ESCONDIDO, Calif. — An Escondido teenager who has faced tremendous hardships growing up continues to beat the odds.
And the path she’s taken is being recognized with some new wheels to help lead her to success.
Eighteen-year-old Suraya couldn't help the giddiness as she sat in her own car.
“It’s so pretty oh my,” said Suraya.
The 2016 shiny, silver Toyota Camry is a definite upgrade from her outdated registered 2006 Nissan Ultima.
“I thought it would break down on me, get a flat tire. Three of my tires did have nails in them,” said Suraya.
She’s driving in a safer sedan with leather seats, Bluetooth and a working manual gear shift.
“I like this little thing, my old one was broken,” said Suraya.
Broken, a feeling that the teen says she had to overcome growing up.
“My child self is so proud of myself to be where I am today,” said Suraya.
The Orange Glen High School graduate said when she was a child, her single mother got hooked on drugs, and she bounced around her grandparents' and relatives’ homes often feeling abandoned.
“I definitely didn’t see myself here where I am today. I saw myself maybe not even graduating high school,” said Suraya.
Her story started when she was a little girl, but it wasn’t publicly heard until four months ago when she was recognized as a Rising Star by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation.
“When I turned 8, we were homeless,” said Suraya. “When we were homeless everything went downhill for me.”
Each month, Rising Stars says it honors high school seniors for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school and community activities and/or the ability to overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education.
In the crowd listening to her story was retired Escondido lieutenant and Escondido Police Officers Care Foundation board member, Al Owens.
“She gets up off her feet every single time, she graduated high school, she paid for her own braces, she went to driving school, whatever she does we want her to be a success,” said Owens.
He heard Suraya had an unreliable car and kicked it into gear.
Owens hit many speed bumps along the way. With the help of the Escondido Police Officers Care Foundation, the Rotary After 5 and ECCCF Rising Stars, Owens donated his wife’s Toyota Camry.
"The vehicle she was driving was unsafe, old, no family support. We are going to take care of this kid," said Owens.
No matter the bumps in the road, Suraya says she’s surrounded herself with good people.
“Thank you so much and I appreciate everyone who has helped me, and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of these people helping me,” said Suraya.
She hopes her story inspires others to steer their own path.
“If that going through hard times, they can get through it too, it’s all in your mindset. You just have to strive for better,” said Suraya.
Suraya says she’s inspired by the people who have helped her and she hopes to do the same and become a Escondido 911 dispatcher.
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