“My mother immigrated to this country as a young woman, determined to find better opportunities for herself and escape the hardships of Guatemala. She was incredibly brave, and life as an immigrant has not been easy. Now it’s my turn to carry her legacy of grit and determination forward as I set off to Stanford University in the fall.”
Esmerald Mejia is a soft-spoken senior who travels an hour to Cristo Rey Boston from Waltham, Massachusetts. She credits her drive in part to watching her mom. “Knowing my mom was working hard each day to provide for my brother and me, I feel a responsibility to work hard myself,” she noted.
A parish priest at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham initially suggested Cristo Rey, knowing that a Catholic education was important to Esmeralda’s mother. Esmeralda was intrigued by the Corporate Work Study (CWS)program, thinking at the time that “it was cool” and knowing she couldn’t find a program like that locally. The fact that Cristo Rey Boston offered full-tuition scholarships was also a key factor, as tuition money was a barrier.
Esmeralda’s CWS experience at Boston Medical Center was a turning point she never saw coming. Initially set on a career in medicine, she found herself in a placement that would shape her future.
In her Junior year, as part of her rotation, she worked in BMC’s Child Witness to Violence Project, a 10-person team focused on providing free services for young children who had been exposed to domestic violence, community violence, or other trauma-related events. This experience was pivotal in Esmeralda’s journey.
She recalls, “I had been having doubts about starting to pursue a STEM-related education, not certain that my heart was really set on becoming a doctor. Being exposed to the therapeutic side of the clinic sparked a whole new interest. My supervisor noted my enthusiasm and began broadening my horizons by introducing me to clinicians, psychologists, and attorneys who were all involved in the project.”
By the end of junior year, Esmeralda had forged a new path, setting her sights on becoming a lawyer. She had gained a deeper understanding of how the law can be used to help people in need across all spectrums. Right now, she thinks she will focus on Immigration law, having seen first-hand the implications of immigration issues in her Waltham community.
As a top student at Cristo Rey Boston, Esmeralda recalls the pivotal role Ms. Rateau, the college counselor, played in her journey. Ms. Rateau not only pushed her to think deeply about pursuing an education beyond the borders of Massachusetts but also provided invaluable guidance during her college application process. Esmeralda fondly refers to Ms. Rateau as her ‘college mom’, acknowledging her instrumental role in navigating the complex world of college applications and scholarship programs, an area where her mother lacked experience.
Ms. Rateau encouraged Esmeralda to apply to be a QuestBridge Scholar, a highly selective national program that matches high-achieving students from under-resourced backgrounds to colleges nationwide. A trip funded by the Johnson Scholarship Foundation enabled a cohort of students to travel to California last summer, and it was there that Esmeralda fell in love with Stanford University. In December, she got the fantastic news that she matched as a QuestBridge Scholar with Stanford University. She will attend on a full academic scholarship!
Esmeralda reflects on what’s ahead with a mix of excitement and determination. “It will be challenging to live across the country from my family, but just like my mother forged ahead years ago for better opportunities, I am ready and capable. I look forward to being the next generation in my family, creating a new path, and setting an example for my cousins and others in my community. I am eager to start my journey at Stanford University, where I hope to continue my mother’s legacy of resilience and determination.”