Rogelio Vergara Morales

Rogelio (pronounced row-hell-leo) was born in Los Angeles, CA. As a first-generation American, Rogelio was raised by illiterate Mexican immigrants whose combined schooling totaled a third-grade education. He attended 92nd Street Elementary School in Watts, Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his childhood, Rogelio was often surrounded by gang violence, poverty and drugs.

In 1987, Rogelio’s family moved to the Inland Empire after his father’s job relocated to Riverside, CA. He attended several schools in the district, including Myra Lynn Elementary School, La Sierra Academy and La Sierra High School. In June 1995, Rogelio graduated from John W. North High School. A month later, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

Throughout his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Rogelio received several awards and commendations. In 1997, at the age of 20, he was selected by his unit commander to represent his infantry company in the Marine Corps’ Annual Rifle Squad Competition (ARSC). At the competition’s end, his unit was recognized as the “most combat ready rifle squad in 1st Marine Division.” According to his Navy Achievement Medal citation, Rogelio’s leadership as a fire team leader was “instrumental” to his rifle squad’s first place finish. Later that same year, Rogelio was awarded the ARSC Badge by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General C.C. Krulak, at an awards ceremony held at Marine Barracks, in Washington, D.C. Looking back on his achievements, however, Rogelio remains humbled by the awesome privilege of once being in command of Americans who chose to serve their country.

After being discharged from active duty in 1999, Rogelio enrolled at Riverside Community College (RCC). At RCC, he excelled at academics and student government. Rogelio graduated in the summer of 2002 and earned the honor of being named the student commencement speaker. That summer, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2004, Rogelio graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science. Then in September 2008, Rogelio earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA.