Tomas Mariscal

Associate in Arts

Student Tomas Mariscal has a jump-start on his college education while in still in high school, thanks to the support of YVC’s Upward Bound and Running Start Programs. Upward Bound, part of a US Department of Education program, helps prepare low-income, first-generation students for college. Running Start provides students like Tomas the opportunity to complete college-level credits without the cost of tuition. Juniors and seniors can continue to attend high school while also taking courses at YVC.

Tomas Mariscal grew up in Granger, Washington. During his freshman year he began participating in YVC’s Upward Bound Program. The program helped him prepare for college life as a 6-week summer program allowed him to live in the dorms and get a sense of what college would be like. Wanting to continue his studies, he decided to enroll in YVC’s Running Start Program during his junior year in high school.

“I really like the rigor of classes at YVC,” stated Mariscal. “I always excelled at classes at high school. The Running Start Program has allowed me to delve deeper into mathematics. Without this program I would have completed the highest-level offered at my high school during my junior year. I also like the sense of community on campus and the diversity. My experience has been very interesting and has shown me what to expect later in life,” he continued.

Tomas has also had the opportunity to participate in campus life. He is a member of the MEChA Club, Transfer Club, STEM Club, and he participates in the Diversity Series Committee. He has also helped support the Upward Bound Program through various fundraisers. Active in the community, Mariscal is a member of the Yakima Valley League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council. LULAC works to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.
He will graduate in June with his high school diploma and will graduate in August with his associate in arts degree. He plans to transfer to the University of Washington (UW). Following UW, he hopes to attend Cambridge University and work towards a PhD in Astronomy.