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Wendy Samayoa: I was born in Guatemala. But my parents divorced when I was a child, and my mom made the decision to come to the United States. And my father is still in Guatemala.

Stephanie Kriebel: Her mother came here a long time before she did. And it wasn't until recently that she was reunited with her mother. And so I think growing up like that must have had its challenges.

Wendy Samayoa: Almost three years ago, somebody killed my brother-in-law. And I said, I don't want peace for me. I don't want to- live afraid or- I just want to live free. And at that time, I made the decision to come to America, because I want a better future not only for me, I want a better future for my family too. My mom clean houses. So I know that I don't want that kind of job for me. I know that I need to study English.

Carlota Zuniga: She came to us in the fall semester trying to register for English a Second Language classes, ESL. And Wendy was wonderful since the beginning.

Stephanie Kriebel: She came here and had to study English as a second language and start her education all over again. So it was like starting from scratch.

Wendy Samayoa: I was frustrated that- because I think, why I should I start again, if I already have a university degree and I already have a job in my country.

Carlota Zuniga: When she finally came to me and said, I think I want to get my high school diploma. And talking to her and finding out that she's actually a teacher in Guatemala, I said, let's get your transcripts. Let's get your records. Let's see what we can do, give you credit for all the hard work that you've done.

Wendy Samayoa: I was all day here. I take ESL classes in the morning, then I have a conversation class, and then I have a high school diploma classes 3:40 to 9:00 P.M. So everybody says, where is your bedroom here because you are here all day? And I say, yeah, because I have a dream.

Carlota Zuniga: She had over 400 hours of study just in the high school diploma program alone, let alone ESL, Student Council body president. I mean, she was so involved with everything. And she's like, I just can't do my US history class. It's too difficult.

Wendy Samayoa: When I start US history, oh, my goodness, I went to drop off several times. And Carlota said, no, no, no.

Tim Doyle: She always kinda goes that extra step and does something that sort of astound you. And then she got her high school diploma here too last year, so she's kind of taken advantage of everything we had and then some.

Stephanie Kriebel: She ran for student council president and won. And so I really got to work closely with her in that capacity and watch her develop as a leader.

Carlota Zuniga: She has this way of attracting students towards her and helping them and encouraging them to continue their studies.

Ignacio Munguia: Wendy was always concerned about the situation of the other people. Your personal situation, I think, is really important for Wendy. And she tried to push everyone in the class.

Stephanie Kriebel: Wendy leads with her heart. And so she has empathy and understands the situations that students are going through naturally. And with that- with her charisma, she's able to get them to open up.

Williams Avelino: She tell me, we are friends forever. I no want cry, but this is emotional. [laughter]

Stephanie Kriebel: She makes me feel good. She inspires me. And I want- I want to see her succeed in whatever she wants to do here. You know, my hope is that she becomes an adult school teacher.

Wendy Samayoa: I like so much about the school, so I want to be at same level as teacher. You never know what you can do if you don't try. And if you have a dream, follow it.

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