Like many Upward Scholars students, Obed came to the United States with limited formal education — six years to be exact. But Obed was determined not to let lack of formal schooling stand in his way. Soon after enrolling at Cañada College, Obed requested an Upward Scholars tutor. Andrea Bocobo, who was also a recent immigrant, began tutoring Obed when he was enrolled in intermediate ESL classes and continued to work with him until he completed English 100, the equivalent of college freshman English. They met weekly for two years.
“Andrea helped me put my ideas in order. My vocabulary was low. I had the concepts, but I didn’t know how to put them into the right words,” Obed says. “Because of Andrea, I finished very difficult ESL classes.”
But Obed had no intention of limiting his education to ESL. His next step was to take vocational classes to prepare him to move up in his job doing metal framing, drywall, and general carpentry for a large general contractor.
When Obed arrived in the United States, he started out as a laborer. Once his English improved, he was promoted to an apprentice and, two years later, to a journeyman.