All About Me

My name is Sarai Alcantar-Uriostegui, I am an advanced standing MSW student at Cal State University, Long Beach. My goal is to obtain my PPSC to work at the school setting as a school social worker. During my spare time, I enjoy hiking with my eight dogs. My favorite color is yellow and my favorite show is Grey’s Anatomy. I enjoy listening to all music genres, but my absolute favorite is reggaeton and pop. I consider myself a team player, easy-going, energetic and an open-minded person.

Hi everyone! I'm Stephanie Alvarado; a third year graduate student at California State University, Los Angeles enrolled in the M.S. Counseling, Option in School Psychology program also pursuing a certificate in clinical counseling. This is my first year as an internship student and I am so excited for the opportunities and experiences I will receive at WACSEP.

I have a passion for mental health and advocating for students in underserved populations. With the evolving school psychologist role in mental health settings, I hope to bring this passion with me as a future school psychologist within a high school setting. In the future, I would also love to teach future school psychology students at Cal State LA.

As a Libra I'm all about balance and try very hard to maintain my self-care. I love spending time with family, traveling, being outdoors in nature exploring new hiking trails, and lounging at the beach. I also enjoy my own company! I love listening to music (changes depending on my mood), reading a good book, and watching crime documentaries/movies or trash tv on Netflix or Hulu. Oh, I also don't like or drink coffee but DO have a serious milk tea boba addiction!

Hello, fellow interns/future colleagues!! My name is Chanel Boal and I am excited to be with you all for the school year. I am in my third and final year of the MSW program at Cal State University, Fullerton. If I enjoy interning in the school setting I will be pursing school social work, go on to obtain my LCSW, and in the future open a private practice. Some of my hobbies and self-care include weight training in the gym, going to the beach, watching movies, learning about health and fitness, listening to music, going to concerts, and playing/watching sports. Go Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers!! I have been working in the field since 2013 as a case manager serving those experiencing homelessness, probation corrections officer, family specialist in wraparound, and residential facility manager for foster/regional center youth. I am passionate and enjoy working with youth and families. This school year, I am looking forward to learning about the school social work setting and growing with this population.

Hello, My name is Kay and I am a senior in the Bachelor's of Social Work program at Azusa Pacific University. I am a first year BSW intern at WASCEP this year. My dream is to pursue a career in macro social work where I can advocate for LGBTQ+ youth through policy advocacy. For self-care, I love to watch old Saturday Night Live episodes, knit, or treat myself to some boba. I love all things movie-related, specifically comedies. I would describe myself as a pretty easy-going and open-minded person, always ready for a new experience.

Hello, my name is Verenice Gastelum! I am a third year student at Cal State LA and will graduate in May 2022. When I'm not in school mode, I enjoy walks at the beach, watching movies, exploring new restaurants, and creating memories with my family. My go-to drinks are strawberry lemonade and coffee. I have a baby boy who has made me seek coffee more now on those long nights! I have worked in the school setting for over five years, going from an after-school teacher to a bilingual instructional assistant, and then a substitute teacher. Working with students has allowed me to see how different every child is and how important it is to tailor to each student individually to help them succeed academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. I am excited for the future experiences and opportunities I will encounter this school year that will help me grow professionally and personally.

Hi everyone! I'm Eva Gonzalez the mental health department secretary. I have been at WACSEP for 5 years. I grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Cal State LA with my BSW. I am a mom of 3 kids. I have two in college and one in high school. I enjoy going for walks, reading and cooking.

Hello everyone! My name is Kevin Guillen and I am a first year MSW student at CSULA and I am expected to graduate in 2023. This is my first year being an intern and I am very excited for this experience. There are so many opportunities in social work to currently claim a dream job, but my goal is to acquire both a PPSC and LCSW to work at a school setting to help counsel students. One of my favorite things to do for self-care is to go on walks with my two chihuahuas. I also love going to the movies to escape reality and delve into the magic of cinema. I also love going to eat at restaurants with my friends and family. I like to try new places for the experience and so I won’t get tired of having the same meals from some of my favorite places.

Hello! My name is Kristine Hastings and I am a student at CSULB. I am currently in my first year of the MSW program and will be graduating in May 2022. My goals are to obtain the PPSC and then licensure (LCSW). I’m interested in school social work, as well as mental health, so I hope to aid and educate students on the importance of improving and maintaining their mental health. In the future I would love to teach at the college level and inspire other students to become social workers!

When I’m not busy with school work, I’m a colorguard coach at my old high school. In my spare time (when I can find some!) I enjoy reading, going to the beach, drinking coffee, and spending time with my friends/family. I am also a huge fan of true crime podcasts, Marvel movies and Disney!

Hello, my name is Karina Herrera, and I am part of the 3-year master’s in social work cohort at

the California State University Long Beach (CSULB). I am on my 2 nd year of the program and

completing my first-year internship. For self-care, I like spending time out in nature. This

includes having a picnic, meditating, going for a run or hike with my dog, going to the beach, or

going out to a nice view in Los Angeles. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, laughing

and going out to eat Korean Barbeque. I also love watching movies and TV shows, such as

Friends, That 70’s Show and New Girl. I particularly like romantic comedy movies, scary

movies and crime documentaries. I listen to all types of music, but my favorite genre is Indie/Alt

music. However, I am currently really loving Kasey Musgraves Golden Hour album.

Hello All! I am Maria Huerta, the Department Chair. I have been at WACSEP for almost 10 years, when this position was created. I had the privilege of developing our program from the ground up. It has been exciting watching it grow with our fabulous team. Prior to being at WACSEP I was a School Psychologist, Program Specialist and Mental Health Liaison at ERUSD for 15 years. While in graduate school, I worked in the Department of Children and Family Services (6 years total), supporting families in the South L.A. area. I am an adjunct professor in School Psychology/ School Counseling at APU, and a Licensed Educational Psychologist periodically completing private assessments. My menu of self-care activities, includes running, hiking, swimming, biking, traveling, yoga, reading, gardening and spending time with family and friends. This picture is of my children and I at Yosemite summer of 2020 when the world was closed (my husband was unable to join). Dream job? I feel that I am living it. Making an impact on the lives of students, while having a part in the development of my future peers.

Hi everyone, my name is Gabriela Perez, but you can call me Gaby; otherwise, I feel like I am in trouble. I'm in the 2yr MSW program at CSULA, and I am completing my first-year internship at WACSEP. I am interested in school social work and case management to provide families with tools and resources to succeed. I hope to one day work at an elementary school.

I enjoy having quality time with my family, trying new vegetarian/vegan restaurants, and participating in outdoor activities in my spare time. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy time alone to destress, which mostly consists of watching Grey's Anatomy. I am also a heavy coffee drinker as it helps me start the day.

Hi everyone! I’m Yvonne Quesada-Barron and I am an LCSW, Registered Play Therapist and Field Instructor at WACSEP. I am starting my 7th year here at WACSEP. Prior to WACSEP I worked at a non-profit mental health agency for 8 years providing clinical services, school based counseling and being a Coordinator for a drug and alcohol program for teens and their families. I received my BS from CSUF in Human Services, MSW from CSUSB and my PPSC from CSULB (post grad).

My favorite self care activities are to garden, go hiking, go to the beach, go for walks, play with my dogs, crafting, coloring, doing yoga, drinking tea, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. My dream job would be to work with active military children and their families abroad. I really hope that this year helps you all grow and challenges you to expand on your potential.

Hello, my name is Kristin Ramirez; I am a third-year School Psychology student at Azusa Pacific University. Within my program at the university, I have had the opportunity to specialize in Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS). My dream job is to be an Early Education School Psychologist. My favorite things to do are to spend time with my family, hiking, going to Costco, and reading. My self-care routine always includes finding at least twenty minutes a day to disconnect from the world; it is nice to be still in such a busy world. I am excited and grateful to be at WACSEP and look forward to learning and growing as a school psychologist.

My name is Bryant Renteria I am a intern from from Azusa Pacific University, who is entering his second year of internship. As it currently stands my dream job is to work in either the school or medical setting. The reasons for these two options is for awhile now I have had a passion to work in the school setting not only because of my prior experience working with foster youth, but now that I am dad to a incredible young man with special needs I want to be able to support him and all the kids whether they have developmental disabilities or not and provide the necessary outlet and safe space they can trust to make their social, emotional, and learning environments that much better. As for the medical setting with my current background I have come to appreciate the innerworkings of the medical system and the positive impact a social worker can provide to individuals and families in times of need. If we are being honest and transparent one of my weakest areas is self care. The reason I say this is because I tend not to focus on myself when needed and focus more on others, which I have come to understand is not a way to be and I need to change this about myself before it becomes a larger issues now or in the future. In describing who I am I can truly say that I am a loving, caring individual because I enjoy making people laugh, lifting them up in times in need, but most importantly making them feel that they are important to this world even when they do not see themselves. A fun fact about myself as it relates to my favorite colors is that the colors that I chose which are black, green, and white come from the characters from the power rangers more specifically the character Tommy Oliver and the various versions of power ranger he has been. At this point in my life I have come to see that I am no longer that young 21 year old who was go, go, go and is slowing down more and more, which has created a shift in how and what I do in my free time. I have come to notice that as I get older I tend to the opposite of what I did when I was younger, which is watch less TV and read more, which at this point I enjoy very much. Yet there are times that if a show does catch my attention I will watch it, which for me are comic books, adaptive fiction books (game of thrones, The Witcher..etc.) and or supernatural shows. One of my favorite things to do at this point in life now that I am a father is being able to watch and play basketball with my son something I looked forward to doing when I found out I was going to be a father. I can truly say that god has blessed me with such a beautiful and amazing little boy and cannot wait for what is in store in the coming future.

My name is Destiny Rodriguez. I transferred to Cal State LA from East Los Angeles college

after receiving my AA in Psychology and Sociology, as well as my AS-T in Administration of

Justice. I am currently in my last year of my BSW at Cal State LA. I want to finish my bachelors

and then get my masters at USC in the advance standing program. I then want to get my LCSW.

In my free time I like to read and spend time at the beach riding bikes or hanging out at the dog

beach with my 8-month-old boxer puppy.

I am in my third year of the School Psychology program at Azusa Pacific University. I completed practicum hours at an elementary school last year, and this will be my first internship experience. My dream job is to be a School Psychologist, so I am very excited to be approaching the end of the program and the beginning of my career! My favorite self-care activities include hiking, going on walks to clear my mind, and breathing/grounding exercises when I feel stressed. In my free time, I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and going to coffee shops.

Hello everyone! My name is Karintiha Sanchez, a third year student attending CSULA. I am currently completing the M.S. in School Psychology program, in addition to the Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling Certificate program. My expected graduation is in May of 2022. This is my first year as a school psychology intern. My dream job is to be a school psychologist. Some of my favorite things to do for self-care are to spend time doing outdoor activities, at the gym, at church, or simply catching up with family and friends. I am looking forward to this school year.

Hello and Welcome to WACSEP! I'm Taffy Salcedo and I am a graduate of CSULB. I am one of the LCSW and field instructors at WACSEP. This is my 8th year at WACSEP. My previous school social work experience includes working for Downey Unified School District as Program Specialist and East Whittier City School District as a School Social Worker, specializing in early childhood. Prior to obtaining my PPSC (post grad), I worked in community mental health as a therapist, and in management.

My favorite self-care activities include spending time talking and laughing with family and friends, doing at home facials, playing with my dog, reading, listening to personal growth podcasts, aromatherapy and quiet time when I can get it. I also like to run, bike and swim, they aren't in my top five, but they help to maintain my sanity :). There are still many things I would like to do with my social work degree, like be a part of a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team (national/international), try medical social work and participate in research. Dream job? I think working for the Make A Wish Foundation. I look forward to getting to know each of you and being a part of your educational journey! Wishing you all a great year.

Hello, my name is Cindy Sarabia! I am a fifth year student currently attending Cal State LA completing my BASW; I hope to graduate in May of 2022. This is my first year interning for social work and I am excited to take this opportunity to learn and grow in this field. My dream job is to be a school social worker. In my spare time, I like to go on hikes with my dogs, go to the beach, and roller skate.

I currently attend California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) and I am completing my third year for an MS in Counseling with an emphasis in School Psychology. Also, I am completing additional courses to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This year, I will be working as a School Psychology intern at WACSEP under the supervision of Vira and will also be interning at South Whittier with Jaime. When I graduate next May 2022, I hope to work as a School Psychologist at an elementary school. My hope is to work in Orange County since that is closer to home; however, I am open to working at other districts within WACSEP! When I am not studying or working, I am working out at the gym, attending yoga classes, baking yummy pastries, or exploring new restaurants with my friends and families.

My name is April Wong and I am a first year MSW student at Azusa Pacific University. My goal is to become a social worker in the criminal justice field, specifically within the juvenile justice system assisting and counseling at-risk youth and those who are transitioning from detention centers back to society. I am currently a student-athlete at my university so when I’m not at my internship or the classroom, I’m on the tennis court with my team. I grew up in a small town on the Big Island of Hawaii, so when I’m back home, I love going to the beach, going on hikes, and walking my dog. I’m super excited to be working at WACSEP and I look forward to expanding my knowledge in the social work field.