Watch this inspiring video featuring CAPS Central’s Torres family!

Earlier this summer, Spanish-language news media personality Neida Sandoval interviewed CAPS Central twins, Derick and Ashly Callejas Torres for her popular YouTube channel and social media platforms. The story highlights how their mother ― a janitor at CAPS Central ― enrolled them in the school to provide opportunities she never had. Now, Derick is at the University of Pennsylvania, and Ashly is attending Rutgers University ― both on full scholarships.

This story illustrates the significant impact CAPS Central and especially their counselor, Halima Moore, had on the twins. Without Ms. Moore’s support, they wouldn’t have aimed for or achieved admission to top-tier universities.

This video is a testament to CAPS’ mission to prepare scholars from all backgrounds for success at top universities. Derick and Ashly credit their achievements to the guidance they received at CAPS Central. English translation is below.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: INTERVIEW WITH DERICK AND ASHLY CALLEJAS TORRES

0:08
Hello, how are you? It’s great to greet everyone at home. I’m delighted to share a story with you that inspires us to keep moving forward, chasing our dreams. This is a story that not only inspires but also motivates many young people, parents, and immigrants to keep going in this great country, the United States.

0:32
On Tuesday, June 18th, the twins Derek and Ashley Callejas Torres, 18 years old, graduated from College Achieve Central Charter School in New Jersey. Their parents are Salvadoran immigrants who met in the United States and got married. They have four children, with Derek and Ashley being the oldest. They have completed their studies with honors and received scholarships to attend university. Derek will study political science, and Ashley will study nursing. Undoubtedly, their parents are very proud that their twins are the first generation in their family to attend university. So we celebrate this great achievement of the Torres family, which represents the success of many immigrant families in the United States.

1:37
Let’s share this story. Derek and Ashley, it’s exciting to meet you. How are you? Today is your graduation day.
“We’re doing well, excited. Today is a special day for both of us.”

2:00
How old are you, and where were you born?
“We’re both 18 years old, and we were born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. We’re very excited that finally the day has come when all our dreams, or at least one of our dreams, has come true, especially graduating from high school. We’re very excited that we can go to good schools and colleges to finish our careers and achieve our dreams.”

2:32
I understand that Derek wants to study political science. Why does that career interest you?
“Because of my parents. They are immigrants, and I would like to help the Hispanic community, people like my parents.”

2:58
What are your parents’ names?
“My mom’s name is Paula Torres, and my dad’s name is Aramis Callejas. They came from El Salvador. Tell me a little about your parents and why they are so important to you.”

3:09
“My mom left everything she had in El Salvador and came to this country. First, she arrived in California, then she started working and looking for more opportunities. After that, she came to New Jersey, started working, and met my dad, who was also working. Together, they were a power team, always supporting each other. They sacrificed a lot to come here, especially in a country where they had nothing. My dad came at 17, and my mom came at 21. My dad was already in the United States before my mom, but they both arrived with nothing. They had to work hard to build a future and open new doors for our family.”

4:12
“I think my mom has a lot of courage because she did everything necessary to move our lives forward while also wanting to take care of us. She took a job closer to home because she couldn’t be with us during the days. For example, she used to work in a hotel, where she worked almost every day until 6 PM, starting at 6 AM, including Saturdays. But she took that job at the school because it had a better schedule for seeing her children and also gave her weekends off to be with us. It was a new opportunity for new doors to open, as the College Achieve community became a part of her family, especially with our counselor, who helped us find many opportunities.”

5:18
How many years have you been at that school?
“We have been there for 7 years. Sometimes we were in the same classes, like math, and right now we have math and photography together, but otherwise, our classes were not together.”

5:54
What are the differences in your personalities? What do you like to do, Ashley? What are you passionate about?
“I like things related to cosmetology, beauty, women’s empowerment, painting, makeup, and stuff like that. In school, I like things related to science, biology, and chemistry.”

6:33
You’re going to Rutgers University to study nursing. How do you feel about getting a full scholarship to study there?
“I feel very excited because it was a tough battle. Just about a month ago, I didn’t know which school I would go to or what my options were. I was on the waitlist for Rutgers, and they hadn’t accepted me. I had to wait, and then one day, I had a dream that I got accepted into Rutgers. I didn’t think it was real, but I checked my email, and I saw that I was accepted at the New Brunswick campus and the Newark campus. Which one are you going to? I’m going to New Brunswick. How does it feel to see that dream come true? I feel very happy, and I feel like I can make my parents proud of me.”

7:40
Derek, you’re going to the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship as well. How do you feel, and what do you expect when you get to that university?
“I feel nervous but also proud and happy because it’s a new opportunity to help my family. It’s one of the best universities in the United States, and I feel that with the education I get there, I can do something good for my community.”

8:13
I know you’re nervous because you have to leave to catch the bus for the graduation ceremony.
“Yes.”
Just a few more questions. How do you maintain that nice relationship with your siblings? I know you have two younger siblings. You are now the inspiration for your younger siblings. I understand you have a 14-year-old sister and an 8-year-old brother.
“Yes.”
How do you feel about being the ones who are paving the way for your family and these younger siblings?
“I feel happy because each of our siblings follows one of us. For example, my sister follows her, but my brother follows me. I think we’re showing them something nice, that they can also follow us and do something good. We’re giving them a path to follow, showing them that they can do the same things we are doing.”

9:17
What message do you have for the school that has embraced and supported you so much, College Achieve Central Charter School?
“Yes, my message is thank you for everything. We have had good and some not so good memories, but in the end, they helped us get to where we are today. Without our counselor, we wouldn’t have applied to colleges, and without their help, we wouldn’t have gotten scholarships to these good schools.”

9:52
What is the name of your counselor?
“Miss Moore.”
A round of applause for Miss Moore and all the support for you. Ashley, what’s your message for your parents, for your family, who must be proud to see you graduate and then go to university with everything paid for?
“I tell them thank you for everything and for always being there during the most difficult times. Now that those difficult moments have passed, it’s time for us to shine and to do our best. Thank you for all the support.”

10:47
What message do you have for all those young immigrants who think they may not have a chance, who are scared but have a lot of talent and a strong desire to continue studying and achieving their dreams in the United States?
“Don’t give up because even for immigrants, there is hope. In our school, there are many kids who are also immigrants, and our counselor helped them find opportunities where they can attend these universities for free too. Work hard because they can do it too.”

11:20
Ashley, a final message just before you receive your diploma and leave that school with all the enthusiasm and desire to earn your nursing degree at Rutgers University.
“Thank you for everything, for the people who have supported me. This is just a door opening to many opportunities that are coming, and I hope to fulfill my career and dreams with determination. I will be able to do it, and all the negative things are just a door to the positive.”

12:05
How will it be for you to be separated from your siblings when you go to university in the fall?
“It will be sad, but we will stay in touch.”
Have you already got your dorm assignments?
“Yes, we have.”
I can see you’re both excited to see each other.

12:30
Good luck, Derek and Ashley, with everything you set your minds to. A round of applause for you and for your parents, who have believed in you and are in this country pursuing the American Dream and seeking opportunities. God bless you.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Congratulations.

12:49
Thank you. Bye, Paula. Thank you so much for talking to me. I’ve spoken with your twins. Congratulations on their graduation. How do you feel?
“I feel very, very happy and proud of them for doing such a good job. I thank God a lot and also the teachers for doing a great job with them. And their father and I put in a lot of effort.”

13:20
Congratulations, because your twins have received scholarships to go to good universities in the United States. How do you feel about that great news?
“I feel very, I don’t know how to say it. I don’t know how to thank everyone right now. I feel so happy because it was a great job on their part. I always told them to do their best, and I feel like it’s motivating them to be better than us. As immigrants, we sometimes can’t study, and we often take on the most difficult jobs in this country, but we still move forward.”

14:12
For you, the education of your four children is paramount.
“It’s very important for them because if they don’t get a good education, then they might end up doing things they don’t really like, just like us who work in cleaning. My husband works in landscaping. Our jobs aren’t bad, but if they can pursue a career that gives them a better life, that’s great.”

14:50
I’m struck by the fact that you stopped working in hotels to work within the school system where you were able to enroll your children. How was that shift from hotel work to cleaning work in one of the schools your children attended?
“I’m very grateful to the school for giving me this opportunity because, although I didn’t study much, I felt a passion for working with children. That motivated me, and I am very grateful to the school for giving me this opportunity to work there.”

15:34
What did you do at the hotel to make a living?
“I was a housekeeper; I did cleaning. I worked there for 16 years.”
At which hotel?
“It was a hotel called Marriott Corp.”
“I worked there for 16 years, but then I decided I didn’t want to be there anymore because my kids were growing up, and I needed time for them.”
Did you feel like you were abandoning your kids while working at the hotel?
“Maybe not abandoning them, but the time I had for them wasn’t enough. I didn’t enjoy the weekends with them, so that’s why I decided to work at the school. The time I spent with them at the school was different. Although working at the hotel was good, the weekends were something I didn’t get to enjoy with them.”

16:35
You immigrated from El Salvador in 1998 and arrived in California. Did you immigrate as an undocumented person?
“Yes.”
How was it to leave El Salvador and arrive in California?
“It was very, very difficult, something unexpected on those journeys. It was surprising at every step. It took me a month and 15 days to reach the United States. It was done in secret to cross the border. It took a month and 15 days for me to get to California. How was it in Arizona? That’s where I arrived first. The truth is that my parents were very poor, and we were 14 siblings, including me. So, I wanted to give my father a better life. That’s why I came here.”

17:52
Where were you born?
“I was born in San Ildefonso, a department of San Vicente in El Salvador.”
How was it to leave El Salvador in 1998, to leave your country, and cross Mexico to arrive in Arizona? Did you do it on foot, by bus, on the train, or on ‘La Bestia,’ the train of death? How was that journey?
“It was like that. First, it was by bus, then walking, then by train. The train moves, and you have to run to get on it. Most of the time, it was walking through those difficult places. It’s hard, and I wouldn’t wish that journey on anyone. You miss your parents, and coming to a place you don’t know, you don’t know what will happen. Unfortunately, it’s hard to come with people who weren’t even my family. A man helped me, but thanks to God, I was able to live with his daughters, and now we’re here.”

18:59
Walking through Mexico as an undocumented immigrant, were you afraid? What was the worst thing that happened to you?
“The worst thing was in Mexico; it’s confusing who is who and who isn’t. We were once in a car with what appeared to be soldiers, but then we were stopped by others who seemed like military men, and I didn’t understand because they would give us things like a man gave me a rifle and said, ‘Carry this,’ and when we were stopped, they asked me, ‘Why are you carrying that?’ I said, ‘I’m carrying it because I don’t know why he gave it to me.’ It was a big scare. Then we were arrested, detained there for a long time, afraid that we might be killed or something because it was clear those people weren’t good. They were smugglers, and you always felt fear. It was a place where you’d often turn to God because you didn’t know if you’d make it or not.”

20:20
How did you manage to get out of that prison, and where in Mexico was it?
“It was in a place called the Federal District. I don’t know who paid, but eventually, we were released, perhaps because the person who brought us paid for us to get out. But it’s tough, terrifying, especially for someone who doesn’t know the country.”

20:50
Did they attempt to assault you?
“No, they didn’t. We tried to stay close and prayed a lot to God for protection. That’s what we did, and later, they released us, and we continued on our way.”
Did you pay a coyote (smuggler)?
“Yes.”
How much did you pay?
“At that time, it was around $3,000 to $3,500 in El Salvador. Here, when we arrived, he charged more, like another $2,000.”

21:30
How did you come up with that money for the journey?
“My brother in El Salvador lent me part of it, and when I got here, someone was waiting for me to pay that money. The next day, I had to go to work to gradually gather that money. It took almost two years to pay all that money.”

22:02
Was someone waiting for you?
“Yes, a man who lent me the money was waiting for me here in Los Angeles. He was a friend of my father’s.”
How did you feel while going through the process of adjusting to a new country? What did you do for work initially?
“The first day, the man told me, ‘Paula, you have to work with me.’ I had to work doing things like fencing houses, painting them, because I had the mindset that no matter what I did, the important thing was to earn money here. So, he told me to help paint the fences of houses. That’s how I started working in the first few weeks in California.”

23:04
What other jobs have you done since 1998 in the United States?
“I worked in a factory making handbags. Then I switched to another factory called Art of Mexico, where they made things like lamps and decorations for wealthy people. It was very nice work, painting and making them in different colors.”

23:42
Did you manage to legalize your status?
“Yes, because in 2001, when the earthquakes happened in El Salvador, they gave us TPS (Temporary Protected Status). I worked for a few years without documents, but later, with TPS, more job opportunities opened up for me.”

24:02
Are you still on TPS?
“Yes, I’m still on TPS. So many years waiting for permanent residency and hoping for an opportunity to get it.”
You moved from California to New Jersey. Why did you make that change?
“My brother lived in New Jersey. He visited us and told us it was better here because you could earn a bit more money. He said that the leaves that fall here are like quarters. So, we thought, if it’s better there than here, we should move. We came here in 2001, and we’ve never moved from this place.”

24:48
When you came to California, did you fall in love?
“No, not in California. It was here in New Jersey that I met their father and got married.”
Your husband is also Salvadoran?
“Yes, he is Salvadoran too, and he also doesn’t have legal permanent documents to live in the United States.”
“No, he also has TPS. Both of us have TPS.”

25:41
You both have TPS, and you have four children.
“Yes.”
And you decided to take the risk of leaving a long-time job to work in cleaning at this school.
“I felt very happy when they told me, ‘Yes, there’s a position where you can work with the children.’ I feel very happy working at the school because it’s something wonderful to work with children and with teachers. It brings me a lot of joy.”

26:07
Is that why you enrolled your twins in that school?
“They were already at that school. They started when they were in sixth grade. Sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, they had already been studying there for about three years.”

26:31
How did the idea come about to leave your hotel job of so many years to work at the school close to your older children?
“Well, if I told you the whole story, it would be more extensive because the reason wasn’t my twins. It was because of my younger daughter. When I worked at the hotel, my daughter was often sick, and the school would call me frequently. When I worked at the hotel, I was happier on weekends because my daughter was with her father. But when my daughter started going to the school where my other children attended, I felt a need to be with her at that school. I felt that if I were there, I could protect her whenever she felt unwell.”

27:40
You felt a vision, a calling to change jobs and be closer to your children, practically.
“Yes, that’s how I felt. When they said, ‘Paula, we’re giving you the job,’ I didn’t say, ‘I want it because my daughter is here.’ It just came from my heart because I thought that if I were close to my children, it would be easier to be there in case of an emergency. That’s the real reason why I changed, for my daughter.”

28:18
And this school where your children have been is a school that embraces diverse communities, including Latinos.
“Yes, it’s a new school that they brought here. I think this school started around 2014. They brought it from California. My children came from a school in Plainfield, which is a very good school. They started at a school called Emerson, which is excellent. Then I went to them and asked the secretary to please add my children there. The secretary said, ‘I can’t because this opportunity is only open to smart kids,’ she told me. So I said, ‘I’m not bringing you kids who aren’t good. My kids are very smart, and you’ll see they will make progress in this school.’ She said, ‘Wait, let me see their grades, and then I’ll let you know if there’s an opportunity.’ And that’s how it happened. It was because of my children’s grades that they were able to enter that school. That school is always strict about grades, and that’s how it went. Thanks to God, they became good students.”

30:00
You know what, Paula? We’re talking now that your children have graduated from high school and are preparing to go to university. When I spoke with your kids on their graduation day, they proudly mentioned that sometimes they help you with your cleaning tasks at the school and that they feel very proud of you and their dad.
“That’s true because I do my regular hours, and then my boss asks if I want to work more in the afternoon. Then both of them come and help me, so we can finish and do things well. I’m very grateful to the school because I thank the principal. He even took them to England with him and told me they were good kids. He bought them some university shirts, and I’m very grateful to the school.”

30:59
Paula, how was that graduation moment, knowing your son had special merits?
“It was something that I wish every mother could feel. It was so wonderful that he was chosen among the kids; he was the first. I would like these good, intelligent kids to go to schools to motivate other kids because most are asleep. They are asleep, and I would like the teachers to work alongside the parents. Unfortunately, so much is happening with young people now; they don’t want to pay attention to the teacher. I remember that before, we had to respect the teacher and do what the teacher said. That’s not the case now. I don’t know if it’s just in this country or in others, but unfortunately, this is happening here.”

32:02
Parents need to work hand in hand with teachers to save our children. Is that the formula, Paula?
“Yes, that’s the most important formula. If we don’t do this, our young people won’t have the opportunity to go to university and be responsible adults. Parents need to pay more attention to their children from a young age. We need to teach them what to do and what not to do because if we don’t start at home, there’s no solution elsewhere. The teacher will give their class; those who understand will do well, and those who don’t, won’t.”

32:57
So you felt that your children’s graduation was like you graduated from that school yourself, right?
“Yes, I felt such an emotion. I cried, I shouted, I said, ‘God, what a great blessing you’ve given me to experience this, to see them do such a good job.’ I feel, honestly, I wish all mothers could experience this.”

33:57
I am so proud of them. I know that God is always with us, and I’m constantly praying for them to become good human beings.
“Your twins Derek and Ashley, how do they feel now?”
“They feel great. And the younger ones? What are the names of your four children and your husband? Well, we have Derek, Ashley, Andrea, and Eric. My husband’s name is Aramis.”

34:45
You and your husband are both on TPS. Your children, thank God, were born in the United States, so they don’t have problems continuing their higher education at university. Now comes the moment of separation. How have you prepared for that moment when Ashley goes one way and Derek another to continue their education in nursing and political science?
“I think no mother is prepared for that moment. In reality, I wish it would never come, but if it’s their opportunity, I think it’s okay for them to do it. They will be greatly missed because they help me with everything I need. They are always there with me. But if God is giving them this opportunity, they must go, even if it breaks my heart for a few years. We have to keep moving forward.”

35:52
Did you take this trip to El Salvador as a family?
“Yes, we did it as a family to let them know where we come from, where we were born, where we studied, and what life is like in our country. It’s not like here. This country is wonderful in many ways. Life there is different, more complicated, harder, poorer. It’s more difficult to live there because they saw it for the first time. I think they liked some parts and didn’t like others. But I think it was a good experience for them to see how things are here and there.”

37:00
How did you feel on the way back, knowing that your children connected with the country that gave birth to you and then returned to the country that offers them so many opportunities?
“It was very nice because I got to see my family, my siblings, though my mother was no longer there. It’s like a dream to go to El Salvador and see the different cultures, different things you learned, like showering with a bucket because sometimes there’s no running water. In some places, you have to pour water over yourself with a container because there isn’t potable water. They saw the animals and had a beautiful surprise. The truth is, when we returned, it was more like, thank God we came back. It was very beautiful.”

38:00
It’s beautiful that the twins graduated from high school, are going to university, and that for the first time, you and your husband took your four children, born in the United States, to see where you come from, your roots in El Salvador. How did you feel about reconnecting your children with the country of their origins and then returning to the United States, which offers them so many opportunities?
“It was very nice because I could see my family, my siblings, although my mom was no longer there. It’s like a dream to go to El Salvador and see the different cultures, different things you learned, like showering with a container because sometimes there’s no running water. In some places, you have to pour water over yourself with a container because there isn’t potable water. They saw the animals and had a beautiful surprise. The truth is, when we returned, it was more like, thank God we came back. It was very beautiful.”

40:50
There is beauty on both sides. The most important thing is to keep moving forward. Congratulations, Paula. Thank you so much for your time, for opening your heart, and for sharing such intimate details of your family with me. I am very happy and celebrate this great double achievement with your children, and may God protect you.
“Thank you so much. I also hope you continue doing this work to motivate mothers to be there for their children, so we don’t find them in bad situations or crying over them or them being in difficult situations. I hope you keep doing this work because I’m very proud that you interviewed me. I don’t know how to thank you, but I feel very happy. Thank you so much.”