I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school when I migrated with my family from Mexico City to Phoenix. With just two years before high school graduation, I had very little time to learn English, navigate the education system, and prepare for college. My English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and school counselor knew about my undocumented status and connected me to an undocumented alumnus from my high school who had made it to the university. Through that connection and my intrinsic drive to make my parents’ sacrifices worth it, I joined the Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute (CCLI) and the Aguila Leadership Institute. Both programs taught me that college was possible for students like me and helped me apply for college and scholarships.
Balancing summer school classes to make up for missing credits and preparing for the AZELLA test to exit ESL, I worked tirelessly to meet graduation and university admission requirements. With my mom’s unwavering trust and support, I applied to more than 30 scholarships, earning eight by the end of my senior year, including a full-ride merit-based scholarship to attend Arizona State University. However, due to Proposition 300, I lost the scholarship before classes began. I was devastated at first, feeling that all my hard work was in vain. But I found hope in mentors and community leaders who were advocating for undocumented students like me.
Attending college was made possible for me thanks to the American Dream Fund scholarship I received, joining a cohort of 207 undocumented students. Meeting the other scholarship recipients made me feel that I was not alone. We shared our stories and offered each other support and encouragement. This led to the formation of a youth group that became the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition, where I served as the first secretary. Together, we advocated for the DREAM Act, fought against SB1070, and participated in campaigns that eventually led to the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
During my involvement in all these efforts, I met and fell in love with my late husband, Celso. We sang songs together at events, marches and vigils. In 2017, Celso died in a motorcycle accident. It was a tragic and sudden loss that changed my life. To honor his legacy of having the courage to pursue his dreams, I decided to pursue mine. I attended the Music program at Paradise Valley Community College and the Music Therapy program at ASU.
In 2023, I became the Cultiva program manager for Aliento, where I support teachers and social workers and bring arts and healing workshops to high school students. I share my journey with students as a way to show them that education is possible for them regardless of challenges. Through storytelling and art, I encourage them to believe in themselves and hold on to the hope of achieving the American Dream.
Receiving the American Dream Fund scholarship allowed me to become the first person in my family to graduate with a college degree. It allowed me to meet other students who were in similar circumstances and know I was not alone. It reminded me that if others were willing to invest in my education they believed in my potential, and it was important for me to do my best and pay it forward.