In three months Astrid will be graduating from the prestigious Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y. This has been an incredibly long journey with many obstacles along the way. First, attending public kindergarten in the often neglected side of her home village in Flores, Honduras. Classes were overcrowded, supplies were extremely limited and teachers were often on strike because the government didn’t pay them.

Astrid’s first big break began when she enrolled in a bilingual school in the former capital of Comayagua, thanks to the financial generosity of Charlie and Nancy Morrison. Although Astrid had to repeat her kindergarten year (which she has never forgiven me for) to enroll. The girl from the dangerous barrio was soon competing with her classmates who lived in the city with parents of prestigious positions. It took immense dedication from Astrid, and her mother Angelina, to travel by bus or taxi an hour each way, find the necessary materials and a place to print her homework in her small village where electricity is often unavailable. Astrid was at the top of her class and the most resilient child I have met.

After completing sixth grade at Marantha Adventist Bilingual School, Astrid applied to Fay School in Southborough, MA. She was fortunate to be introduced to Ms. Susan Mantilla-Goin, who at the time was the Associate Director of Admission and Director of Financial Aid. She realized both the gifts Astrid had to offer and the financial barrier that would make it unattainable. Through Susan’s advocacy, Astrid was offered a very large amount of financial aid; one that had never been given to another international student. Knowing Astrid’s limited family income, she feared it wasn’t enough. Once again, the Morrisons jumped in and offered to pay the remaining balance. We thought everything was in place until Astrid was denied three times by the U.S. Embassy to obtain a student visa. Thankfully through the efforts of many friends, we were introduced to representatives from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey and Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s offices. Never before had they written a joint letter of support for a student to receive a visa; fortunately it was approved.

Astrid finished ninth grade at Fay and then it was time to apply for high school. She had a list of a dozen schools to visit. Astrid had the good fortune of interviewing with Katie Myer, Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Emma Willard School, and she immediately identified Astrid’s strengths and the contributions she’d bring to the community. She believed in her so much that she nominated her for the Davis International Scholarship which promotes world leadership and provides $25,000/year in high school and college. The Morrisons never wavered in their support and soon EW became Asrid’s new home. She absolutely thrived and matured immensely in this all-girls school community with incredibly motivated teachers who help them discover their voices and passions.

And now the college applications are in and Astrid’s beginning to receive responses. My biggest hope is that there will be people in admissions like Susan and Katie who were insightful and believed that she was not simply qualified, she would be an impactful and integral part of the school community. Astrid will never forget where she came from and is dedicated to making a positive impact in her village and globally.