Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes open October financial aid season with amazing guests! Priscilla interviews Jon Waldrep from the California Student Aid Commission Training and Outreach Programs. Other special guests include: John King (former Education Secretary for Barack Obama and CEO at the Education Trust), Jose Valdivia (UC San Diego), Conner Chappel (UCLA), and 99.1 KGGI Radio! Shout outs to: Perris Union High School District, Cherrie Cunningham (RCOE Secretary to the Director of College and Career), Orange Vista High School (Val Verde Unified School District), Rancho Verde High School (VUSD), The Education Trust-West, the California Student Aid Commission, the California Department of Education, and the Riverside County of Education.

"Race to Submit" Song: Artist, Producer and Verses by: BuddIE (2019);
Production: Versus

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson (2015)

Audio Edits by: Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes interview Stephanie Sprow Owens (Director of Programming for Reach Higher at the Common App) and Merone Hailemeskel (Director of Communications for Reach Higher at the Common App). Priscilla and Dan share their Beating the Odds story. Stephanie and Merone talk about Michelle Obama's Beating the Odds Summit and they share great tips for educators who want to lead a Beating the Odds Summit.

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by Dan Reyes

Song: "Race to Submit" Artist, Producer and Verses by: BuddIE (2019);
Production: Versus

Song Lyrics:

It’s the race to submit, c’mon you gotta reach higher.
Hop behind the wheel cuz now you are the driver.
It’s the race to submit, c’mon you gotta reach higher.
Don’t let nothing stop you now cuz you the decider.
F-A-F-S-A.
Sooner you submit.
Sooner you get paid.
First come first serve.
Submit today.
Don’t be late.
Don’t be lazy.
No to free money?
What are you crazy?
Did you forget that college ain’t free?
Don’t like school? Got the military.
Got 4 branches to choose from...
Got the Navy..
Got the Army..
Got the Air Force..
And the Coast Guard too..
Almost left out the Marines so Oorah to all you!
Pick your destiny.
Whatever chosen.
Just check when the apps are due.
Best you can do is that.
Worst you can do is lag.
It’s the race to submit, c’mon you gotta reach higher.
Hop behind the wheel cuz now you are the driver.
It’s the race to submit, c’mon you gotta reach higher.
Don’t let nothing stop you now cuz you the decider.

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes interview Andrew Amore, Director of Educator Engagement from When We All Vote.

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by: Dan Reyes

Priscilla and Dan interview former NVHS students who met Michelle Obama and former NVHS Reach Higher Commissioner of Club. We recap the I Am Becoming Tour and UCLA College Signing Day as well as when the Reach Higher Initiative was introduced in 2014. Special Guests: Mark Corona (U.S. Marine Corps), Raquel Guerrero (Riverside City College student), and Yesenia Apreza (UCLA student). We have a special recording from Julie Hill (2012-2018 ASCA Board of Directors, ISCA Board of Directors and school counselor at Western Boone Junior-Senior High School). ASCA 2014 quote from Nancy Mahoney (Los Cerros Middle School). We also have FAFSA interviews from the Class of 2019 and audio from the NVHS graduation!
"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by: Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes recap College Signing Day at UCLA with Michelle Obama! KGGI 99.1 Radio interviews Norte Vista H.S. and two students from Riverside get to be on stage with Michelle Obama! Priscilla interviews Quinton Clay (Director of Admissions at Northern Illinois University) and Beth Arey (College & Career Coordinator at Evanston Township High School).
"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by: Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes share some very exciting Reach Higher news! Priscilla interviews some members of the Santiago High School Counseling Team in Corona Norco Unified School District featuring Catherine Wallace, Johnny Campos, Christine Berg, Nathan Theune, Maritza Partida, Randy Thomas, Kristen Matsumoto, and Valencia Applegate.

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson.

Audio Edits by Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes interview Julie Zierold (Director of Curriculum & Instruction) and Melina Gonzalez (Heritage High School Counselor) from Perris Union High School District. They discuss how Kick Off to College got started and went countywide as well as all the amazing things they do in their district!

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes recap the week. Priscilla interviews Ngozi Olojede (Scholly Scholarship Marketing Manager) and Josh Godinez (2019 California School Counselor of the Year).

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson

Audio Edits by Dan Reyes

Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes interview Dr. Kedziora (Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District), Kristen Hunter (MVUSD Director of College and Career Ready), and Esperanza Arce (MVUSD Director of Secondary Education). They share about Moreno Valley Unified School Districts College and Career Program. They also talk about CCGI and how they implemented it district-wide. Ngozi Olojede (Scholly Marketing Manager) shares about the Scholly Loan Contest.

"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson.

Audio Edits by Dan Reyes