Sayra Reyes, center, and classmates at BUILD Oakland's 2009 Graduation Ceremony

Senior Profile of Oakland Student Sayra Reyes

Sarya Reyes just graduated from Oakland Technical High School, and was Chief Operating Officer of HerStory Now, a t-shirt company which used pictures and quotes to empower all women.

Sayra heard about BUILD at a school event when she was starting ninth grade. "I was captured by the idea of making my own money," she says. "I never imagined that BUILD meant tons of math, sharp public speaking, independence, self-motivation, and risk taking. And I had no idea BUILD wouild transform me into a well-rounded, multi-talented, professional young entrepreneur."

About her favorite memory of BUILD, Sayra likes to tell the story of her team's first venture captialist pitch. "I remember walking into the room and it felt like a business scene right out a movie! The long table, nice big chairs, and a strict looking business man sitting at the end of the table. To top it all off, our confidence shot up so much higher when we had told him that we didn’t need slides, because we had memorized it! At the end of the day I got home and told my whole family that our business meeting was exactly from out of a movie, except with a big coffee spill."

BUILD gave Sayra the belief that college was possible. "During the college trip to Los Angeles, my heart jumped in amazement as I saw different people from different backgrounds coming together to achieve the same goal I have, the goal of pursuing an undergraduate degree."

This summer, Sayra is working at the BUILD Oakland office as a summer intern, which she loves. "Everyone is organized, on point, professional, and really fun to work with. I have fun doing the work, and now I know why our BUILD teachers pushed us so hard!" She is also working with the BUILD Oakland College Advisor to get ready for the upcoming school year.

About the upcoming school year, Sayra says, "I am looking forward to navigating my own goals, responsibilities, and dreams. My whole life, I’ve always had my father and mother giving me that small push. This coming school year I'll need to push myself. I’m really looking forward to fully pushing myself and finally being an 'individual' at school. I am majoring in Art, and I SUPER excited for my art classes and the sports!"