As part of our After the Diploma series, YES Prep celebrates alumni whose journeys reflect our lifelong commitment to student success. Through the College Initiatives program and the support of our Alumni Team, graduates continue to receive guidance, mentoring, and opportunities long after they cross the stage. Selena Rincon’s story is one of belief, perseverance, and community, a reminder that the Power of YES continues well beyond high school. 

A Dream Takes Root 

When she was just five years old, Selena Rincon decided she wanted to go to Harvard. 
For many, that dream might have seemed out of reach. But for Selena, it became a promise she carried with her; a dream fueled by determination and the unwavering support of the YES Prep community. 

Selena, a 2013 YES Prep Southeast alumna, credits her teachers and counselors with helping her see that dream as possible. She remembers the moment in seventh grade when her teacher, Mr. Lance Green, told her she could go to Harvard. It was the first time an adult outside of her family spoke that confidence over her. “Mr. Green was the very first teacher to tell me I could go to Harvard,” she said. “He never stopped believing in me.” 

That belief became a constant in her YES Prep journey. Teachers and leaders surrounded her with encouragement and support, going above and beyond to help her reach her goals. When Selena earned an interview for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship in New York City, her teacher, Ms. Geneva Rhee, traveled with her so she wouldn’t have to make her first flight alone. Those moments of care stayed with her. They reminded Selena that her community would always show up for her, even beyond the classroom. 

Guided by YES Prep’s College Team 

As a first-generation college student, Selena leaned on YES Prep’s college counseling team to help her navigate the complex process of applying to and enrolling in college. Her counselor, Ms. Monique Calderon, became a trusted guide, reviewing essays, preparing applications, and offering honest advice during moments of uncertainty. 

When Selena could not attend Harvard’s admitted students' weekend due to the Boston Marathon bombing, Ms. Calderon helped her navigate the uncertainty to move forward with confidence. 

“My counselors and teachers believed in me long before I believed in myself,” Selena said. “They helped me become the scholar and adult I am today.” 

Life at Harvard and Lessons Learned 

At Harvard, Selena’s world opened in ways she never imagined. During her time as a student, she traveled to Morocco, France, Jordan, and Palestine-experiences that deepened her understanding of the world, education, and opportunity. 

For Selena, higher education wasn’t just about earning a degree. It was about expanding her perspective, meeting people from around the world, and growing into the leader she always aspired to be. 

Returning Home 

This year, Selena returned to YES Prep as a representative for Harvard at this year’s 19th Annual College & Career Pathways Fair, a full circle moment that reminded her how far she’s come. 

She still remembers standing in the Southeast front offices when she watched the first YES Prep senior get accepted to Harvard. “I told myself I would be next,” she said. 

Now, as the one representing Harvard, Selena hopes her story reminds current students that big dreams are possible. “I had people tell me it was an unrealistic goal, especially for someone who was brown and low-income,” she said. Selena wants students to see that someone who looks like her and shares her background can thrive at a school like Harvard. 

Her message is simple. Hard work matters. Support matters. Belief matters. 

 

Advice for YES Prep Students 

Selena encourages students who dream of attending a prestigious university to be ready for sacrifice. “I missed parties, sleepovers, and school dances in high school,” she shared, “but those choices created new opportunities later in life.” She has now traveled to all seven continents before turning thirty, lived in Morocco, earned a second degree, and built a life full of the experiences she once dreamed about. 

Her advice to students is honest and hopeful. Work hard, take your goals seriously, and remember to care for your physical and mental health along the way. Big dreams require effort, but the payoff is worth it. 

 

The Power of YES 

Selena’s journey is a powerful reminder of what is possible when students receive strong guidance, high academic standards, and a community that believes in them. Her story reflects YES Prep’s mission to help students pursue lives filled with opportunity and purpose. 

When she returned to serve as a Harvard representative, she brought her story back to the place where her dream first took shape. And now, she is helping the next generation find their own paths forward. Because at YES Prep, the dream doesn’t end with graduation. 
It grows—powered by belief, community, and the lifelong Power of YES.