Investing in student pays off for everyone

By Eddie Jimenez / The Fresno Bee

February 27, 2006

Janete Perez is soon to be a graduate of Brown University, a program manager for Microsoft and a productive, taxpaying member of society.

The 2001 McLane High School graduate already is a great story and an example of how raising expectations for Valley students pays off for everyone.

Perez, a computer science major at Brown, interned last summer at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash. While leaving a company event, she was asked by a Microsoft executive where she was from. He was surprised when she replied, "Fresno," and he wanted to know how she ended up at Brown.

The answer to that question is where this great story begins.

Perez credits her "guardian angel," Diana Rodriquez, then a McLane High counselor. Rodriquez remembers Perez as a top student and a self-motivated young lady with enormous potential, but in need of some guidance. "Mija, you don't want to go into a cooking class," Rodriquez advised Perez.

Rodriquez, now a Sunnyside High School counselor, organizes a spring tour of Ivy League schools for Fresno students each year. Martin Mares, a principal in Parlier, coordinates a similar trip. Perez visited the colleges during her junior year at McLane, opening up a whole new world for her.

Perez, who turned 23 on Valentine's Day, will graduate from Brown in May and then begin working for Bill Gates.

"I love Brown," Perez said. "I feel so incredibly blessed for the opportunity. And to think if it hadn't been for Mrs. Rodriquez, I wouldn't be here."

She had a few obstacles to overcome before arriving in Providence, R.I., home of Brown. Her parents wanted their daughter to stay close to home.

The relationship between Perez and her parents soured, but rebounded before her high school graduation. Her mother, Carmen Llamas, is a waitress at El Torito restaurant, and her stepfather, Filemon Llamas, is a bartender at Plaza Ventana restaurant. Both proudly tell people where their daughter attends school.

Perez has been able to afford an Ivy League education that costs upward of $40,000 a year because of the school's financial assistance, which includes money from endowments, scholarships and loans. "I've always had jobs," she said. "That's part of your financial aid package. They expect you to contribute."

She has a number of loans to pay off once she enters the working world, but says they're "small in comparison to what I've gained."

She vows to do her part to help the next generation of students pursue their college dreams. She plans to contribute to McLane, Brown and Rodriquez's program.

So here are the CliffsNotes on Janete Perez:

Bright teenage girl gets some direction from a passionate counselor.

Girl goes off to Ivy League college and earns a great education with the help of many — financially and otherwise.

She lands a plum internship, which leads to a well-paying job.

This young woman now plans to return the favor and help others achieve their academic goals.

"It was a good investment for my family and myself," Perez said of her education.

And a darn good investment for everyone else.