Tadia’s Speech at the Success Starts with Hope Breakfast

Good morning, thank you all for being here today! My name is Tadia, and I am a Senior at Regis Jesuit High School. It means a lot being able to speak to you all and share a bit about my life, as well as Hope Ignites of Colorado and what the community means to me.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel thankful. I got that from my mom. She is here today. She is my biggest inspiration, and honestly, I could write an entire essay about how thankful I am to have her and how much I admire her. Who knows how many pages it would be. She has taught me about gratitude and even in difficult moments, to recognize the gifts that are in my life.

There are some days that as I walk through my school’s campus and really take a minute to look around, I’m overflowed with gratitude. For the opportunity to learn, to take classes that I enjoy and ones that challenge me and for all the help that I am given through the college application process. These moments in which I think about all that I am blessed to have, I think about my parents and how as they were growing up, they were not presented with the same resources as I am. I think about their long days at work, their aching feet, and all that they do for our family.

I’ve learned to push myself, to give it my all, and to make sure I always get back up because of my parents. Everyone knows junior year is by far one of the most difficult, and there were moments last year when my dad would notice me struggling. It was in those moments that he would say “lo que cuesta, vale”. “Whatever is a struggle is worth it”. His words remind me that even through moments of difficulty, there is something I can learn. Even when I struggle with understanding something in my math or science classes, I will keep going because all of my struggle will one day be worth it.

My transition from middle school to high school was a difficult one. My middle school class had about 20 people, and we all came from similar backgrounds, both financially and culturally. The size, and people at Regis Jesuit were something completely new to me. Making friends my freshman year would have been incredibly difficult for me if it wasn’t for Hope Ignites Colorado. I have met some of my closest friends through the program. I have been supported in many ways. It brings me a warm feeling to know that I have people that welcome, support, and encourage me.

Attending Regis Jesuit was made possible for me by Hope Ignites Colorado. I am forever thankful for that day in 8th grade when I first heard of the opportunity to apply. Getting transportation to and from school, at least a 40 minute drive, would not be possible without the support I get. Similarly, I am able to get involved with the school and participate in activities that I genuinely enjoy such as Theatre and Speech and Debate without worrying about financial challenges that might have prevented me from fully participating in all that Regis Jesuit has to offer.

Not only did I feel supported with my transition into high school, but I also feel supported for my future, especially as a senior. At the end of junior year, I attended Hope Ignites Colorado college application bootcamp. I was able to begin senior year with my college essay and activities list already done! With the program, I have been able to visit universities, not only in, but also out, of the state. With “Envision U”, which is a trip specifically for Hope Ignites seniors throughout the entire country, I was able to meet many more people, learn networking skills, and feel prepared for taking next steps in the college search process. I was able to see Missouri, a state I hadn’t been to before and see the campus of Saint Louis University, as well as Washington University in St. Louis.

With Hope Ignites Colorado, I have gotten the chance to be involved with different groups through community service. I took part in House 1,000, an initiative of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and which he attended. Together, we prepared the space to house people who have struggled with homelessness, especially during severe winter conditions. In addition to this, I went to the Ronald McDonald House of Aurora, to prepare food for families needing to stay overnight because their child is at Childrens Hospital. I am very glad that I get to participate in community service with Hope Ignites Colorado.

Being able to get involved with different organizations and showing care and support to others is also what Regis Jesuit High School focuses on. With this mission I have discovered that I enjoy giving back to MY community and being someone “With and for Others”.

I’ve been motivated to apply to Jesuit universities such as Loyola University in Chicago and possibly Santa Clara University–these schools are both partners with Hope Ignites! I look forward to studying neuroscience and hope to eventually get a nursing degree. I also plan to study abroad and see different parts of the world.

These goals fill me with nothing but hope. Not only to be able to grow as a person, explore and see new places, but also to finally reach something I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl. To reach my goal of supporting others through my career. My goal of working hard. Not only for myself, but for my parents who have sacrificed everything for me, showing me a true example of love.

Thank you so much for your time, and for attending this breakfast in support of Hope Ignites Colorado!