She´s currently a junior at William and Mary College. Her major is in International Relationships, She came to Guatemala for the first time in March of 2008 on a service experience with Habitat for Humanity, on this trip the kids in a small village on the outskirts of Jutiapa brought her to the school they attended. The school had 3 classrooms for grades kinder to sixth, broken doors and windows, and was clearly starving for resources. When she returned back to the states, could not forget about the conditions and she had witnessed. She joined a group called Students Helping Honduras and has since had the opportunity to travel to Honduras and work with children several times. She could not, however, forget her first trip to Guatemala and her love for the culture and people. For this reason when she was given the opportunity for a research grant, she immediately knew she wanted to learn more about education in Guatemala. Her experience with Colegio Mesoamericano Patzicia has without doubt been one of her best experiences she has had. Not only have she has been able to delve into the topic of indigenous education and improve her Spanish skills, but she has had the opportunity to meet some of the most genuine and amazing people both at the school and within the community, she has gained a great understanding of Guatemalan culture and hope to someday have the opportunity to return.
(Click on photo to see close up)
