The first in her family to go to college, Leslye Alvarez Valencia works hard in school to make her parents proud.

Born in Colima, Mexico, Leslye came to the United States at age 4 with her parents. Her mother only attended school through the eighth grade and her father stopped going after third.

Having graduated in June as valedictorian of Dinuba High School, Leslye was grateful to receive a scholarship from Fresno State. She is one of 50 high-achieving high school graduates in this year’s 20th class of President’s Honors Scholars in the Smittcamp Family Honors College.

The honors college is unique in the California State University system. Scholars are admitted as a cohort and take a series of specially designed honors courses. They participate in weekly seminars with guest speakers and in educational, scholarly and social activities. Each student receives a scholarship for his or her undergraduate degree program, up to a maximum of eight semesters. The scholarship covers in-state tuition and an optional credit for University housing.

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