Prospective Chaffey Students Get a Sneak Peek at Open House

Mariano and Santiago Lopez haven’t even started high school yet, but their family already wants them thinking about college.

The 13-year-old twins, who will be freshmen at Etiwanda High School in the fall, came to Chaffey College’s Open House event in Rancho Cucamonga on April 11.

“We’re just thinking about the future,” said their father, Ray Lopez. “I want them to have more opportunities than I did.”

Ray Lopez said that he initially enrolled in the biomedical program at University of California, Riverside when he graduated high school, but ended up leaving to join the workforce in the automotive industry. Now he hopes his sons will finish what he started.

The twins’ younger brother, Valentino, 12, also came along to explore the campus and already has his eye on a major.

“I want to be a game developer, so I feel like this could be the right place for me,” he said.

The event drew hundreds of people to Chaffey’s three campuses for an afternoon of food, fun and information. Faculty, deans and staff shared information about Academic and Career Communities and support services. Visitors played games for a chance at Chaffey swag.

Professor of Math Ted Jenkins displayed a parabolic mirror and a mathematical cone as a representative of the STEM community. The 25-year Chaffey professor also wore a white tie adorned with calculus equations.

“You have to have math skills whether you are in business or any other industry,” he said. “I always like to get students excited about math.”

Friends Kosi Onoh and Kennedi Watson, eighth graders at Wayne Ruble Middle School, came to get information about Chaffey’s dual enrollment program. They will both attend Etiwanda High School in the fall.

Kosi Onoh’s mother, Nnenna Nwagbo, beamed with pride at her daughter’s initiative.

“She has known what she wanted to do since the first grade,” she said. “I’m happy that she knows what it takes.”

Grand Terrace High School senior Vivian Romero came to the campus after hearing about the event on Instagram. She chose Chaffey because it is the closest community college to her that offers radiologic technology.

“I wanted to see the campus, learn how to get around and just see what there is to offer like clubs and other programs,” Vivian Romero said.

Vivian’s mother, Carrie Romero, said that watching her daughter go off to college brings her mixed emotions.

“I’m a little emotional, but I’m grateful that she’s staying close to home,” she said.