I don’t agree that grades are more important, all the time, depending on the EC’s. I can’t tell if all the EC’s here are in-school (except the volunteering of course).
First gen doesn’t explain the drop and excuses are not helpful. But if you have an extenuating circumstance (family became homeless, you got sick, you had to work more etc.) the guidance counselor can write about it, so meet with them.
Whether you get in to these schools or not, this is not a disaster for your life. Check out Colleges that Change Lives for example for other schools to apply to, depending on affordability.