First-generation grad to attend San Francisco State College – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Santa Cruz High School recent graduate and Senderos dancer Nadia Gomez Cruz performs traditional folklorico dance for Santa Cruz Dance Week. (Image credit: Nadia Gomez Cruz)

SANTA CRUZ – Whether she’s flaunting the advanced proficiency test, pulling off a cheerleading routine, performing traditional folklorico dancing, or speaking at her graduation, first-generation Santa Cruz High School graduate Nadia Gomez Cruz, draws inspiration from her parents’ sacrifices and drives She moved from Oaxaca, Mexico when she was a baby.

“I would definitely say that they are very proud,” said Gomez Cruz. “As an only child and because they couldn’t complete their studies, I’m not only graduating for myself, but also for my parents. They have always been by my side and when I walk across the stage I feel like they are graduating with me.”

Starting as a freshman at Santa Cruz High School at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging for Gomez Cruz and her classmates, but she found solace in their troubles by performing traditional Oaxacan dance, which she has loved since her Childhood practiced the local non-profit Senderos.

“It’s my way of doing things,” Gomez Cruz said. “When I was little, my mom wanted me to connect to my roots and kind of forced me to start dancing. I started it when I was about 6 years old and at first I cried when she dropped me off, but eventually I loved it.”

Nadia Gomez Cruz and her mother pose together after a Senderos dance performance. (Image credit: Nadia Gomez Cruz)

Performing folk dances not only allows Gomez Cruz to dance through difficult times, but also to understand the culture her parents grew up in without having to travel to Mexico. Through Senderos, she has performed at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Pacific Avenue for Santa Cruz Dance Week, the Guelaguetza Celebrations in San Jose and Sacramento, and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. After committing to attending San Francisco State University, she hopes to find a similar folkloric dance group in the big city.

“I really don’t want to leave that part of me here,” Gomez Cruz said. “I would like to be able to continue doing this after I graduate from high school.”

Gomez Cruz’s love of music and movement extends beyond traditional Mexican dance. She has been part of Santa Cruz High School’s cheer group throughout her years of presence and is an avid fan of South Korean music called K-Pop and the group BTS in particular. Like her dance practice, K-pop helped Gomez Cruz through stressful times.

“Their music just made me feel very safe and relatable to them,” said Gomez Cruz. “I didn’t know how to deal with the pandemic and they really helped me to move on. They have been a big part of my life and helped me through a difficult period.”

Gomez Cruz is not only passionate about dancing, but also about math. After passing with flying colors all the AP math courses she took in high school, she plans to enter finance at San Francisco State University in the fall. She said that her advanced math skills were due in large part to the wonderful teachers she had at Santa Cruz High, such as “Mr. K,” who always had a backup computer when Gomez Cruz forgot hers, and also taught her an important lesson, which is that it’s okay to ask for help.

“Even though math is really difficult at times, especially this year, connecting with my teachers has really helped me,” said Gomez Cruz. “There were times when I stayed after class and my teacher was happy to walk me through problems step-by-step. I’ve always had the freedom to ask any questions I had.”

With college just around the corner, Gomez Cruz is sad about leaving the close friends she made in high school, but also excited about her life in the big city. However, because she was born outside of the United States, she faces financial challenges as she is unable to apply for government financial aid.

Nadia Gomez Cruz, a graduate of Santa Cruz High School, plans to study finance at San Francisco State University in the fall. (Image credit: Nadia Gomez Cruz)

“College is very, very expensive,” Gomez Cruz said. “Unfortunately, since I don’t have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), one of my biggest challenges will be finding a job while I’m away. My parents will help me but I have to figure things out on my own and that’s very scary as my choices and options are limited since I’m not a US citizen. This is one of the greatest challenges I have to face and that I have ever experienced.”

Despite the obstacles and challenges that lie ahead, Gomez Cruz is determined to succeed and most importantly, to make her parents proud.

“Of course I will experience ups and downs during my studies, but I hope that my studies will go through the ups and downs,” said Gomez Cruz. “Even if I’m feeling down or broken in some way, I want that confidence and strength to pick myself up, move on, and keep striving for my dreams.”