Maria de Lourdes Baruch

Monrovia Adult School

Nominated in 2025

From ESL to CPA: Maria de Lourdes Baruch’s Journey of Growth and Perseverance

Life’s journey unfolds at its own pace, with growth arriving when it is ready. This was certainly true for Maria de Lourdes Baruch, a student at Monrovia Community Adult School (MCAS), whose inspiring story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of believing in oneself, and the impact of encouragement.

Maria’s journey began in 2008 when she first enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at MCAS. As a non-English speaker, she was eager to learn and improve her language skills. However, life had other plans for her, and she had to leave the program to raise her children. Despite the setback, Maria never gave up on her dreams of furthering her education.

In 2016, Maria returned to MCAS to resume her ESL studies. It was there that she met a counselor who would change her life forever—Ms. Natalie Macchia. After reviewing Maria's transcripts, Ms. Macchia discovered that Maria had previously completed college-level accounting courses. Recognizing her potential, she encouraged Maria to take high school classes to finish her diploma instead of just focusing on ESL. "Ms. Macchia looked at my transcripts and saw that I had passed college accounting classes," Maria said. "She told me I should get my diploma."

Maria followed Ms. Macchia’s advice and earned her high school diploma in 2018. From there, the encouragement continued. Ms. Macchia recommended that Maria attend Citrus College, and by 2021, Maria had earned her Associates Degree. Encouraged by professors at Citrus College to continue her studies, Maria set her sights on higher education. She worked diligently and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Cal Poly Pomona in 2023.

Today, Maria works as an accountant for Anthony Apodaca CPA in Monrovia, and she is in the process of earning her own Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials. Reflecting on her journey, Maria credits much of her success to Ms. Macchia. "Without Ms. Macchia, I do not think I would have been successful," Maria shared. "She believed in my ability when I did not believe in myself. I would never have earned my diploma, and I would never have gone to Citrus. She is amazing."

Maria's story is a powerful reminder that growth comes in its own time, and with the right support, anything is possible. From a non-English speaker to a college graduate working in her chosen field, Maria de Lourdes Baruch is living proof that perseverance and belief in oneself can turn dreams into reality.