"My dad used to tell me stories about his struggles to get an education in Mexico, like having to walk long distances in shoes that were not made for such long walks. He wasn’t even able to finish middle school. Those stories made me appreciate the opportunities I had here as I was growing up. He always reminded me how privileged I was to have a school five minutes away, with a car to take us there. I've had it so easy compared with him.
"I didn't think I would have the opportunity to go to college after I graduated. I thought, ‘I’ll finish high school, get a job, and that will be my life.’ But then DACA was passed, which opened up the possibility. My parents didn’t know much English and couldn’t help with the college application process, so I had to navigate my own way, rely on myself, and dig deep to make my own opportunities. I think that experience made me a stronger person and that I’ll be able to help my own children someday when they are ready for college. I feel like I’m living my American dream now. I’m about to be a junior at CBU, majoring in Early Childhood, and I’m working at a bilingual preschool at the same time. I love everything about my job: the smiles, the cries, the laughter, the silliness of the kids, spending time with them, and getting to see how they grow through the things that I teach them. Education is just amazing."
"I didn't think I would have the opportunity to go to college after I graduated. I thought, ‘I’ll finish high school, get a job, and that will be my life.’ But then DACA was passed, which opened up the possibility. My parents didn’t know much English and couldn’t help with the college application process, so I had to navigate my own way, rely on myself, and dig deep to make my own opportunities. I think that experience made me a stronger person and that I’ll be able to help my own children someday when they are ready for college. I feel like I’m living my American dream now. I’m about to be a junior at CBU, majoring in Early Childhood, and I’m working at a bilingual preschool at the same time. I love everything about my job: the smiles, the cries, the laughter, the silliness of the kids, spending time with them, and getting to see how they grow through the things that I teach them. Education is just amazing."