As the student currently holding the valedictorian spot of
the inaugural STEM Early College High School graduation class of 2018,
Esmeralda Castillo has many things to look forward to during the school year.
One of them is her invitation to attend the StriveTogether National Education
Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. on Oct. 3 – 5.
A national, nonprofit network of more than 70 community
partnerships, StriveTogether helps communities identify what works in education
to ensure that every child succeeds from cradle to career, regardless of race,
income or zip code.
As an outstanding student within the Harlandale ISD and Palo
Alto College, Esmeralda was selected by San Antonio Youth Commission Manager
Fatema Basrai to participate in the conference. Together, they will present the
best practices for student engagement to a panel of education leaders from
around the country.
“Since Esme has been so involved in a variety of clubs, she
has great insight into what student engagement looks like,” Basrai said. “She
is very well-spoken and has great ideas.”
Basrai and Esmeralda will be representing the P16Plus
Council of Greater Bexar County, the San Antonio Youth Commission (SAYC) and
the City of San Antonio at the conference – an opportunity Esmeralda does not
take for granted.
“I’m excited! I think it’s important to give students and
parents a voice. Students can make a difference by being involved in the
community and knowing what’s going on in their city,” Esmeralda said. “We’re
hoping that by leading a workshop to groups of teachers and community leaders,
we can help them understand the importance of student voice and help them get
their students involved.”
As a member of SAYC, Esmeralda works with other students
to provide input on how to make San Antonio a better city.
“I love helping
people and problem solving,” Esmeralda said. “This is the only activity outside
of school that I put all of my attention into because it’s really impactful and
it really does make a difference.”
Now a senior at STEM Early College HS, Esmeralda feels lucky
to have been a part of the first graduating class and earning her associate’s
degree in engineering from Palo Alto College.
“Everyone here is a part of something special,” she said.
“STEM is a brand-new school and to be able to have had so many amazing opportunities
through the school, and hopefully remain valedictorian till the end, is very
exciting.”
After graduation, Esmeralda hopes to earn a bachelor’s
degree in business administration at Notre Dame University.
“I want to work with STEM companies using my background and
love for engineering and focus on the business component of it,” Esmeralda
concluded.
Congratulations, Esmeralda!