Once A Jackrabbit,
Always A Jackrabbit
Our CIC graduates have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at highly-regarded institutions across the nation. We are proud of all they have accomplished, and what they continue to accomplish. Here are just a handful of snapshots of our CIC alumni, but similar stories of success and achievement are shared by so many of our graduates!
Tomiye Oshita is a 2013 graduate of CIC. In 2016, Tomi graduated from UCLA earned a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Theatre (a year early due to completing so many APs as a CIC student), then going on to earn a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She is currently working as an attorney at a law firm in Orange County.
Myles Johnson is a CIC grad from 2017, who went on to earn a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University and is currently working towards an Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering (Embedded Systems and Integrated Circuits emphasis) at UCLA. He is also currently an intern at IBM.
“CIC helped me build good study habits, prepared me for rigorous academic courses, and helped me learn how to balance academics with sports.”
Claire McCleod is a CIC alum from the Class of 2013. She went on to UC Davis to earn a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning, as well as a minor in Chicano/a Studies. After her undergraduate studies, she went on to earn a J.D. from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She is currently working both as a Research Assistant for Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and a Legal Intern at Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic.
“My favorite thing about CIC was having Instructors that cared about preparing me for college and meeting life long friends.”
Robert Mantz is an alum of the CIC Class 2016. After graduating from Poly, Robert earned a B.A. in Professional Music (Performance and Music Production concentration) from Berklee School of Music with a minor in Music, Technology, and Innovation. He currently is working as a Broadcast Technician for Cramer in Norwood, Massachusetts.
“My favorite aspect of being in CIC was having so many people from different backgrounds and cultures. All the teachers were also amazing.”
Veronica Martínez Peralta, CIC Class of 2016, graduated from CSULB with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She currently works as a community health care worker at Cedars Sinai Medical Center
“CIC is magnet program that has helped me get where I am today. I can vouch that if it weren’t for CIC, I don’t know if I would have even gone to college. It makes me so proud to say I am a first generation graduate!”
Juan Rosas, CIC class of 2012, went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree at UCLA in Portuguese in 2016 and then his Master of Arts in 2021 in Linguistics at CSULB. He now works as the language access coordinator for the City of Long Beach.
“The best part of CIC was getting to be a part of a diverse cohort and a program that was academically rigorous while still allowing for time for me to pursue extracurricular activities. CIC provided me with a strong foundation in writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills that I was able to leverage as a student of Portuguese and Linguistics at UCLA. Today, nearly a decade after graduating from Poly, I continue applying these skills in my role as a language access coordinator with the city of Long Beach.”
Graciela Sprout, CIC class of 2009, earned a B.A. in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona, and a M.M. in Harp Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB. She is the lead soprano of the San Andreas Sisters, and is regularly hired for professional harp gigs in the greater Los Angeles area. Gracie is also the harpist for the Grammy-nominated artist Jhené Aiko.
Harlee Balajadia, CIC Class of 2014, holds a B.A. in Vocal Jazz Performance and Music Education from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB. He is now the Choral/Vocal Music Teacher at Hughes Middle School in the Long Beach Unified School District.
Jade Simmons Davis, CIC Class of 2011, graduated from USC in 2015 with a B.A. in Accounting and earned an M.A in Accounting in 2016 (also from USC). She is currently working at Ernst & Young as an Enterprise Risk Consultant.
“CIC offered a great balance of AP and honors classes that truly prepared me for college while also allowing me the flexibility in my schedule to be on the cheer team sophomore through senior year.”
A native of Compton, Oseghale Ituah is a CIC graduate from the Class of 2012. Ose went on to earn a B.S. in Biology, as well as a Certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Ose also holds an MHA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ose currently works as a Data Analyst for the Director of Surgery at Advocate South Suburban Hospital.
“CIC prepared me for college by providing a strong academic foundation, the academic rigor of the program ensured that I had an easier transition into my college level coursework.”
Tiffany O’Dwyer is a graduate of the CIC Class of 2012. She holds three degrees from the UC Berkeley; in 2016 she earned a B.A. in Public Health and a B.S. in Society and Environment, then an M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) in Epidemiology in 2019. She is currently working for the UC Berkeley School of Public Health as an MPH Student Consultant
“My favorite thing about CIC is its ability to both challenge its students while simultaneously promoting extracurricular involvement. Practicing this type of time management served as a vital skill for success in college.”
Jane Jacinto graduated from Poly CIC in 2012, then continuing her education at CSULB, earning a B.S. in Accounting. She now works as the Accounts Payable Supervisor for The Reyes Beer Division.
“Teachers were great and were understanding of students in their program and encouraged them to their success. Cohorts who had the same classes made experiences relatable. Also the accessibility and easy scheduling of electives and AP/honors classes.”
Earvin Tucay is a 2012 graduate of CIC, who then earned a B.A. in Design and Visual Communications from CSULB. He currently works as a Graphic Designer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
“My favorite thing about the CIC program was the amount of resources given to us as students to help us learn and the dedication our teachers had to make sure we understand what was taught. There were teachers who set time after-school hours for reviews and what not where they would cover extra material for those who wanted to learn more and needed it which made me truly appreciate the program as a whole.”
Adrianna Cantanzarite graduated from CIC in 2011. She continued her education at Cal Poly SLO, culminating in a B.S. in Journalism in 2015. Adrianna is currently a Freelance Writer, having previously worked for Random Length News, New Times, and Mustang Daily. She is also an active actor and singer in the Southern California area.
“The best thing I liked about CIC was that I learned how to balance school work with my extracurriculars, which is exactly what people need to learn before they go to college. I was able to feel challenged in school without it taking over my entire life”