ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) -- A San Diego dreamer has overcome obstacles to graduate at the top of her class. She got into every college she applied to and is heading to UCLA in the fall.
It's not easy for a lot of people, but especially not for her.
"I'm considered a dreamer," said Karely Amaya. "So I'm lucky to be living in California."
Her parents brought her to the U.S. from Mexico when she was two years old.
"I was the first one in my family to learn English," said Amaya. "I would get bullied a lot because my English was very choppy."
It's a struggle that still sticks with her today.
"A lot of hate from people," said Amaya. "Being like, 'you should be deported, you don't belong here."'
But all of that just made her work harder.
"I used that to encourage me instead and not put me down," said Amaya. "Show people out there that I can actually do things."
She graduated at that top of her class as an inspiration and a leader.
"I'm the ASB president of my school, I played three sports year-round, volleyball, water polo and softball."
Through it all, never giving up.
"Not having this easy way like everyone else has been very difficult for me," said Amaya.
She'll be majoring in political science and public policy at UCLA.
"I really want to give a fair trial," said Amaya. "And I want to be a lawyer to make things right."
