91重口

Andr茅 Valle: Discovering Purpose Through Projects

---

In Spring 2025, Andr茅 Valle graduated as an Honors Transfer Scholar after attending 91重口 for three years. He has presented his Honors research at a regional level and is currently studying Sociology and Political Science at UC Berkeley.

鈱�鈱� How It All Started

Andr茅鈥檚 journey at Las Positas began in his junior year of high school, when he enrolled in 91重口鈥檚 Middle College Program. At first, he was uncertain of his academic and career trajectory, but he was able to 鈥渄elve into [his] interests and fine-tune [his] goals through the Honors Program.鈥� He admitted that, being sixteen at the beginning of his journey, it originally felt daunting to be in a room full of adults. But through the mentorship of his professors, he gained a greater sense of intellectual belonging and comfort on campus. 

鈥淭he opportunities and resources that Las Positas provided as a student, athlete, and person made staying after graduation an easy decision and ultimately prepared me to transfer to a four-year university.鈥�

As Andr茅 went through the preparation courses for his major, his research projects ignited his passion for the mechanisms of society and its complex inner workings, while enhancing his independence, initiative, and collaborative skills. While he initially felt indecisive, his honors projects had inspired his admiration for sociology and the research process 鈥� two elements he has combined at the University of California, Berkeley.

鈱�鈱� Big Opportunities at the Bay Honors Consortium

鈥淚n the midst of college decisions, scholarship notifications, and internship applications, receiving the news that I had been accepted into the prestigious symposium came as a surprise. This project, and all the honors projects I had completed previously, were driven by my curiosity and sparked a passion that inspired my future academic and career goals.鈥�

Unbeknownst to Andr茅 and his research partner, Brittany Robles-Camacho, they had been pre-selected as one of five finalists out of approximately 400 proposals for the Heslet Award, the grand prize of the symposium. Being recognized among so many brilliant research projects from across the state encouraged Andr茅 to continue pursuing his passion for education and research. 

鈥淸The Bay Honors Consortium] recognized my genuine passion and interest in the research that I conducted, which was rooted in my experience and the experience of other first and second-generation Latine immigrants. Being recognized as a finalist serves as a representation of the passion, perseverance, and motivation that the Honors Program instills in its students.鈥�

鈱�鈱� Andr茅鈥檚 Future Plans and Goals

Currently, Andr茅 is a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, studying Sociology with a concentration in Research Methods and a minor in Education. He has continued to apply the skills and knowledge he gained through the Honors Program, both in his concentration and as a mentee in the Social Science Research Pathways program. 

鈥淚 would advise any new 91重口 Honors student to take advantage of the amazing resources that 91重口 has to offer. 91重口 offers an abundance of financial, personal, and academic support that guides students through navigating higher education. [...] 91重口 has amazing faculty, and I would advise students to take full advantage of their knowledge and experiences. Getting to know the professors can provide invaluable knowledge, insights, and opportunities.鈥�

Being an Honors Transfer Scholar inspired Andr茅 to continue to conduct research in higher education. He hopes to complete his Honors senior thesis next year and, following his time at UC Berkeley, aspires to implement his passion for research and continue his education through grad school.

Published November 1, 2025