Past its peak, the sun slowly descends, signaling the end of school and a reprieve from the classroom. Students begin disappearing, a unified body fleeing towards freedom – but a few remain. One girl sits in the library, pushing her dark hair aside as she reads over some papers. Others sit nearby, but she stands apart. It isn’t the lighting or how she smiles while guiding a student through their work. No, it’s the sense of community around her. The feeling that she isn’t just another face passing by. That Jennifer Altamirano Sosa is making a difference.
Having devoted many hours to tutoring over the years, Jennifer has repeatedly been commended for her commitment to academics. Such praise isn’t given readily though, and Jennifer has surpassed all expectations to earn it. Though the pandemic posed a “unique set of challenges,” as she recalls, Jennifer still persevered and grew from it. She also faced the added responsibility of employment then, but that didn’t stop her from reaching her dreams. Jennifer is the “perfect example of dedication and determination,” as Nayeli Maschio, Student Success Coordinator, says. And as a soon-to-be first-generation college student, her resilience and hard work have really paid off.
But something she never needed to work for was finding motivation to give back. Jennifer has “always been passionate about learning and helping others,” as she tells us. “Becoming a tutor allowed me to use my knowledge to assist others in reaching their academic goals . . . Seeing the progress and growth of students has been incredibly rewarding, and has reinforced my commitment to both my own academic success and to supporting others in achieving theirs.”
In fulfilling her academic goals, Jennifer has far exceeded them and left an imprint on witnesses to her growth. “She was one of the few who asked for feedback in order to improve – not for a grade boost, but to really understand how to better herself,” Anahita Ghajarrahimi, Jennifer’s English 3 teacher, says. “Jennifer is an example for a model student any teacher would be lucky to have. She cares about her education, knows its value, and how it will help her succeed in life.”
Despite being dedicated to learning, Jennifer still leaves time for friends and family. She is “hardworking, compassionate, empathetic, and funny,” as Tania Leon Amarillas, a friend of Jennifer’s, describes. “She is an amazing student, friend, daughter, and one of the best people you will ever meet.”
Working tirelessly to balance those titles and get to where she is now, Jennifer has a clear vision for her future. “After high school, I plan to get a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. As a registered nurse, I want to provide high-quality care to medically underserved populations and advance my career into an administrative position.” Continuing to aid others, Jennifer’s altruism won’t stop at tutoring, but will help an even broader range of people. Jennifer “will truly use her academic talents to give back to the community through a career in nursing,” Allison James Ross, her AP Biology teacher, declares. And Ms. Maschio “can’t wait to see all of Jennifer’s wonderful accomplishments in the near future.”
Jennifer knows that getting to where she is now isn’t easy though. But she has proved it’s possible. “High school can be a challenging time, but remember that every obstacle you face is an opportunity to grow and develop as a person. Embrace the challenges, stay focused on your goals, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”