Escrito por: Dulce Ortiz 🇬🇹
Headshot of Michelle Castro. (Diana Rivera)
At nine years-old, Michelle Castro was asked a question that would determine the trajectory of
her life: “Do you want to stay in Honduras with me [her mother] or go back to the States, live
with your sister, and do your school there?”
Castro siempre fue apasionada por su educación a través de las ideas que sus papás, maestros, y
su estatus de estudiante de primera-generación. Her parents immigrated from Honduras in 2001
and had Castro shortly after in Baltimore. Her idea of a perfect life was crushed following the
deportation of her mother and willing accompaniment of her father in 2009, where they’ve
remained since.
Ella disfruto la vida que podría tener en Honduras, rodeada por su familia y su cultura diversa,
pero decidió regresar a los EE.UU. donde supo que iba tener una mejor educación.
In the years that followed, Castro fell into a depressive period amidst the major life changes.
“I had lost my mother and father in the span of two months. And not physically lost, thankfully,
which is in itself something different, but they weren’t there to support me anymore.”
Castro found comfort in her 6th grade math teacher, a mentor she still holds dear. From middle
school to college, her mentor supported her academically, physically, and emotionally.
She received a full ride to UMD through the C.D. Mote Jr. Incentive Awards Program (IAP),
which supports students through mentorship and community involvement.
La pandemia dio un comienzo anormal a su vida universitaria con las regulaciones que habían.
Pero, por el programa IAP, pudo conocer muchas personas, incluyendo dos de sus amigos más
importantes: Diana Rivera y Maximilliano Gonzalez-Cruz.
As restrictions lifted, Castro felt lost within the unfamiliarity of UMD. En su tercer año, quiso
descubrir más sobre ella misma, su comunidad Latina, y su futuro. She joined the Maryland
Latin Dance Company (MLDC) as treasurer, and the Association of Latinx Professionals for
America (ALPFA), becoming the president her senior year.
Fue inspirada a graduarse de la administración empresarial por su mamá, después de haber visto todo lo que pudo lograr con sus propias empresas.
“At first, it was painful because I had fought so hard to get here and then to feel like I don’t
belong - this idea of imposter syndrome.” said Castro. “In joining ALPFA, I was able to be in a
room of Latinos who had proven that they were not only up to par, but even better than some of
the students in [the Smith School].
Castro says her final year was a culmination of feeling comfortable on campus, in her Latina
roots, and in the skills she could bring to the table. She emphasizes that her friends, mentors,
advisors, and family helped her get through college.
“Por ustedes y para ustedes” is the quote she will use on her graduation cap, signifying the
admiration and love she has for her community.
En el futuro, Castro quiere trabajar en consultoría o recursos humanos y sabe que todo va a salir
bien.
“Education has been very important to me. I made that choice at nine years-old and I continue to
make that choice every single day because it’s not only a choice, it’s a sacrifice.” said Castro. “I
think that now that graduation season is coming, I am finally seeing the fruits of my labor and
getting happy and excited over why I made that sacrifice.”
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