Do not let Claudia Andrade’s shyness and quiet demeanor fool you.  Underneath that demure exterior lies a relentless push for success. She has overcome some of the hardest outcomes life can throw at anyone, yet she does not give up.

In high school, Claudia was an average student. Like many people her age, she was quiet, focused, and aiming to fulfill goals she had set for life. Instead, her life was about to change. At the age of fifteen, Claudia became pregnant with her first child. The father of her baby was a drug addict and up to no good. Sometimes, he would beat her and mentally harass Claudia. Like many girls her age, she felt she was in love and did not leave her boyfriend even if it was not the best choice. She comments, “I knew one day that enough was enough.”

Claudia grew up in the South Central District of Los Angeles, Calif., a notoriously tough neighborhood. In 2005, Claudia lost her brother to street violence.  She describes that it was a normal day. She went to work and later hung out with a few friends. Moments later, she received a call. Her cousin and her brother were shot. Her brother did not survive. It was like a nightmare.

Today, Claudia has been nicknamed as “no excuses” because she never has one. Claudia has proven that even in the worst of situations and times, a student can stand firm and succeed.  She is so determined that there is no doubt she will reach the stars and beyond. Her Long Beach school peers believe that one day she can be our next president. If she did run, her slogan would surely be, “No excuses.”