The Language Chronicles: El Choro Lingüístico 💬

In high school, I once thought I'd just follow my dad's path and become a janitor. But a chat with Mme. Stahl shifted my perspective. She casually asked about my college plans, surprising me. Her disbelief at my lack of college aspirations shocked me even more. A recommendation letter she penned on my behalf changed everything. At 18, it snagged me my first scholarship and forced me to reconsider my life goals. Back then, I didn't know that as an undocumented student in the USA, I could receive support. I felt ashamed of my reality. Mme. Stahl, my French teacher, consistently inquired about my college plans. Encouraged by her, I applied for a scholarship she introduced to the class the next day, unaware of my legal status. Though I earned a full scholarship for any NC college, my undocumented status led me to a community college. In her letter, Mme. Stahl highlighted my passion for French, my willingness to assist classmates, and my weekend and vacation work for my family,

Published originally on January 8th, 2010 Hit by the acute economic crisis during Carlos Salinas de Gortari in Mexico and with the added pressure of a false accusation at his job, which those who know Mexico might sadly know that they often happen, my Dad was lured by “the American Dream.” My uncle knew that my Dad had a family of four to feed back home, so his reaction was of course to help him come to the USA. Three years passed when my Dad realized that he had to go back to Mexico only to bring us to the USA. My older brother was 14, I was 12, and my younger brothers were 7 and 6 respectively. My sister was born here . I went to middle school and high school, from which I graduated with honors. Deep down, I was convinced I was going to work in something I did not like for the rest of my life, as my father was. However, my dad had always instilled in us that we needed to get an education. He and my Mom would always set themselves as examples of people who unfortunately could not get