First To Go
October 15, 2020 | Women's Soccer
By Joy Hong
Idalia Serrano's mother Socorro Franco sends her a reminder every now and then: Trabajo para darte lo que no me pudieron dar a mi.
The sentence translates into a reminder to her daughter that she works to give her everything she didn't have. The junior goalkeeper said she doesn't go a day without thinking about her mother's mantra in everything she does both on and off the field.
"It has been an honor to be able to show my family that their hard work has not been for nothing," Serrano said. "I want to show my little sister and all the kids who are in a similar position as me that anything is possible."
As first-generation student athletes, both Serrano and freshman midfielder Isabel Loza hope to share their stories and be the role model for those who come after them.
Loza's parents, Rosaneli and Fernando Loza, were both born and raised in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at a young age.
"They worked long hours raising three children while being full-time students, full-time workers, and full-time parents," Loza said. "I can never thank them enough for all their sacrifices so they could give us a life they never had growing up."
Loza, who was born and Whittier and grew up in La Mirada, led La Mirada High School to a league title and to the state championship game her in 2019. During her senior season, Loza logged 20 goals and 11 assists en route to earning CIF and Suburban League most valuable player.
The midfielder aspires to eventually pursue a career in physical therapy and said she hopes to make her family proud because of the challenges they faced to set her up for success.
"As a first-generation college student, I hope to make my family proud on the field by playing the best I can," Loza said. "I've been given an amazing opportunity, and I only want my family to see how I can utilize this opportunity to make them proud."
For Serrano, she also said she is thankful for the sacrifices her parents endured to support her family - including three older brothers and a younger sister - prior to immigrating to the United States.
"Both my mom and dad left their entire families in El Salvador in order for us to have a better future due to the harsh condition and violence in their country," Serrano said. "Both my parents would work from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. in all different types of conditions, like heavy rain, over-100 degree weather, and sicknesses."
"I have constantly witnessed that my parents' hard work is never for themselves, but for those around them, like their children or the families who are still in their home country," Serrano continued. "I've learned that no matter how tough life can be sometimes, someone always has it harder than you, and I know I am more privileged than others, so I never take things for granted."
Serrano, a political science and Chicana/o and Central American Studies major, is a four-time member of the Director's Honor Roll and hopes to pursue law school following graduation. She stated that her background has taught her fundamentals of how to work hard, be patient, stay compassionate, and be humble.
"Off the field, I want to prove to myself and others that I am not just an athlete but a woman with many goals and dreams," she stated. "I want to fulfill the life that my mother deserved and would have liked to have had. As much as she does many things and sacrifices for me, I do want to be able to repay her and provide her with everything she deserves."
