I take great pride in my role as a member of the Board of Directors at Mass Insight, a position I have held since 2020. My journey may resonate with immigrant students of color, particularly those hailing from backgrounds similar to mine.
At the age of two, my family immigrated to the United States from Colombia, driven by the pursuit of a better future. During my early school years, I spent a lot of time in ESL classes, which slowed down my progress and I felt left behind compared to my classmates. Given my existing struggles to keep pace with my classmates, Advanced Placement (AP) courses felt entirely out of reach for me. Witnessing, my parents juggle multiple jobs just to provide for our family was a powerful motivator for me. Their sacrifices inspired me to strive harder and persevere, knowing that they were giving up so much to ensure I had opportunities for a better life.
I decided I was not going to allow my sister to go through what I went through in ESL classes, so one day I assumed the identity of my mother during a phone conference with the school and successfully got her removed from ESL classes in elementary school. She was able to flourish academically and later in life I motivated her to enroll in AP courses in High School. She graduated from one of the best culinary schools in the country. The fact that I could help my sister fueled my commitment to champion the educational aspirations of others facing similar challenges.
I hope that by sharing my story I can inspire students who feel marginalized by the flaws in the U.S. education system. To those facing challenges in High School, I urge you not to give up. Don’t be afraid to take the AP test, enroll in AP classes! Seek mentors in your community, always believe in yourself! Never stop pursuing your dreams.
Please consider supporting my campaign to raise critical funds for Mi programs that give educators the training, support, and other resources to help Massachusetts public high school students – especially low-income and students of color – succeed in AP STEM & English classes!
Together we can create a future where every student, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, or location, has the opportunity to fulfill their academic and personal potential.
