A young Bronx woman, originally from the Dominican Republic, graduated from Bronx Community College as valedictorian.

Kirssy Martinez, who immigrated to the Bronx 14 years ago, says that she never thought she would go to college, but thanks to the Dream US scholarship program she was able to become the first college graduate in her family.

The multimillion-dollar National Scholarship Fund for DREAMers was created to help provide a low-cost, high-quality college education to undocumented students.

Officials say that Martinez is the first Dream scholarship recipient in the history of the City of University of New York to graduate as valedictorian.

"Never give up, you have the strength within you," says Martinez. "Just continue to work hard and your dreams will come true."