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Alumni Spotlight: Lesly Aponte Pineda

Posted by Hector Ponce on April 23, 2025

Name:

Lesly Aponte Pineda

High School:

Youngker High School (Class of 2023)

Postsecondary Plan:

Construction Management and Technology, Arizona State University

Journey:

From a high school student in Buckeye, Arizona, to a driven college junior with big aspirations in the construction industry, Lesly Aponte Pineda has proven what’s possible with hard work and determination.

Lesly first connected with Arizona GEAR UP during her junior year of high school, when she began exploring attending college. “They were very helpful,” she… Read more

5E High Schools Spotlight: Empowering Students Every Step of the Way

Posted by Hector Ponce on April 18, 2025

Across Arizona, our 5E high schools have been creating impactful, student-centered experiences that break barriers and open doors to opportunity. From multilingual workshops to STEM exploration and surprise student reunions, these schools are making sure every student feels seen, supported, and set up for success.

February Highlight:

Youngker High School – Spanish College Workshop
Youngker High School kicked off the spring with a thoughtful workshop delivered entirely in… Read more

Introducing Jennifer Hernandez: Our Newest Academic Program Coordinator

Posted by Hector Ponce on March 19, 2025

Arizona GEAR UP is excited to welcome Jennifer Hernandez as the newest member of our team! Jennifer joins us as the Academic Program Coordinator, where she will be working with our 5E High Schools to support students on their journey to postsecondary education.

Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in college access and youth development. Before stepping into this role, she worked with College Depot since February 2023, and has spent the past five years deeply engaged… Read more

Arizona’s FAFSA Progress: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

Posted by Hector Ponce on March 18, 2025

View the entire letter here.

Arizona has made remarkable progress in FAFSA completion, marking a significant step in expanding college access for students statewide. A recent announcement highlights that nearly 30,000 high school seniors have already completed their 2025-26 FAFSA, pushing the state’s completion rate to 26.3%—a dramatic improvement from 18% in April 2024. This growth places Arizona second in the nation for year-over-year FAFSA completion gains, showcasing the dedication of educators and… Read more

Familiar Face in a New Place

Posted by Hector Ponce on November 7, 2024

Rebecca McIlvaine is bringing her passion for student success to her new role as a GEAR UP coach at Buckeye Union High School in Buckeye, Arizona. After working behind the scenes in the state office, she’s excited to reconnect with what she loves—helping students and families prepare for college.

“I missed working with kids,” McIlvaine shares. “Being back around them makes me so happy.”

With a strong background in education, Rebecca is ready to make an impact at one of 5E’s… Read more

National GEAR UP Week 2024 Recap

Posted by Hector Ponce on September 27, 2024

Another Successful National GEAR UP Week in the Grand Canyon State!
National GEAR UP Week is a time to celebrate GEAR UP students’ accomplishments and recognize GEAR UP programs’ positive impact on communities nationwide. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs marked the occasion by proclaiming September 23-27, 2024, as Arizona GEAR UP Week.

At our 5E’s of Equity High Schools, multiple celebrations took place. At Amphitheater High School in Tucson, students enjoyed lunch events… Read more

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    15451 N. 28th Ave., Suite 216
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