Rafaela in Aldie, VA

Hello, my name is Rafaela, and I’m first. As my high school career ended, I realized how much I had accomplished—being a child of immigrants. Immigrating from Colombia to the United States, my parents gave me more significant opportunities for my sister and me. They sacrificed their jobs, friends, family, and all that was familiar. With all the sacrifices they made, I knew that going to university was something I needed to accomplish early on. Receiving my admission letter made my dream of attending a university a reality and made my younger self proud. If I could advise other firsts, I would say don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of being the first. Being the first, we know firsthand how hardworking we are. With the mindset of being fearless, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to, setting an example for our future generations that anything is possible.