Dear Ms. Gregory,
It has been a few years since the last time we saw each other, shared a conversation, some advice or just a story from our lives. I still can’t thank you enough for the impact you have had on my life. More than once, I am in class taking notes and a memory of our adventure to Western Kentucky University comes into mind. I remember driving with you on a day we had off, taking time out of your schedule for us to go tour the university and clarify any questions I had. We arrived and went to a meeting with the admission coordinator because you knew how lost I felt and I wanted to know how much college was going to cost. You took the time to schedule the meeting and went with me. When they asked us why we were there, you explained that you were my teacher and wanted to show me college. You sounded so proud. That day you told me that you saw something in me and that I was capable of many things because I had potential.
You were my U.S government teacher, the class no one expected an immigrant to pass with good grades. And you still made it possible for me to get an award in your class; from all your students, you chose the one who was not from the United States. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I am so grateful that you offered your help right after explaining to me a concept about your class. I am happy my curiosity inspired you to mentor me and I am glad I agreed to your mentorship. You were more than just my teacher. You took the time and effort to make sure the English Language Development (ELD) students were understanding, to show us what a citizen test looks like, encouraging us to do well in the civics test because that is what it takes to be ready for the test that could give us a permanent home here.
“When I met Sofia in my government class this year, I immediately noticed that she was engaged with the material and asked excellent questions. Additionally, I noticed her interactions with her classmates. Sofia is fluent in both English and Spanish, and there were four Hispanic students in class who sat around her. I soon realized that every time they did not understand a course concept, they would ask her in Spanish, and if she did not understand or could not sufficiently explain it, she would ask me questions and help with translation. Soon, this became my favorite corner of the classroom as I saw these new immigrants attempting to interact with classmates and learn about their new country.” – Excerpt from Kim A. Gregory’s recommendation letter for Sofia Zarraga in 2023
Ms. Gregory, you were extraordinary and because of your passion, my dream came true. You saw an immigrant who’d been in the United States for a year, with enough English to translate for all the ELD students. You saw a girl with big dreams, potential and not enough opportunities to achieve them because of her immigration status. I was just a girl, new in the country, with no knowledge of how to go to college in the United States. I was living in another language, waiting for an opportunity to happen. You were my opportunity and spark for my dreams to come true.
You changed my life with all those Thursday afternoons that you stayed with me. I loved our afternoons, the interesting questions I asked you because I was curious about who you were and how you got there. Asking about your ice maker, your pens, your kids, and your story are treasured memories I keep with me. But my favorite and most important thing was the day we were revising my college essay. You were in front of the computer and I was at a desk, and you were reading the last paragraph of my essay. You asked me to clarify a line: “I want to help others like me that went through immigration get adjusted here, to be better and to find their purpose.” You helped me refine my essay to say:
“I want to be the one who shows that light that I saw to other kids like me—to be able to help them overcome all their fears and traumas and help them have a path and a future in this country and see them become amazing professionals and people who can help others is my dream.” – Sofia Zarraga College Essay
It became my passion, I want to be light and help others find their light, just like you helped me write many years ago. You guided me to find the words for my passion and describe exactly what I want to become, in English, in my second language.
At last, I got my acceptance letters and made my decision to go to college at Lipscomb University. I felt your excitement for my future, for the person I would become. I made a promise that the day I graduate from college, you will be in the room again when I receive my diploma. Thank you for the opportunity, advice, vision, trust, encouragement, Chick-fil-A, and all the moments treasured in my heart.
I can’t wait to see you in December for my graduation.
Eternally grateful,
Sofia Zarraga
