001Good evening. My name is Evelyn Sandaval and I am a CASA Academy alum. When people talk about graduation, they often describe it as moving on to the next chapter in life. But tonight, I want to share with you all a different perspective. I am not leaving Kasa Academy behind. I am stepping forward because of it. When I attended CASA, I was always told to climb the mountain to college. For a long time, I didn't fully comprehend what college was. In my mind, it was literally a school on top of a hill. Even then, climbing the mountain to college always stuck with me. And as the years went by, I realized college was everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. Kasa is the place where the mountain started to feel possible. From day one,
002the expectation was clear. College was not just a dream. It was something we were all capable of achieving. Kasa helped break that climb into manageable steps, providing me with the tools, guidance, and confidence I needed. Even when the path felt steep and even when I was no longer a scholar attending CASA, academically, Kasa began preparing me for college long before I realized it. I still remember all of my multiplication table songs and use them in my statistics class. I still remember all of my reading comprehension skills and apply them in my rhetoric class. I was taught how to ask questions, seek help when I needed, think critically about what I was thinking. These were the early lessons and habits that built the confidence I rely on today. And they are the same skills that will
003carry me through college and beyond. There were moments when the path felt steep, when the climb felt hard, and giving up seemed easier. However, when I came back to visit, the teachers were still here, offering encouragement, reminding me of how far I had come. And because of them, I now know that I belong in college spaces and that my voice matters. While Kasa's core values, respect, responsibility, integrity, perseverance, enthusiasm, and empowerment were always present. What mattered the most is how they showed up in the real ways. They showed up in the support I received, the expectations placed on me, and the constant reminder that my goals were worth pursuing. To everyone here tonight, you help shape the dreams of future scholars every day. The belief you show and the encouragement you give can turn a
004mountain that feels impossible into one that feels climbable. Today, I am proud to say that I am a first generation student. And this fall, I will be attending college pursuing a major in international economics with a minor in pre-law. That achievement is a direct result of the guidance I received at CASA and the generosity of donors like you. Kasa has taught me that I am capable, that I can lead, and that my dreams are valid. From CASA to college and from CASA to the world, I am carrying everything this school has given me. the lessons, the encouragement, and the belief that I am capable of achieving great things. And I hope each one of you here tonight remembers that your support helps other scholars climb their own mountains just as you have helped me climb
005mine. From CASA to the world, this is just the beginning. Thank you.