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How This Latino Teen's Awful Encounter With His Dentist Inspired Thousands

 Guillermo Pomarillo strikes a pose at Stanford University, where he'll start college in the fall.
Guillermo Pomarillo strikes a pose at Stanford University, where he'll start college in the fall.
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LITTLE VILLAGE — Guillermo Camarillo Jr. never expected his Facebook post about a trip to the dentist to go viral.

But within days, the Little Village native received hundreds of messages of support and even an internship offer or two, as his open letter about a "frustrating" and "belittling" experience was shared by thousands.

The teen said he went in for a routine cleaning Monday only to have his dentist grill him about his ACT score and explain that it was "easier" for minority students from low-income neighborhoods to get into top-ranked universities. The dentist called Camarillo "lucky," the teen said, and likened his admission to Stanford University to competing on "The Voice."

"I was like, 'Wait, what?'" Camarillo said. "This guy had his hands in my mouth, and I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to make him mad. ... It sucked. It just sucked."

Camarillo, who has a Facebook account under the name Guillermo Pomarillo, will be the first person in his family to attend college when he begins classes at Stanford University next month on a full scholarship.

The teen grew up poor, raised by two undocumented immigrants who only spoke Spanish. He said he transferred schools a number of times, and took 11 AP courses when he attended George Westinghouse College Prep. Camarillo worked hard, he said, and felt "belittled" when his dentist called his path in life easy.

So, Camarillo took to Facebook — venting his frustrations.

"You looked at me perplexed. I nonchalantly said 'I'm going to Stanford'. Your initial reaction was surprised. But, were you surprised because you had a Stanford student on your chair or because you had a minority, low-income student, that needed government help to get braces, and would be attending Stanford on your chair? I believe it was the latter."

The post took off within hours.

"A lot of people sympathized with me," Camarillo said, "or told me they've gone through what I did. ... In a way, it's a relief because it shows me I'm not the only one experiencing this."

Camarillo said he often gets stopped while wearing Stanford gear by people who say they're surprised when he tells them he'll be attending the university, ranked one of the top 10 in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

Strangers often point out how expensive the school is, Camarillo said, or mention Brock Turner, the Stanford swimmer convicted of rape.

"I just don't know how to respond," Camarillo said. "What happened there was really tragic, but at the same time, you're downplaying my accomplishments. You're downplaying how hard it was to get in there."

He continued: "I have to reassure myself that I'm going to the school I was admitted to."

Camarillo refused to name his dentist, saying he doesn't want people to attack the man's business. As such, the dentist could not be reached for comment or confirmation.

"I didn't want to put his practice in jeopardy," Camarillo said.

What my dentist said to me, "is not something that only one person will do. It's something a lot of people tend to do. I tried to focus on how I feel and how thousands of students feel. Hopefully, that will effect change."

By writing about his experience on Facebook, Camarillo said he hopes to "make people think twice before they speak, to make people think about what they say."

Camarillo said he's received an outpouring of support from Stanford alumni and students — many offering congratulations and help if needs it.

That'll make moving to California next month easier, Camarillo said, especially since his father in November was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and might be deported.

Guillermo Camarillo Sr.'s next court date will be in January, Camarillo Jr. said. Until then, the family's future hangs in the balance.

"My parents can't travel to California," Camarillo Jr. said. "And traditionally you have your parents there with you for orientation. I don't think my parents will get to see campus at all. Hopefully, things will work out for us. I have a lot of faith."

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