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Student Stories

Djajiijo Bola

Djajiijo Bola

Homeless at age 10, Djajiijo (DJ) Bola is now a college graduate and on track to success.

DJ recently graduated from the University of California Berkeley in Conservation Resource Studies. His next steps involve an internship with the Mitchell Kapor Foundation and time in Mexico to improve his Spanish. He wants to attend UCSC's Master's program in Community Studies with an emphasis on social documentation. "I plan to make documentaries," said DJ. "Ultimately, I want to get a PhD from USC in critical film studies."

DJ went to college after attending 10,000 Degrees' 10KD Institute, which has a 97% success rate of helping students get to college.

"When I came out of high school, my math and English comprehension levels were at a 6th grade level. I wasn't prepared."

"Mostly it had to do with attitude. Before, I just wanted to do the bare minimum, and I wasn't really learning. I feel really proud of where I am today. I've worked really hard to get up to college level," he said.

DJ's experience at Marin Education Fund's 10KD Institute has been so positive that he has returned for several years to help other students. As an undergrad he was also a student leader for a literacy enrichment program sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund to help kids 6 – 11 yrs embrace reading. It was during this program that he discovered his love of filmmaking and desire to give back.

"(10,000 Degrees') has been behind me every step of the way telling me 'I can do it.' I tell other students 'You don't have to be here. This is an opportunity and a privilege. Make the most of it. What you do here can change what you do with the rest of your life.'"

Other 10,000 Degrees Success Stories

Dan Macias

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Avalon Baldwin

"Without 10,000 Degrees, I would have been doing the college process entirely alone." Read Avalon's story »

David Lopez

"My parents are happy for me. They say, 'You're putting yourself through college.'" Read David's story »

Ramona Polk

Growing up in Marin City, Ramona's role model was her brother Rondell, another 10,000 Degrees student and the first in her family to go to college. Read Ramona's story »

Ana Escobar

Six years ago Ana Escobar was a junior at San Rafael High School who wasn’t sure where she was headed. Today, she’s a college graduate. Read her story »

Perla Solares

From the time she was young girl, Perla Solares wanted to be a Nurse, but with a young family and developmentally disabled son that dream seemed financially impossible. Read her story »

Paul Tran

Paul Tran of San Rafael immigrated to the United States from Saigon with his family when he was eight years old. With a family of four living on limited financial resources, Paul didn’t see how his family could afford to send him to college. Read his story »

Fact: $3,400 was 10,000 Degrees’ average scholarship award this year.