SAN DIEGO, May 2 — Brianna Ornelas, a first-generation senior in speech, language, and hearing sciences at San Diego State University, grew up in the community of National City. Her family came to National City in 1969 and has always called the city home. As a first-generation student, she is determined to do as much as she can to contribute to her family’s home and the unique culture of the city.
“National City is my home. It’s all I’ve ever known, all my parents have ever known,” Ornelas said. “If we don’t fight for our culture or contribute to our amazing community, who will? It is up to my generation to learn as much as we can to give back to our city.”
National City was founded by Frank Kimball and two of his brothers, Warren and Levi, when they purchased the 26,000+ acre National Ranch in 1868. The land was sold to both ranchers and commercial interests, but the main business district was close to the waterfront and that is where banks, groceries, and residences are still located today.
Marilyn Carnes, the author of Early National City and a history expert, said the Kimballs were such an integral part of National City developing into the city it is today.
“The Kimballs were interested in supporting business, be it agricultural or commercial pursuits, so that their development would be successful. In 1871 they constructed a long pier at 17th St, so products could be shipped to market and materials could be delivered from San Francisco,” Carnes said. “No city can successfully grow if it can’t get the products it produces to market. So, transportation was what allowed National City to grow.”
Brianna grew up along the waterfront at Sweetwater River where those developments still stand today, soaking in the Latinx culture and community around her. Her favorite memories include going to the National City Swap Meet with her aunt Santa Ornelas.
“I loved taking Brianna to the swap meet when she was little,” Santa Ornelas said. “It was incredible to see her come to life around her people, to see her little eyes take in all the amazing culture of her heritage.”
The National City Swap Meet is just one example of the cultural events that National City has to offer. Brianna stated that local events and neighborhood barbeques also make up a huge part of what it means to live in National City.
“To me, community means neighborhood block parties and car shows. It means growing up in multigenerational houses and hanging out with friends along Sweetwater River or at Kimball Park. It means parties thrown when someone gets into college and loud dinners with way too many people,” Ornelas said.
“That is what I am trying to protect and what I am trying to promote; that is why it is so important to be a first-generation student who earns my college degree. Being the first in my family to go to college means that I can better help my community.”
Brianna is not alone in her journey as a first-generation student. According to San Diego State University’s Center for First-Generation Student Success, 40% of SDSU’s population is first-generation.
Specifically for National City, however, not many college students, first-generation or otherwise, obtain their Bachelor’s Degree. According to data from the 2020 census, while 74% of National City students graduate from high school, only 15% get a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, National City has a dropout rate of 26% which is higher than the 12% dropout rate in the United States.
“I am not surprised that the statistics for National City are so low,” Ornelas said. “It was such a big deal that I got into college and that I am about to get my degree. Most of my friends from home have dropped out, and my dad even dropped out of high school.”
2020 census data also states that in National City, only 7.6% of the people that gain a Bachelor’s Degree or higher are Hispanic. Being a first-generation student is a big part of the struggles Hispanic college students face when trying to earn their degree.
“It is really hard to be a first-generation college student, even though San Diego State has a big first-generation community and lots of resources,” Ornelas said. “I had no one to walk me through the application process or talk me through securing loans and scholarships. I am just grateful that I was able to figure it out.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Hispanic students have the lowest college completion rates of any other racial/ethnic group—even after surmounting the obstacles on the path to college, further barriers, such as low financial resources and inadequate career guidance, remain.” However, resources such as the Center for First-Generation Student Success have a huge impact in helping Latinx students acclimate to college and obtain their degrees.
Additionally, Southwestern College provides the local community of National City with many opportunities to pursue higher education without the barriers found at other colleges. Southwestern Superintendent Dr. Mark Sanchez remarked on the support found at the community college.
“We currently have more than 17,000 students, which represents a 13% increase over last spring semester. These students are also enrolling in more classes, which helps them to achieve their academic, personal, and career goals more efficiently,” Sanchez said in the State of the District address on March 17. “4,000 students in dual enrollment a semester is an achievable goal. It is also a significant equity goal for our communities of color. We know that if we can put students, especially black and brown students, on an early trajectory for college success, the more likely they are to integrate into the regional workforce needs in this region, and that is the work we want to do.”
Ornelas plans on obtaining her degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences from San Diego State this semester and coming back to National City to start working with people who need extra support to hear or communicate. She also plans to be a resource to students within National City who want to earn their degree.
“Celebrating, protecting, and promoting the culture of National City that I grew up with includes providing resources and support for first-generation students so that they can give back and help our city grow,” Ornelas said. “Knowing where we come from and where we can go is how we secure our future.”
For more information about the school options in National City, please access the map below.