After many life hardships, a student reaches for and achieves high goals
Daniela learned at an early age the meaning of difficult challenges and the need to find the determination to overcome hardships. She is first generation of parents from Honduras. When she was in the 8th grade, her father was incarcerated, and her mother was forced to work two jobs, long hours, to keep the family together. Then, there were two divorces.
Daniela – First Generation scholar at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Throughout high school, Daniela took care of her little brother … helped him with his homework as her mother worked.
“I am that role model for my little brother by showing him that just because we do not have the privilege of having a mother and father in the same household, that is not going to stop us from not making our dreams come true,” Daniela says.
It was a difficult time, she says, with nothing to eat some evenings. She was on her own to take responsibility for everything at home.
When it came time for Daniela to get to Chicago for her college entrance interviews, she drove … for the first time ever … yet another challenge.
Now a First Generation scholar at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Daniela has earned a reputation as someone who reaches for and achieves high goals. A sophomore, she is earning top grades. She has a 3.5 GPA.
“I came here to work,” Daniela says. She carries 17 or 18 credit hours each semester, and when confronted with a difficult course, she visits professors each day with questions and for mentoring.
“My dream is to graduate college, attend law school and go into the field of international affairs, helping people in poorer countries.”
Category: First Generation Initiative
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Way to go Daniela. You make us proud at SMdP.
Hi Daniela! I am so proud of you!!! You have worked so hard to be where you are at, continue to work hard and it will pay off! Hope you are doing well and I miss you!
Daniela, you are amazing!
Keep up the excellent work Daniela!! We are very proud of you!!! There was never a doubt in my mind that you would be successful! Go Lady Knight!!!
You are a role-model to your peers, high school, and the community of Waukegan! I’m so proud of you! Continue to work hard!
Congratulations! It’s so great to see alumni doing an awesome job … just like we knew you would! Keep it up…you are a great example.
Wow!!! As a mother I can imagine how your mother feels. Great job.
Congratulations, Daniela
Keep making that path as you walk it.
Dani, keep up the GREAT work.. I’ve known you since elementary and just know that my family and I are proud of you. You are like a sister to me.!
Wow!!!! Congratulations Daniela, you are a graet example for your little brother,, for SMDP community and for Waukegan Community. We love you chiquita.
Daniela, we’re proud of you! Keep up the great work at St. Mary’s; you have more than what it takes!!
That is what First Initiative is all about. What a great job St. Mary’s is doing for these deserving young people.