I stood outside Mrs. Tyszka’s third-grade classroom surrounded by students speaking fluent English. It was my first day of school in the United States, and I could not have felt more out of place. While everyone connected with their friends, I sat in the corner in silence.
From that day on, I immersed myself in academics. I wanted to be noticed for being smart, not for being the immigrant kid no one could talk to. Eventually, I was speaking fluent English, connecting with classmates, and excelling. But in that effort, I lost part of myself: I stopped speaking Spanish, the language that had once been my source of comfort and connection.
Back then, I thought my language and heritage were issues I needed to solve. Now, I know my authentic Dominican self is one of my greatest strengths.
I was 12 when I first walked through the blue doors of my local Boys & Girls Club in St. Lucie County, Florida. There, I found a community of people who weren’t afraid to be themselves and who uplifted one another. Through programs like Keystone and Youth of the Year, I began to see myself as a leader and reflect on my experiences as an immigrant.
This led me to think back to my first years in this country, when one of my only resources was an English-to-Spanish dictionary for exams. I knew students like me deserved more support — and I realized I could help create it.
The idea seemed obvious: Teach Spanish at my Club. I combined two of my biggest passions, education and advocacy, to create a program that fosters an inclusive, multicultural community. And that’s what happened: During one of my first classes, a student raised his hand and asked me to translate a phrase. “My friend out there only really speaks Spanish, and I really want to talk to him,” he told me. “Could you help me?” In that moment, I knew everything I’d worked through so far had been worth it. I’ve now taught more than 40 students through my program, and it has reinforced my belief that every child deserves spaces where they feel comfortable being exactly who they are.
Since I was 6, my answer to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has always been the same: a teacher. My experiences as an immigrant and a Club kid have given that dream even more meaning. My Club has taught me that education can be a pathway for many, and they have set me up with opportunities to continue on this path. In high school, I represented Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County at a district school board meeting, where I received an “A Promise is A Promise” certificate guaranteeing me a teaching position in my county once I earned my certification. Today, I’m studying Elementary Education at the University of Florida.
When I think about the teacher I want to become, I think back to Mrs. Tyszka. During a time when I felt out of place, she led with empathy and open-mindedness. I want my future classroom to be a place where students feel that same support — and where inclusivity, empathy, pride, and connection thrive.
Now, as the 2026-2027 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year, I’m grateful to have earned a $50,000 scholarship for my education and a $25,000 retirement contribution from Raymond James. But I’m even more grateful for the community that helped me embrace who I am.
If 8-year-old Enrique were standing in front of me today, I would tell him that his identity is something to hold onto, not hide. So, to any young person who has ever felt pressure to hide part of themselves: Embrace who you are. Your identity can become a source of connection, opportunity, and pride — not only for you, but for the people whose lives you may one day change.