Thanks to the Central Valley Project at UCLA, Granite Hills junior Valeria Saucedo has found a meaningful way to give back to her community.
Saucedo, who joined the organization in October 2025, is holding a fundraiser where she is asking for donations to help shelter dogs at the Porterville Pvac Shelter. She is asking students to donate dog food, blankets, toys, and beds, as long as they are new and sealed.
Students can drop off donations the entire month of February in room 603 (Mr. Marquez’s room) and the main office.
“What it does is it provides further help for the shelter by allowing them to spend more money for medicine rather than on simple necessities,” Saucedo said.
The Central Valley Project is an organization run by UCLA students that helps high school students better understand college life. Although it is not officially part of a school, it provides guidance and support to students who want to learn more about their future after high school.
The organization hosts workshops where students learn about college life, applications, scholarships, and important life skills. UCLA students serve as mentors and work closely with high school students by answering questions and sharing their own college experiences. The Central Valley Project also offers events such as college campus visits and special days where students can see what a typical college day is like.
High school students can join the organization by signing up as mentees through the Central Valley Project Website. Once signed up, students can attend meetings and workshops held on select weekends. The program is open to students who want to learn more about college and prepare for life after high school.
Saucedo said she wanted to engage more with her community and help others, which inspired her to join.
“I love my organization because it helps me give back to my town and community,” Saucedo said. “It also helps me get out more and learn who I want to be for myself and others.”
Saucedo is a junior at Granite Hills and a member of the AVID program. She is also involved in the Cancer Awareness Club.
For fun, Valeria likes hanging out with her friends and listening to music. In the future, she wants to finish college, study abroad, and is interested in a career in nursing or becoming a history professor.
“This organization helps me reach my goals by teaching me how to be more helpful and speak up for what’s right,” Saucedo said. “It shows me that it’s okay to use my voice and take action to help others and my community.”
