My name is Angelica S. Gutierrez, Ph.D. and I am a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, class of 95.
I arrived at Sacred Heart as a freshman with a clearly defined goal: graduate and get a job. As a kid who had been miscategorized in the 2nd grade as having a learning disability, simply because I did not speak English, I was convinced that I lacked the capacity to do well in school. I knew graduating from high school would be a struggle, however, I did not anticipate all of the support I would receive at Sacred Heart. I had no idea that my life, and by extension, my family’s life, would be changed forever.
The term “game-changer” is often used to describe a person, event, or experience that changes a person, or an entire community’s trajectory. That’s exactly what Sacred Heart has been in my life. From the beginning, it was clear that the teachers did not perceive me as a student with a limited learning capacity; they saw more! They challenged me and pushed me to achieve more. My comet sisters also empowered me to set my dreams high. How high? High enough to sit behind the desk in the Oval Office. At the time, only God knew what was in store for me, but Sacred Heart prepared me for my life journey.
My journey kicked off my senior year as I ran for student government. I remember looking out at a sea of comets as I stood on stage to deliver my speech and to declare my candidacy for student body president. I began by proposing my grandiose plans and ended with an appeal: “Vote for me for student body president and also, President of the United States because I intend to run someday.” The seemingly ludicrous appeal may have garnered laughter at any other high school, but not at Sacred Heart. The auditorium erupted into cheers, applause, and a standing ovation.
I still get teary-eyed when I talk or write about the reception I received from my community at Sacred Heart. In fact, I have shared that day with reporters from Vista L.A., ABC 7, Univision, and the L.A. Times. On that day I discovered: Sacred Heart believes I can go far. Game-changer!
While I have not (yet) run for President, Sacred Heart empowered me to do more than I ever imagined.
Since high school, I have graduated from UCLA with honors, and with a merit scholarship, I earned a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Michigan. With a full-ride scholarship, I earned a Ph.D. from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, where I became the first domestic-born Latina to graduate from that program. As part of the small percent of Latino(a) business school professors in the nation, I now help teach and mentor the next generation of business leaders at LMU. I also serve as a contributor for Inc., one of the top business magazines, and I write about topics that help transform the workplace.
When asked, “How did you get here?” My response is always simple, “God, my mom and brother, and Sacred Heart”. In that order.
As my life and the lives of many Sacred Heart alumnae demonstrate, the generosity of donors like you makes a difference. You’re not just donating; you’re changing the game.
Join me in being a game-changer at Sacred Heart by making a contribution to the Comet Scholarship Fund this Christmas!