TRUCKEE, Calif. – Rachelle Guadalupe Zarate, a student at Truckee High School, was named as a runner-up in Optimum, and co-sponsor Univision Foundation’s, Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. She was honored this week in a ceremony at Truckee High School. Rachelle was presented with an iPad and a certificate.
Rachelle was the only winner from the western United States.
Here is an excerpt from her essay – “Learning Through Family: A Latina Tradition”
While many people my age are involved in clubs, sports, or simply hang out with friends, they sometimes find it strange that I view taking care of my siblings and doing chores as a learning experience. It’s not that I don’t want to join those activities, but I’ve come to value my responsibilities at home. While they’re building teamwork or leadership, I’m developing time management, patience, and discipline in a different way. Everyone learns differently, and my lessons come from my family.
Optimum recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual student essay contest in partnership with Univision Foundation. The contest was open to middle and high school students in Optimum’s 21-state service footprint and asked students to write about how they connect to Hispanic Culture. Winners were selected in the East and West regions, in the middle and high school categories.