Avondale teen working hard to fulfill dream of studying at Oxford

AVONDALE, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- It's not easy to get accepted at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, but one high school student in Avondale got the answer she hoped for. Now, she's trying her best to make it happen.

Mia Oquita is quite the overachiever, and couldn't believe it when she got this opportunity to study abroad at such a young age, and get a head start on accomplishing her dreams of working in criminal science. However, her family says they can't afford to send her. Mia's mother even got emotional explaining their family's situation.

"I'm glad that we still have to find a way to come up with the money, so still just working on that right now," said Mia.

While she did get a partial scholarship and raised $1,000 on her own, she says she needs help in raising another $8,000.

"I'm sad about it, because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to experience the college life and I really want to, and I feel like this program is really the best for me," said Mia.

Mia boasts a 3.93 GPA in school, is very active in sports, and is in her school's honor society. Her mother, Reyna Oquita, couldn't be prouder.

"She's worked very hard for this, and to know that money will be the only thing holding her back, it's really hard," said Oquita. "Right now, my husband is the only one who's working. I'm home with the baby and so it's hard."

GoFundMe for Mia Oquita
https://www.gofundme.com/