Ailed & Damon

The effects of affirmative action legislation and policy are very real for two Bay Area teens. With vast differences in their family life, cultural backgrounds, and school experiences, Ailed and Damon share a common goal: to enter the freshman class at UC Berkeley in the fall. Their acceptance--or rejection--has consequences not only for them as individuals, but for their families, communities, society, and future generations.

The letters are in. Since our program's original broadcast we've learned that Damon was not accepted by UC Berkeley. Ailed was originally accepted at UC Berkeley to begin in her junior year, contingent upon successful completion of her first two years at a junior college or other university. Ailed appealed and was admitted. She started at U.C. Berkeley in the Fall of 1999 and plans to major in sociology. She continues to work, care for her brothers and commute via bus to CAL. Ailed was also accepted by UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, SF State, San Jose State and Menlo College. Damon has been accepted at Cal Poly, Boston University, USC, UC San Diego, UCLA and Northwestern. He is also on the waiting list at Columbia, which would be his first choice. His next top choices are UCLA and Northwestern.

Ailed Paningbatan
Balboa High School, San Francisco
"I am a Filipina daughter with the duties my parents have handed down. I am a sister and a care-giver of two younger brothers. I am an employee of Burlington Coat Factory. I am a student. And being the first to attend a four-year university, I am breaking the barriers that have prevented my parents from getting a higher education."

Damon Gilkerson
Marin Academy, San Rafael
"I have always had my mom there to ask questions I've had, just helping me to fill out applications and stuff like that."
"My parents and the schools I've gone to have set me up so far... at least if I continue on the path I'm on, I can pretty much do whatever I want."

A level playing field?

Ailed's experience at Balboa High School:

Damon's experience at Marin Academy:

20% of her classmates plan to attend a 4-year college
Only 2 Advanced Placement classes are offered
Her school is highly diverse with a student body that is 28% Latino, 20% African American, 30% Filipino, and 5% White.
Her college counselor is responsible for 260 students
Ailed's teacher was laid off due to budget excesses in San Francisco Unified School District
Balboa suffers inferior facilities, with holes in walls and vandalized bathrooms
She works 18 hours per week after school to support her family in the US and the Philippines
Her parents do not have college educations
She cares for two brothers because her parents work shifts in the evening and early morning
Ailed wants to be a lawyer or a doctor to take care of her family, care for those in need in the Philippines, and enjoy travel
Ailed's GPA is 3.6 and her SAT score 890

Nearly 100% of his classmates attend a 4-year college
13 Advanced Placement classes
Despite recruitment efforts to bring diversity to the school, 80% of students are white
His college counselor read drafts of his college essays nearly every day
Damon's teacher was actively recruited by Marin Academy
His school has a new $4 million gym complex
He plays on the volleyball team and works for the school newspaper after school
His parents have advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and have always assumed Damon would attend college
His parents have helped with college applications through visits to campuses and feedback on essays
Damon wants to be a business executive in Silicon Valley
Damon's GPA is 4.1 and his SAT 1400

Please send your comments to baywindow@kqed.org

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