Imagine trying to make it through high school without knowing where you’ll be sleeping each night, without access to the internet, and without an easy way to get to campus. That was the reality for Isabelle Tiscareno, who is about to graduate from Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, despite the tremendous roadblocks she had to overcome.
On many days, Isabelle had to travel five miles on a public bus to get to school from her cousin’s house, where she would sleep for a couple of nights before trying to find another place to stay. “I was over in La Colonia, and I still went to Rio Mesa. That’s pretty far away,” she said. School officials considered switching her to nearby Oxnard High School, but didn’t since it was never clear how long she’d be in one location.
Throughout her freshman year, Isabelle moved from place to place – living with her cousin or her grandmother and then in a motel with her mom and brother. The Oxnard Union High School District set her up with transportation so she could get to class. Most of her classmates had no idea what she was dealing with. “It's weird how people actually live completely different lives than what they portray,” she said.
Isabelle credits her close friends, her boyfriend, and Rio Mesa counselor, Sylvia Gomez, with giving her the confidence and motivation to ask for help. Ms. Gomez said was continually impressed by Isabelle’s perseverance. “Even in the most difficult circumstances, she continued to show up, complete her work, and pass her classes,” she said. “Her strength and determination are truly inspiring, and she is a student beating the odds.”
After years of bouncing between accommodations, Isabelle and her family got the wonderful news that they would move into a new apartment. “It was the most exciting news ever,” she exclaimed. “The last time that my family had our own spot was before seventh grade started, before we ended up getting kicked out.” She remembers the first time she saw the bedroom where she now sleeps each night. “I was like, wow, because it was at a time when a lot of sunlight was coming in. It was so pretty.”
Isabelle plans to continue her studies at Ventura College and hopes to work in law enforcement so she can help people in the community on a daily basis. She’s already taken a law enforcement class and is excited to launch her career.
As she prepares to receive her diploma, Isabelle is grateful to those who have helped her on her journey. She knows many other students who are quietly struggling will benefit from the same type of support and compassion she received. “Just handle people with respect because you don’t always know what’s going on at home. Just try to understand.”