VIDEO: San Joaquín Valley youth are a teen pregnancy success story

I met Stephanie Huerta and Angel Alvarez in June 2010, when they graduated from the rigorous Doctors Academy at Caruthers High School, in California's agricultural San Joaquín Valley.

She was ranked third in her graduating class; he was a three-sport varsity athlete; and their daugther, Emily, was three years old. The teen parents, who were engaged, intended to attend UC Santa Cruz and raise their daughter together.

At that point, I was inspired by how much the pair had overcome, and how determined they were to succeed – together – in order to provide for their daughter. Even after interviewing dozens of young women for an in-depth series on teen pregnancy last year, this couple's still story stood out to me.

So earlier this year, I reconnected with Stephanie. My co-worker, photographer Daniel Cásarez, and I visited the family in February at UC Santa Cruz, where they are now full-time students. They intend to get married once they can afford Stephanie's dream wedding, and will raise Emily – and maybe more children – together.

As we sat in their small kitchen, in their Student Family Housing apartment with a view of the Pacific Ocean, I realized that this is the teen pregnancy success story we don't hear often enough.

So – what's the secret? – I asked them. How have you two been so successful, in school and as parents, when so many other teen parents face significant challenges?

"We just love each other," Angel said. "It's as simple as that."

"We've gone through so much," Stephanie said. "One little thing just doesn't make a difference."

Read more about Stephanie, Angel and Emily in 'Baby Steps in College,' featured in this week's edition of Vida en el Valle.

Photos and video by Daniel Cásarez.