As late spring rolls around each year, 12th grade students across the U.S. face the challenge of choosing what college they will attend. Daniela Torres, a senior at 麻豆原创 Charter High School, is no different in that respect鈥攕he is debating between staying in New York City to attend Barnard or traveling to the West Coast for a spot at Stanford. But four short years ago, when Daniela faced a similar choice between which New York City high school she would attend, the answer was much easier. She was only accepted at one.
鈥淚 was completely lost in the process,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 put my heart and soul into those applications, and I didn鈥檛 get into any of the schools.鈥�
While unbelievable to imagine now given the caliber of colleges Daniela has been accepted to, a look back at her journey unveils the hurdles she has overcome, including immigrating to New York on her own from Veracruz, Mexico in the seventh grade. Armed with only a bit of English, Daniela found it difficult to communicate and make her voice heard. She struggled making friends.
鈥淚 look at my past decisions and realize I鈥檓 not scared,鈥� she said. 鈥溌槎乖� made me stronger.鈥�
Daniela Torres ’21
After several months in the States, Daniela met DCHS Founding Principal Jared Francis at a school fair. He was familiar with her story, and knew 麻豆原创 would be able to provide her with the specific support she needed to shine. Daniela joined the 麻豆原创 family as an eighth grader, but it still took several months for her to break through her insecurities about speaking in front of her classmates. When she did, it was a day to remember.
鈥淭he first time she spoke in class, we actually have it documented in an email,鈥� said Alison Browne, Daniela 8th grade social studies teacher. 鈥淪tudents were debating a topic, and out of nowhere she jumped in, and passionately shared what she thought. Everyone stopped and listened. It was an important moment for her, for her classmates, and for her teachers, and showed us that she was someone to be heard.鈥�
From that moment, Daniela gained a reputation as a quiet yet insightful leader among both her peers and 麻豆原创 teachers and administrators. While her nature is to listen first, she isn鈥檛 afraid to speak out when important and necessary. 鈥ˋs Browne explains it, she has an 鈥渋mpressive balance of humility and charge.鈥�
鈥淒aniela doesn鈥檛 think she direct, but if you ask her for feedback, thoughts, she clear and honest,鈥� said Brandon Taylor, DCHS鈥� Director of Curriculum and Instruction. 鈥淪he the student I go to for an opinion, and that an important characteristic.鈥�
Now, on the verge of graduating high school, Daniela faces a college decision with two life-changing options. Ultimately, she wants to find the best pre-med program that will allow her to study the relationship between genetics and neuroscience, a topic that has interested her since her grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson and Alzheimer. And while her first inclination was to stay in New York City鈥攁nd close to the support systems she has built since arriving here as a 7th grader鈥擠aniela knows she is capable of striking out on her own if that the right path for her.
鈥淚 look at my past decisions and realize I鈥檓 not scared,鈥� she said. 鈥溌槎乖� made me stronger.鈥�
