Who is one person that has had a positive impact on your education and how did they impact you? by Mara

Who is one person that has had a positive impact on your education and how did they impact you? by Mara - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

After taking AP Spanish, Language and Culture, my curiosity dug its seed to anchor its own roots: true fulfillment. A big part of my identity is my Bolivian culture, where the tree starts to grow. Spanish has always been one of the loves in my life – a branch has grown. I never could speak it with anyone in my town, only some family friends, until I arrived in AP Spanish class with teacher Daniela Dey– an awaiting branch now grew. In this class, I felt a sense of belonging, sparks of joy. I was the top of my class since Spanish was my first language.

I started out in a lower division of Spanish because I didn't know how to navigate the public school system. However, I was not challenged enough, so I spoke to Ms. Dey about switching to her class. My mom and I met with her virtually, sharing conversations in Spanish, and I loved her. At my old schools, I never had a teacher this caring, this organized or advanced in Spanish. I grew up with a small community of Spanish-speaking people from all over, and my mom found her best friends there–one from Spain, one from Mexico. I was like a little daughter or niece to all in this community. We’d have potlucks, dancing parties and lake days together where I could listen to reggaeton, Latin American music, without feeling weird or outcast. I remember my mom turning on the car to take me and my friend to dance class, and her loud Latin American music with Carlos Vives came on. My friends started laughing, but not laughing in a nice way, more like laughing at me and my mom. Because of this feeling, I decided to not show that part of my identity when I was younger. I would only do so with our family friends from Spanish-speaking countries. After our phone call with Ms. Dey, I felt relief, the same comfort I felt when I was with our family friends whom I grew up with. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

Ms. Dey came into class with organization and a big smile, but also a professional tone, always ready to work. We learned about different cultures, music and food. I always was excited to do the work she assigned us, the only class where I wanted to do it first before all other homework because I was excited. I never felt like this with school work in my past. When I found this light, this opening for expression, I took it and immersed myself because I wanted to expand my knowledge, encompassing all Spanish-speaking countries and their cultures. Branches. I joined Students for Indigenous Rights and Environmental Justice in Bolivia, and made a YouTube channel for a Guarayo Indigenous youth music school located in the town of Yaguaru in the Amazon. They make their own instruments, like violins, out of native trees such as mahogany. The channel is intended to give them the recognition they deserve and to raise awareness in Bolivia and around the world. In my undergraduate education, I plan to minor in Spanish or cultural studies, nurturing the growing tree with curiosity for social justice. My eventual goal is to earn my Ph.D. in psychology and open a facility to care for and to heal those who are hurting. I foresee this tree growing.