at our college events was not as high for our first-generation students and their families, and they were struggling with language barriers and other parts of the process that can be overwhelming for anyone, first-generation or not.”
“We are committed to serving all of our students and families as a Catholic, college-preparatory school. That service may look different from
family to family,” Quesnell shares. “We had to ask, how can we provide appropriate support from the standpoint of admissions to scholarships to
financial aid and more?”
At their initial meeting, Quesnell asked Stamatakos to put this dream on his list of strategic initiatives to think about for the future but not to worry about jumping into it right away, given his full plate at the time.
Stamatakos, however, is arguably one of the most dedicated college advisors working in the state of Wisconsin. Name a DSHA graduate from his
tenure, and he will tell you not only where she went to school, but to which schools she applied, how and why she determined it was the right fit, and the specific scholarships she received. Following his initial conversation with Quesnell, and in his typical all-in fashion, he immediately started to research similar programs and began to outline a curriculum.
DSHA DREAMERS
tenure, and he will tell you not only where she went to school, but to which schools she applied, how and why she determined it was the right fit, and the specific scholarships she received. Following his initial conversation with Quesnell, and in his typical all-in fashion, he immediately started to research similar programs and began to outline a curriculum.
DSHA DREAMERS
In his career, Stamatakos has advised over 2,000 students through the college admissions process. While most students begin this journey during
junior year, he saw an opportunity for proactive, early outreach to first-generation, college-bound students. He had a vision for early college
counseling and college literacy programming for students facing the challenge of navigating this through a different lens than students whose
parents have gone before them. And thus, the Bridge Builders program was officially born in August of 2017.
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME
One of Fatima’s favorite components of Bridge Builders is that she has been able to incorporate her mentor into the program. And she feels she has hit the jackpot. Ann Swain, whose daughter, Katie, graduated from DSHA in 2010, has been serving as Fatima’s mentor since January of 2017.
junior year, he saw an opportunity for proactive, early outreach to first-generation, college-bound students. He had a vision for early college
counseling and college literacy programming for students facing the challenge of navigating this through a different lens than students whose
parents have gone before them. And thus, the Bridge Builders program was officially born in August of 2017.
The Bridge Builders program connects firstgeneration students like Fatima with dedicated resources to help navigate and demystify the
college admissions process. Beginning sophomore year, students meet monthly with Stamatakos, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and World
Languages Faculty Jim Wilkinson, and Jacki Black, Associate Director of Hispanic Initiatives at Marquette University. The group meets for bagels and donuts while they discuss topics such as identifying career dreams, financial aid and scholarships, and navigating the student
experience.
“Without Bridge Builders and the help we
get from Mr. Stamatakos and Mr. Wilkinson, I wouldn’t know how to go about this on my own. We all feel so encouraged,” Fatima shares. “I also
really love the fact that as an undocumented student, there are so many resources out there specifically for students in my situation.”
Around the same time Fatima will officially begin her college application process her senior year, her DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals) designation will expire. The first time she thought about how her DACA expiration and college applications might be ill-timed, she “was
so scared and stressed about the future,” she says. “As un undocumented student, I was afraid about whether college or the ability to apply for financial aid would even be a possibility for me. The help we receive in this program allows me to calm down and focus on the right steps instead of being constantly nervous and scared about whether I have the future my parents and I hope for."
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Fatima might be described as having an "old soul." She is keenly aware of the unique challenges she faces, but is impressively more aware of the opportunity that has been carved out for her. She is hesitant to speak about herself but she lights up when asked to speak about the people in her life who are building a bridge for her future — first and foremost, her parents — who she views as not only her heroes, her hope, and her opportunity, but also the caring adults who are walking alongside of her DSHA experience.
In addition to the dedication of Stamatakos, Wilkinson has been instrumental in Fatima’s high school experience. “It is so powerful for us to have Mr. ‘Wilk’ as our advocate. He doesn’t just care for us — he really actually does so much. For all of us,” she shares with a tone of admiration for his commitment, specifically to the DSHA Hispanic community.
“He understands what we go through — even as a white man — and that is so powerful. He is such an example for all of us.”
college admissions process. Beginning sophomore year, students meet monthly with Stamatakos, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and World
Languages Faculty Jim Wilkinson, and Jacki Black, Associate Director of Hispanic Initiatives at Marquette University. The group meets for bagels and donuts while they discuss topics such as identifying career dreams, financial aid and scholarships, and navigating the student
experience.
“Without Bridge Builders and the help we
get from Mr. Stamatakos and Mr. Wilkinson, I wouldn’t know how to go about this on my own. We all feel so encouraged,” Fatima shares. “I also
really love the fact that as an undocumented student, there are so many resources out there specifically for students in my situation.”
Around the same time Fatima will officially begin her college application process her senior year, her DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals) designation will expire. The first time she thought about how her DACA expiration and college applications might be ill-timed, she “was
so scared and stressed about the future,” she says. “As un undocumented student, I was afraid about whether college or the ability to apply for financial aid would even be a possibility for me. The help we receive in this program allows me to calm down and focus on the right steps instead of being constantly nervous and scared about whether I have the future my parents and I hope for."
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Fatima might be described as having an "old soul." She is keenly aware of the unique challenges she faces, but is impressively more aware of the opportunity that has been carved out for her. She is hesitant to speak about herself but she lights up when asked to speak about the people in her life who are building a bridge for her future — first and foremost, her parents — who she views as not only her heroes, her hope, and her opportunity, but also the caring adults who are walking alongside of her DSHA experience.
In addition to the dedication of Stamatakos, Wilkinson has been instrumental in Fatima’s high school experience. “It is so powerful for us to have Mr. ‘Wilk’ as our advocate. He doesn’t just care for us — he really actually does so much. For all of us,” she shares with a tone of admiration for his commitment, specifically to the DSHA Hispanic community.
“He understands what we go through — even as a white man — and that is so powerful. He is such an example for all of us.”
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME
One of Fatima’s favorite components of Bridge Builders is that she has been able to incorporate her mentor into the program. And she feels she has hit the jackpot. Ann Swain, whose daughter, Katie, graduated from DSHA in 2010, has been serving as Fatima’s mentor since January of 2017.
Swain attends the Bridge Builders meetings at DSHA, but they also meet regularly outside of school to follow up on topics covered in their meetings, as well as how things are going for Fatima — from academics to her social life.
Swain describes her own daughter’s DSHA experience with such gratitude, and holds the same kind of committed regard for her role in Fatima’s college-preparatory experience.
“I love that by giving my time alone, I can make a difference in the lives of these girls,” she says. “If they can handle it here, they will succeed. But most importantly, for these first-generation students that may not have a parent that can navigate and collaborate a complicated process — in potentially a different language — this program is key to helping these girls find a place of belonging. And to truly feel and know they fit in academically and socially.”
Swain and Fatima have a very special relationship that extends well beyond what was scripted for them nearly a year ago. “I take on our relationship as I would with my own daughter in navigating high school and the transition to preparing for college,” Swain shares.
2017-2018 Bridge Builders Program
Swain describes her own daughter’s DSHA experience with such gratitude, and holds the same kind of committed regard for her role in Fatima’s college-preparatory experience.
“I love that by giving my time alone, I can make a difference in the lives of these girls,” she says. “If they can handle it here, they will succeed. But most importantly, for these first-generation students that may not have a parent that can navigate and collaborate a complicated process — in potentially a different language — this program is key to helping these girls find a place of belonging. And to truly feel and know they fit in academically and socially.”
Swain and Fatima have a very special relationship that extends well beyond what was scripted for them nearly a year ago. “I take on our relationship as I would with my own daughter in navigating high school and the transition to preparing for college,” Swain shares.
And what happens when Swain is mentioned to Fatima? She glows. And then says, “She is such a blessing to me. She always encourages me and gives me such good advice. She is so caring toward me and understands my situation.”
When each member of this pair was asked to describe one of their out-of-school meet-ups, they both shared the same story: an ice cream outing at Purple Door in Milwaukee — a few blocks from Fatima’s home that ended in a part-time job.
Swain had previously gotten to know the owner of Purple Door as they will be catering her daughter’s wedding this summer. After Fatima expressed interest in finding a job, Swain called her contact as a reference, and soon Fatima began working 2-3 nights per week to help save for college and pitch in on family bills.
But perhaps the sweetest part of the story is this: this summer, when Swain will watch her daughter Katie get married, her "second daughter" as she says, Fatima, will be on hand representing Purple Door. “It really is an extension of family,” Swain describes with an authentic love for her “second daughter."
REAL LIFE SUPERHEROES
__________________________________________________________________________________When each member of this pair was asked to describe one of their out-of-school meet-ups, they both shared the same story: an ice cream outing at Purple Door in Milwaukee — a few blocks from Fatima’s home that ended in a part-time job.
Swain had previously gotten to know the owner of Purple Door as they will be catering her daughter’s wedding this summer. After Fatima expressed interest in finding a job, Swain called her contact as a reference, and soon Fatima began working 2-3 nights per week to help save for college and pitch in on family bills.
But perhaps the sweetest part of the story is this: this summer, when Swain will watch her daughter Katie get married, her "second daughter" as she says, Fatima, will be on hand representing Purple Door. “It really is an extension of family,” Swain describes with an authentic love for her “second daughter."
REAL LIFE SUPERHEROES
Many people have helped build this bridge for Fatima and her future. Stamatakos, Wilkinson, and Swain have each been a proactive force of encouragement and resource. This is a rising high school junior who knows she is cared for with advocates in many corners — each laying a piece of this bridge that is guiding her toward her college and career dreams. And while each of these people have carried important roles, it is Fatima’s parents who created the blueprints and laid the foundation — and it is strong. The planning began in Guadalajara, and this bridge has since been built with sacrifice and encouragement, with love and big dreams.
“My parents are my heroes. My sister, too. My mom was able to finish high school, and my dad was one of twelve kids,” Fatima shares. “He was the second oldest, so he had to move back home to help work and support his younger siblings. He always tells me that if he could go to school for 8 hours and then work for 5 more — and then find time to study — I can work hard, too.”
Fatima beams with pride and gratitude when she speaks of her family. Their collective story has, “taught me to appreciate my education so much more,” she shares. “My mom always tells me to take advantage of every opportunity. And if we were in Mexico, it would be so different. And my dad works so hard for all of us — to have the life he wasn’t able to have — but he wants it for us. So he works to put food on our table and encourage me in my studies.”
“My parents are my heroes. My sister, too. My mom was able to finish high school, and my dad was one of twelve kids,” Fatima shares. “He was the second oldest, so he had to move back home to help work and support his younger siblings. He always tells me that if he could go to school for 8 hours and then work for 5 more — and then find time to study — I can work hard, too.”
Fatima beams with pride and gratitude when she speaks of her family. Their collective story has, “taught me to appreciate my education so much more,” she shares. “My mom always tells me to take advantage of every opportunity. And if we were in Mexico, it would be so different. And my dad works so hard for all of us — to have the life he wasn’t able to have — but he wants it for us. So he works to put food on our table and encourage me in my studies.”
With the wisdom of someone well beyond 16 years old, Fatima so clearly connects the dots between the love and grit displayed by her parents and her DSHA opportunity. To this extraordinary young woman, one is a very clear extension of the other. “Their journey motivates me to do better in school," she says. "I want to prove to my parents that their sacrifice was for a reason. I tell them I appreciate the hard decisions they’ve had to make, and I want my future to show them it was worth it.”
BUILDING TOWARD THE FUTURE
BUILDING TOWARD THE FUTURE
While Bridge Builders has finished its inaugural year and Stamatakos and Wilkinson are in the process of tweaking the structure for 2018-2019, they would both call year one a success. And perhaps more importantly, so would Fatima.
“Bridge Builders has helped make me feel proud of where I come from,” she says. “It is possible for an undocumented student to strive for a great future because resources and opportunities are out there — for me and my classmates.”
Of her experience in the program, Fatima summarizes: "I am not alone, and I feel safe. And loved."
__________________________________________________________________________________________
“Bridge Builders has helped make me feel proud of where I come from,” she says. “It is possible for an undocumented student to strive for a great future because resources and opportunities are out there — for me and my classmates.”
Of her experience in the program, Fatima summarizes: "I am not alone, and I feel safe. And loved."
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The name for the Bridge Builders program was inspired by the following poem first published in 1900:
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
by Will Allen Dromgoole
An old man going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way;
You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
by Will Allen Dromgoole
An old man going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way;
You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
2017-2018 Bridge Builders Program
AUGUST | PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Topic: Outline of program goals.
Presenters: Jacki Black, Associate Director of Spanish Initiatives, MU; Jim Stamatakos, DSHA College Advisor; Jim Wilkinson, DSHA Diversity & Inclusion Director
SEPTEMBER | DREAM BIG!
Topic: How to identify long-term hopes & goals.
Presenter: Jim Wilkinson, DSHA Diversity &
Inclusion Director
OCTOBER | CAREER “FIT” & SERVICES
Topic: How to discern academic and career “fit”
Presenter: Laura Kestner-Ricketts, Director of Career Services, MU; Amy Leahy, HR Director, S3 International
Topic: Outline of program goals.
Presenters: Jacki Black, Associate Director of Spanish Initiatives, MU; Jim Stamatakos, DSHA College Advisor; Jim Wilkinson, DSHA Diversity & Inclusion Director
SEPTEMBER | DREAM BIG!
Topic: How to identify long-term hopes & goals.
Presenter: Jim Wilkinson, DSHA Diversity &
Inclusion Director
OCTOBER | CAREER “FIT” & SERVICES
Topic: How to discern academic and career “fit”
Presenter: Laura Kestner-Ricketts, Director of Career Services, MU; Amy Leahy, HR Director, S3 International
NOVEMBER: NAVIGATING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Topic: Resources available to research
college options.
Presenters: Gaby Dorantes, Academic Advisor, UWM; Eva Martinez-Powless, Director of Intercultural Engagement, MU
JANUARY | COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Topic: College application review process.
Presenters: Ruth Lopez de Arenas, Undergraduate Admissions Counselor and Latino Outreach Coordinator, Alverno College; Tara Mullarkey, Admissions Counselor, MU; Mayra Rodriguez, Admissions Counselor, MU
FEBRUARY | PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Topic: Benefits of summer programming and community service.
Presenters: MU Yarlian Vazquez, Health Careers Opportunity Program, MU; Abby Kanyer, Engineering Outreach Coordinator, MU; Zuleyka Rios, Summer Leadership Institute, MU
MARCH | COLLEGE STUDENT PANEL
Topic: First-generation DSHA alumnae share their college stories.
Presenters: Itzel Matamoros, DSHA ’15, Junior at MU; Lupe Serna, DSHA ’15, Junior at MU; Azucena Gargia, DSHA ‘16, Sopomore at MU
APRIL | AFFORDING COLLEGE
Topic: Financial aid options for both documented and undocumented students.
Presenter: Yesenia Valle-Gomez, Financial Aid Office Manager, Alverno College
Topic: Resources available to research
college options.
Presenters: Gaby Dorantes, Academic Advisor, UWM; Eva Martinez-Powless, Director of Intercultural Engagement, MU
JANUARY | COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Topic: College application review process.
Presenters: Ruth Lopez de Arenas, Undergraduate Admissions Counselor and Latino Outreach Coordinator, Alverno College; Tara Mullarkey, Admissions Counselor, MU; Mayra Rodriguez, Admissions Counselor, MU
FEBRUARY | PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Topic: Benefits of summer programming and community service.
Presenters: MU Yarlian Vazquez, Health Careers Opportunity Program, MU; Abby Kanyer, Engineering Outreach Coordinator, MU; Zuleyka Rios, Summer Leadership Institute, MU
MARCH | COLLEGE STUDENT PANEL
Topic: First-generation DSHA alumnae share their college stories.
Presenters: Itzel Matamoros, DSHA ’15, Junior at MU; Lupe Serna, DSHA ’15, Junior at MU; Azucena Gargia, DSHA ‘16, Sopomore at MU
APRIL | AFFORDING COLLEGE
Topic: Financial aid options for both documented and undocumented students.
Presenter: Yesenia Valle-Gomez, Financial Aid Office Manager, Alverno College
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The original bridge builders: Jose Luis, Fatima, and Silvia Jimenez
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The heroic love of a father: Fatima and Jose Jimenez reunited as a family in Milwaukee.
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The steadfast love of a mother: Fatima and Silvia Jimenez in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico.
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An unexpected friendship: Ann Swain and Fatima Jimenez pose during one of their regular outings.
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A champion for ALL girls: Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Jim Wilkinson.
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The tenacity of a Director of College Advising extraordinaire: Jim Stamatakos in his element.
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Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
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