Catalina ('24)
“Since I was a little girl, I always dreamt of going to college because I saw the opportunities education opened for my family. For me, college reminded me of the importance of the vast knowledge you receive in obtaining a degree, something you may not receive anywhere else in the workforce. As I got closer to looking into college, I realized college was a lot more expensive than I had thought which was discouraging for me. When I heard about the Six-Siblings Foundation, I found myself connected to their values and views on the world. I am so glad I applied and was honored to receive the Six-Siblings Scholarship; it made me feel heard and understood by others in the community who share the same motivation for being proud of our cultural backgrounds. This scholarship gave me the reassurance I needed in my dreams of attending college and has brought me one step forward in that journey. To those who feel discouraged about college because you don’t fit under one category or label, I encourage you to not let that stop you from exploring your passions!”
Attending Colorado State University pursuing an engineering degree, Catalina is the second recipient of the Six-Siblings Scholarship as well as the inaugural mentee. Although she isn't a first-generation student like many from our community, she is no stranger to firsts. Enthralled in the STEM field, Catalina has bravely navigated unfamiliar settings being a Latina in computer science and engineering settings, holding her family values and heritage on her sleeve.
Emmy ('23)
“I had always dreamt of attending college, because in my eyes it would unlock a world of opportunity, and it did. If you asked the 5 or even 15-year-old version of myself if I ever saw myself going to school out of Colorado the answer would have been an ardent no, because the first concern that would invade my scope of possibility would be feasibility. For that reason, I am forever grateful for the Six Siblings Scholarship, because I had one less thing to worry about. Of the many unparalleled experiences college has given me, above all would be the fact that there is a world out there waiting for you to explore. Don’t let go of your dreams, even when they feel impossible, because they are the lights that illuminate your path, even in the darkness, even in the silence.”
Attending Northeastern University majoring in International Business with a dual emphasis in Accounting and Advisory Services, Emmy is the inaugural winner of the Six-Siblings Scholarship (‘22-‘23). She is a first-generation student, and a dreamer at heart. While at THS, she was integral in the organization of a Dia de los Muertos celebration and did a TED Talk regarding barriers in American education to Spanish-first bilingual learners such as herself.