As a child, Abraham Heredia grew up in Somerton, a small community located in a rural area southwest of Yuma near the Mexico border. His grandparents urged Abraham’s parents to go to college because they understood first-hand the struggles of lacking a college degree. “(My grandparent’s) goal was to ensure my parents had a better life and instilled in them the meaning of hard work, dedication and a college education,” Heredia said.

The college journey was not easy, but his parent’s hard work and some help from scholarships paid off. They became first-generation college graduates.

“They both received their undergraduate degrees from Arizona State University, and I am proud of them,” Heredia said. “They have always been thankful for the assistance they received during their financial hardships as students and believe in giving back to those in need. They have instilled the same values and work ethic in me.”

Heredia, a first-year student, received the ASU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and plans to get a Master’s in Counseling. “I want to give people hope by making a positive difference in their lives,” he said. “I believe Arizona State University will equip me with the combined degrees that will enhance my education in mental health.”

“I will become knowledgeable regarding best practices that will improve patient outcomes through counseling as well as behavioral modification techniques. Arizona State University is crucial in helping me achieve these goals,” Abraham added.

Many ASU students work to fund their education and it can be overwhelming to balance a work and school schedule.  

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ASU Business major Maddox Berkson and his younger brother Briggs, a first-year Business Finance major, have been surrounded by Maroon and Gold since they were young - even though they live in Southern California. “There was always one rule and it was never to wear blue and red,” said Maddox, a third-year student on the Tempe campus. “I was always taught that this great university was going to be able to give me the tools to be a future leader in the world.”

The early Sun Devil lessons were from Berkson’s parents David (‘92) and Jennifer (‘95), both ASU alumni. With help from the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, the brothers are studying at the W. P. Carey School of Business. “ASU might be large in size but it doesn’t seem that big to me,” said Briggs. “ASU feels like more opportunities to excel, more people to interact with and more to learn.”

Both brothers noticed something special about ASU. “Watching my parents still have a great relationship with the school they attended 20 years ago really opened my eyes,” Maddox said.       

For Briggs, ASU is more than just innovative. ASU is family.

“I am always surprised at how many people my parents will run into when we are at an ASU event or on campus. There is such a fondness for each other. ASU gave my parents so many friends from across the United States and from so many backgrounds.They are funny, kind, smart, talented and successful and they are all Sun Devils,” he said. “They love and support me like their own children, and I wouldn’t have them in my life had it not been for my parents and family members attending ASU.”

The family’s Sun Devil path continues with the youngest Berkson. “It is now my turn to walk down Palm Walk,” said Briggs. “I can’t wait to start the next chapter of my life as a Sun Devil and carry on the family legacy of being an Arizona State University Sun Devil.”

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ASU Architectural Studies major Vivian Pelayo appreciates the hard work and sacrifices her mother made to pursue the American dream. Her mother, Veronica, grew up in Mexico and picked grapes and potatoes under the harsh Arizona sun at the age of 12. It was the only way her family could make ends meet.

After community college, Vivian’s mother attended, then graduated from Mary Lou Fulton’s Teacher College at ASU. She received her Master’s in Education with a concentration in bilingual studies and became an English Language Learners (ELL) teacher.

“Attending Arizona State University changed my mom’s life completely and her experience paved the way for me to create my own way at ASU,” said daughter Vivian, a third-year student on the Tempe campus.

“Her hard work and determination served as an inspiration to me and I knew from a young age that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. As I grew older, we frequently received the ASU Alumni magazines which exposed me to ASU’s mission, academic resources and the strong alumni community,” Vivian added.

The Queen Creek High School graduate’s passion for architecture started years ago.

“When I was young, I was always in love with designing buildings and designing them with paper or cardboard,” Vivian said. “My mother always fueled my passion for architecture by buying me books, STEM-guided toys, or taking me to explore new places.”

With help from an ASU Alumni Legacy Scholarship, Vivian has thrived as a Sun Devil maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA and working two internships - one with Sketch Architecture in Mesa and the other a full-time internship at Gannett Fleming, an architecture, engineering and consulting firm in Phoenix. In addition, Vivian participates in the Leadership Scholarship Program, which helps students develop leadership skills while at ASU.

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