Victoria Hernandez Valladares and her husband once dreamed of building their first 
home together in Mexico, a vision that slowly slipped out of reach. 
Hopeful for a better future, Hernandez Valladares immigrated to the United States in 
1985, drawn by the promise of new opportunities. Over the next four decades, her 
family grew and flourished. She raised three daughters, nurturing in them the bilingual 
roots and educational aspirations she believed would help them achieve the American 
dream.

Yet, Hernandez Valladares knew it was her time to pursue the American 
dream—becoming a U.S. citizen.  

Enrolling in a Citizenship Course 
The first time Hernandez Valladares set sights on the bolded sign of Santa Ana 
College’s School of Continuing Education, she had to enroll. In 2019, she earned her 
GED.  

“Returning to school has become my second home because they help me with my 
second language,” she said. “I never gave up.”  
She enrolled in Sambath Phann’s citizenship course to prepare her for the naturalization 
interview.  

“He’s a great teacher because he doesn’t teach you only the civic words, he teaches 
you English and the country’s history,” she said.  
The class explored the monumental significance of the Fourth of July, dissected the 
values inscribed into the Declaration of Independence and broke down complex United 
States history timelines.  

Making History for Herself 
When Hernandez Valladares entered the United States Citizenship and Immigration 
Services office in Santa Ana, she felt confident. 
Once she sat down in front of an officer she was asked where she learned her English.  
“I was proud to say I learned at Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education,” 
she said.  

After the 25 minute interview, she was told she passed and the officer spoke fluently in 
English with her as they snapped her photo beside a banner that read “Today I am an 
American.”  

“I had the privilege to make history for myself,” she said ecstatically. 
Now, Hernandez Valladares aspires to enroll at Santa Ana College’s main campus 
where she desires to delve more into learning U.S. history and hopes to pursue a career 
in community service for immigrants who struggle with language barriers.  
“Never give up. Even when we struggle with our accent, we eventually push through,” 
she said.