Meet Dalila Lawrence (she/her), Jordan High School alum and first-year at California State University, Long Beach. We connected to discuss her college-going experience. Read more below.

In 2024, Jordan High School celebrated a significant milestone: a remarkable 24 percentage point increase in the number of Black students accepted to four-year colleges compared to the previous year. This growth represents 20 of the 32 Black students in the graduating class. Additionally, 15 of these students planned to attend a four-year college, a 17 percentage point increase.

One student who exemplifies this transformative success is Dalila Lawrence, a Jordan High alum who now attends California State University, Long Beach, as a first-generation college student and Watkins Fellow. Lawrence’s journey to college was not easy. She navigated a host of challenges while balancing sports, school, and college applications. 

Lawrence spent two intensive months working on her college and financial aid applications—often missing class and sacrificing time with her friends and team. She worked closely with Reinaldo De Jesus, a counselor at Jordan’s college center. Lawrence shared that De Jesus’ guidance was crucial in navigating the application processes. “It was hard because the college center was so small, and there were so many of us applying, but the counselors made time for us. My teachers also helped me get my grades up and improve my attendance.”

Her hard work paid off. Lawrence was accepted into all four California state universities she applied to, including Dominguez Hills, Pomona, Long Beach, and San Francisco. Now, living in the dorms at Cal State Long Beach, Lawrence reflects on the major changes college life has brought. “It’s a big change from where I grew up around Jordan,” she said. “Life here is calmer. People talk differently, and they find different things fun. It’s a huge shift, but I’ve learned to adapt.”

Her advice for current Jordan students: “College might seem far-fetched, but you can do it. Even if you don’t get into your dream school, don’t throw everything away. College is college – whether a two-year, four-year, or trade school. If you can push yourself to finish high school, you can push yourself to finish college.”

Lawrence is working toward her English education degree, aspiring to become a high school teacher, and eventually pursue her doctorate. Her journey is an inspiration not only to her younger siblings—her sister is a senior at Jordan and her brother is in 7th grade at Markham Middle School—but to the entire school community. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of support systems, and the incredible potential that lies within every student at Jordan High School.