After Kevin Orozco failed every class except one in his junior year at Alisal High School, he couldn’t envision graduating high school. Then, he heard about Rancho Cielo.
“I knew I wanted to go [to Rancho Cielo],” Orozco, who was initially attracted by the Auto & Diesel Repair program, says.
When the 19-year-old started his senior year at the 100-acre campus, he discovered something much more than he imagined: A sanctuary equipped to assist—Orozco has learning differences—with his academics on a personalized level that he had never had previously.
“I was not getting the support I needed [at Alisal],” Orozco says. “And I felt somewhat afraid to ask for help. At Rancho Cielo, multiple people were checking in on me at once. There are so many people here giving you really good support. Whenever
you need them, they’ll help you.”
The Salinas native says it felt good to graduate from high school and it feels better to know he still has a support system despite no longer being a Rancho Cielo student.
“All of the teachers reassured me that I can come back [to Rancho] whenever I need,” Orozco says.
Orozco is taking mechanics and business classes at Hartnell College. He’s also working at a Salinas autobody shop. He comes by Rancho Cielo frequently to talk to his mentor, Auto & Diesel Repair instructor Luis Ruiz (pictured, right).
“I come here to talk to [Luis] when I need clarity on some stuff,” Orozco explains.
He says Ruiz provides him with a lot of solid advice, but the one that sticks with him most: “Not everyone you meet is your friend, but everyone can teach you something.”
