Education rooted in strong values was a priority for my parents. As immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico who came to the United States seeking greater opportunities, they were committed to ensuring we had access to an education that aligned with their beliefs and aspirations for our future. School choice has played a powerful role in shaping who I am today, even if many of my friends and family may not fully realize it.
In elementary school, my family and I had just moved to Alabama from California and were still trying to get settled. I attended a public school where I often felt unheard and out of place. I was bullied by other students because of the ethnicity of my family, the car my family drove, and my accent. The environment didn’t support my goals or encourage my growth. Some of my teachers played favorites and often times gave punishments to the entire class, except for the same four students. At times it felt like I was just another student expected to follow a limited path, a path that didn’t reflect my potential or my dreams. My parents knew it was time for a change, but our options were limited. Moving had taken a toll on us financially; money was tight, my family was focused on paying the bills, and a private school felt completely out of reach.
Then, at just the right moment, God provided and we received information in the mail about a tax credit scholarship through the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. That opportunity made it possible for my parents to enroll me and my older brother in Conecuh Springs Christian School. I was worried that I would be bullied here like I was in my public school, but that never happened. It wasn’t just a new school; it became a place where I felt at home.
Choosing a different path through school choice gave me the opportunity to find an environment where I was truly seen, supported, and motivated to succeed. The teachers didn’t just inspire me inside the classroom; they invested in me beyond it. Even today, I remain close with many of them, and they continue to check in on me and support my journey to become a registered nurse.
They also taught me something even more important: how to advocate for myself and for others. I put that lesson into action when my cousin was being bullied and mistreated at his public school. Day after day, my aunt would tell me he was coming home with new bruises. At first, I didn’t know what I could do, but I knew I couldn’t stay silent. I went to my principal and shared what was happening. Because of that step, my cousin’s story began to change. Through a tax credit scholarship with the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, he was able to transfer to CSCS and find a safer, more supportive environment.
School choice didn’t just change my life, it gave me confidence and courage to help change someone else’s. It gave me a voice, a purpose, and a path forward. That’s why I believe every student deserves the opportunity to find a place where they are not just another number, but someone who is seen, valued, and given the chance to succeed.
Without my parents having the opportunity to choose our school, I would not be where I am today. I now attend the University of Alabama and plan to use my degree to become a nurse and an advocate for patients. I am also grateful to the AFC Fellowship for giving me the opportunity to continue strengthening my voice and advocating for school choice.
Being able to choose my education opened doors for me, guided my path, and helped me grow into the person I am still becoming. My journey reflects how having options can truly make a difference in someone’s future.
