Hello, my name is Jazmin Morel. I just graduated from high school. I come from South America, from the beautiful country of Paraguay. Since I was a young girl, I have always loved to help and serve others. I believe that service is the key foundation of a happy life. I had always looked for opportunities to do the right thing and help others. By showing kindness and love toward others not only can we change their lives but also ours. Because the key to happiness lies in how we treat others. This year, I had the opportunity to join Latinos in Action. This experience has changed my life in so many ways. In Latinos in Action, we go to an elementary school to tutor kids. At first, I didn’t know any of these kids I didn’t think that my help would have an impact on them. Until I noticed the changes that started to occur. Each time we went to the elementary school the kids started to learn faster to read and write. The kids started to become friendly as we spent time with them helping them. Soon they started to ask us to play with them during recess. I noticed the positive impact that I made in my community when I helped kids learn how to read and write. Seeing the smiles of the kids melted my heart. I was so happy teaching them and helping them in their academic careers. Tutoring kids has taught me the importance of how having a good mentor can impact kids' lives. Through love and patience, I was able to help kids learn new things while also learning myself. I was able to gain patience and understanding while working with the kids. I think that helping younger generations learn new things can have a great impact on the future because our future depends on them and what we teach them. Latinos in Action is an amazing program that has a great impact on kids. I’m so happy I was able to be part of this community and help little kids learn. Because this shows that even the smallest actions can have a huge impact on the lives of others. Sometimes we think that something small won’t have an impact on the lives of others but this isn’t true. I was able to learn this through helping little kids learn how to write and read. We should always strive to help others even if it’s a small act because maybe this would change the life of someone. I think that showing love and kindness is important to have a happy positive community.

My story begins in a far-off land, a place of immense beauty and kindness Paraguay. I was born in a land of blue skies and wildlife, where the sun shone bright all year round. But life wasn't always sunshine, it was tough. My family was poor, and we often struggled to obtain our basic needs. Circumstances beyond our control forced us to leave everything behind and make a new beginning in the United States. It was a new start where there were endless possibilities for a better future. As a young girl I observed how my parents did whatever they could to provide for me and my brother. Al-thought we had more privileges here my father still had to do the tough work. And thats when a spark in me emerged, the doors to a better future were right in front of my eyes. I knew that i had to take matters into my own hands, in order to help my struggling family. I realized the importance of a higher education and how I can change my life and the lives of others. I wasn't just a little girl anymore, i was a dreamer. Dreaming of new opportunities and possibilities. If I study hard enough one day i was going to be able obtain a college education. Which in return would help me give my parents a better life. That's where my journey began. Although the language barrier was a struggle at first I quickly mastered a new language. I remember coming from school everyday with a book, trying to read although I didn't understand a single word. I sat there for hours trying to spell out and pronunciation words. After six months of hard work I was able to speak English. I was so proud of my self for achieving my goal. i remember the face of joy that my parents had when they heard me speak English for the first time. This just encourage me to work harder. Year passed and i was my first year of highschool. It was the year of COVID, which made me really nervous. I was scared that my classes would be too hard, and I was going to do something wrong. But i was able to live through this circumstance, which help become a stronger person. It feels like it was yesterday, my first year of high school. Yet I'm a senior now, on my way to graduation. If I'm to be awarded with this scholarship it would be a great opportunity for me to make a difference. I'm going to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse and helping my community. I’m also going to help others undocumented immigrants understand that it’s possible for us to be someone in life. All it takes is hard work and dedication for dreams to become true. If I were to be awarded with this scholarship I’ll work and be a responsible student. This will help strengthen my school campus and community. I chose to embrace the power of education and use it to better my life and the lives of those around me. “ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”( by Eleanor Roosevelt).

Over the years there have been many obstacles in my life. But one of the obstacles that has defined my journey has been moving to the United States. I'm from a small country in South America named Paraguay. It's a beautiful place surrounded by wildlife and fauna. When I was around the age of nine, me and my family left our home. My parents were pursuing a better life for me and my brother. One of my biggest dreams was to get a higher education. I knew that this was the key to a better future. It was very difficult for me to get accustomed to a foreign culture. But I knew that if I wanted to be someone in life I had to overcome this obstacle. Every day after school I remember grabbing a book and trying to read. Although a l didn't understand a word. This helping learned a new language and discovered the importance of learning. Because thanks to learning I was able to open doors that otherwise I wouldn't be able to. I continued working hard for someday to attend college. I knew that my parents wouldn't be able to afford for me to go to college. Which made me work harder, This has truly shaped my life since that day. Because I realized the importance of learning. At a young age, I understood the importance of learning. And how I could pursue a higher education and help my family. One of my biggest goals is to attend college and pursue a career in pediatric nursing. But I know it will be an arduous journey. Immigrating to a new country has contributed towards my goals and dreams, by providing me with an opportunity to get a higher education. Because I knew that in my country of birth, I was never going to achieve this dream. But now I have an opportunity to pursue this dream. And I know if continue working hard the way I had worked I'll be able to achieve this dream. I believe that this obstacle has truly shaped the person I am today. Because thanks to this I was able to learn about hard work and dedication. That every dream in life is possible if you work hard enough and believe in yourself. There will always continue to be adversity in this path of higher education, yet I have learned from the past that everything can be overcome.