. >> reporter: pedro lopez is one of the students.>> they weren't necessarily aware of my vocabulary because there was a lack of money. truck with the help of students rising above, and the donors, he will be a freshman at uc merced in the fall. suck i probably wanted to get into cybersecurity, digital architecture. >> thanks to you i'm able to say that i the first in my family to graduate from college. truck jessica castro wants a students rising above scholar, is paying it forward. she is employed with sra as the salesforce administrator and data specialist. she said she would not be here without the people in this room. black very early you get to meet the donors that make things happen. being here in an event where we get to meet and mingle with a lot of people who truly support college access is really empowering. >> reporter: it is not just the scholars who are honored to be here. the donors say it is tkeep them a >> it gives you goosebumps to hear the student stories and struggles and how they can stay connected and focused on what their goal is and to college. that was someth