I have grown not only as a student through the REEO Rising Stars Program, but also as an individual and a future business woman. I have been inspired by the speakers at the Distinguished Guest Speaker Event, Ann and Harvey, and founder Scott Stimpfel to be more than I have been before and to assertively follow my dreams of success. I will rise above others' expectations of me as Scott Stimpfel did, because I am a Rising Star.

The opportunity to participate in this program has been once in a lifetime. REEO has really opened my eyes to a world I was not properly exposed to. The tools and lessons I have acquired through this esteemed program have taught me everything I could not learn in a classroom and I am so incredibly grateful that I was chosen to be a part of it. I have found usefulness in even the smallest of tips from our REEO staff and mentors. In our opening meeting, Mr. Scott Stimpfel introduced the concept of the “T-Zone.” He explained that something so simple as sitting in the front row or down the middle column makes you stand out from the rest of your classmates. Now, in every one of my classes I sit front and center and to know surprise, I have received great results.

In our highly competitive journey to transfer to a 4-year university, we all seek an edge over fellow applicants. REEO is more than just an extra curricular activity to put on an application. REEO is the gift that keeps on giving, with continuous opportunities to offer. Never have I witnessed a program that teaches students so many important life lessons. From resume writing, to interviewing skills, to networking, REEO has truly acted as catalyst to my overall development as a student and as a future businesswoman. This program gives us the tools we need to face the world and the confidence we need to conquer it.

I moved on to Pasadena City College, and fortunately I got selected into the REEO Rising Stars Program. Being in a community college, I did not have access to opportunities relating to my major. Company recruiters would rarely come onto PCC campus and conduct interviews with the students. Not that I am unconfident in myself, but that is the reality. Thanks to REEO, they helped bring big corporations into community colleges and gave me a chance to talk to the corporations directly and brought me much closer towards my goals.

REEO Rising Stars experience made me realized my strengths and weaknesses. REEO also prepared me not only educationally for the university I will transfer to, but also professionally for the career I will take on in the near future. I am a first generation immigrant; when we first came here, my family does not speak a word of English. Therefore they could not help me at all on my university application process, on how to write my resume, or how to prepare for an interview. So to me, REEO is like another family that supports me educationally and professionally. The mentors from USC provided me the help that I could not have received from any of my family members nor friends. The board members of REEO taught me valuable life lessons that I could never learn from any classroom.

I always believed that chances are for those who come prepared. I didn’t consider myself ready for the professional world. However, after all that REEO have taught me, I know that I am ready now, because they have prepared me well.

The greatest part about REEO is that it brings students from different cultures together to form a family of their own. I now have friends that I can call late at night if I have a doubt regarding my resume, internship, or college. I learned how to shake hands, proper conversation topics, and the importance of having a business card. I have gained so much from REEO that words can’t fully express my gratitude.

If I had to rank the Rising Stars Program compared to other programs offered at a community college, it would be placed number one on the list. This program has assured that every Community College student, regardless of social status, financial status…has the right to transfer to a Four-Year University and earn a baccalaureate degree.

All in all, this simply wonderful program has been one of the most, or the most, beneficial undertaking for me at college. You can never tell the future, but this program may have very well changed the course of my entire life. I am very thankful.

Thank you so much though for accepting me last fall. REEO has helped me in so many ways. Because of REEO's attention to detail and support, I was able to create a great résumé, sharpen my professional skills, and strengthen my interviewing skills. Through all these, I was accepted to the Armenian National Committee (one of the largest and beneficial Armenian organizations in the nation) as a summer Intern. Thus far it has been a great and fulfilling experience. I solely thank REEO for helping me obtain this position.

Thank you so much for all your help and guidance throughout the year. REEO has honestly changed my life in so many ways. Prior to joining the organization, I was extremely shy and did not realize the importance of reaching out and taking initiative. Since joining REEO I have built close relationships with many of my professors, who have helped and guided me with both academic and nonacademic issues. One of my professors recently offered to introduce me to her friend and doctor, who works at UCLA, to discuss their medical school. I honestly cannot thank you enough for everything REEO has done for me.

Firstly, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your advice you've given me through REEO. Kobe Bryant's publicist, Catherine Sebring, stressed today how little things like business cards mattered when you want to get to the next level. Surprisingly, I was the only one in the room out of 15-20 people that had a business card and I was so happy that I was able to give it to her while other students were jotting their information down on a piece of notebook paper. She told me that she was so impressed that I had one and to definitely keep in touch with her. It's situations like these when you know you're headed in the right direction. It truly felt so great to impress someone of her caliber, a top individual in the industry who has so many connections! I'm going to send her a thank you e-mail right after I send this one to you.

Thanks again Scott. Your hard-work and advice are appreciated and put me on such a different level in the eyes of professionals. Talk to you soon!

Finding your way in a community college is not as easy as it looks. It takes hard work and dedication. However, from my experience I have learned that there is always someone you can turn to for guidance. Whether it is a professor, a counselor, or a program, they are all there to help.

REEO which is a program that was recommended to me by my school’s counselor provided me with the knowledge that I needed in order to compete at a professional level. Its founder Scott Stimpfel truly cares about helping out students who are going through the same process I went through. Furthermore, REEO equips the students with all the necessary tools to become successful. Whether it is having a professional resume, networking, mock interviews, and internships, REEO can provide students with all of these things plus more. For me, the program has allowed me to view things differently. Before I started the program, I had no idea about any of these things and never really cared about looking or playing the part of a professional. The program has taught me the value of networking. With Scott’s guidance I have been able to build my network that just keeps growing.

REEO is a program that I would recommend to anyone. Not only do you get the knowledge from people you care, but you are also learning from professionals who went through everything we are going through right now. I am very thankful to REEO and I will promote the program because I know everyone can benefit from it.