A few years back, Michael Montenegro took my film class at SBCC and was the smartest and most passionate student, albeit quite shy. I was slightly disappointed when he turned in an assignment one day that I knew wasn't up to his capabilities, so I told him he could do better.
Three years later, I’m happy to report that he’s maximizing his potential. Long gone is the shyness, for now he's an outspoken and confident man. But primarily I’m pleased that he's a youth coordinator at the YMCA's Youth and Family Center on Haley Street, where he mentors young kids about media and filmmaking.
A Santa Barbara resident since 1996, Michael takes much pride in Chicano culture and the wellbeing of the Latino community. In his spare time, he does social media marketing and produces creative projects like his own films.