Student Spotlight: Breanna Cuellar

Breanna Cuellar worked hard for three years preparing for El Camino’s highly successful Radiologic Technology Program, with the goal to become an X-ray technician. She also enjoys her job at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she is gaining career experience along with a much-needed paycheck. 

Though she is an outstanding student, her housing costs threatened to derail her education. To cover rent, she put in exhausting 40-hour evening work weeks after full days of classes and clinical rotations – a work-study-housing balance that was clearly unsustainable. A $1,000 monthly scholarship through Operation Helping Hands drastically changed her trajectory, allowing her to shift away from full-time work so she can concentrate on her studies.

The scholarship award arrived at a critical turning point – without it, she was poised to leave the program, unable to reduce her hours to the recommended part-time schedule to manage her demanding coursework and activities. 

“I am inspired and humbled by the generosity and compassion of selfless people,” she said. “Every step forward I make in my education at El Camino is a reminder that there are those who believe in me and the goals I am on my way to achieve. I look forward to the day that I can be a part of this same community and make others feel empowered to be all that they can be.”