Schools
Teen From Mexico Overcomes Language Barrier To Achieve Excellence
Born in the Mexican State of Jalisco, Cynthia Contreras Barajas grew up speaking Spanish and is now an elite achiever at Lakeland Village School.
Lake Elsinore resident Cynthia Contreras Barajas, 15, won't allow language barriers to stand in the way of elite academic achievement.
Instead, this shy, respectful, Lakeland Village eighth-grader chooses a path that sets her apart.
Born in the Mexican State of Jalisco, Cynthia grew up speaking Spanish. After migrating to California four years ago, she yearned to comprehend English and accomplish high academic status.
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Two Lakeland Village School teachers detail a transition overcome through diligence.
“Initially, accomplishments were supported through English Language Learning classes,” said Science Teacher Heather Hatch.
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Cynthia continued to aim high, going beyond the average expectation.
“She diligently works through assignments that not only cause her great difficulty just to interpret, but (she) also addresses complex topics such as genetics and chemistry,” Hatch explained.
“Cynthia has stayed the course without sacrificing herself and her high values,” Hatch added. “She neither gives in to a defeatist attitude nor does she do ‘whatever’ to succeed.”
Cynthia worked hard from the start.
“First semester my GPA was 4.2,” she said.
This high grade point average has earned her a place in the elite Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.
“Last year Cynthia not only met the qualifications of reclassification, she also earned Student of the Year and a Presidential Award,” said Cinday Whritenour, an English Language Learner teacher and AVID program administrator.
Even with her high grades, Cynthia independently attends tutoring on Tuesday and Thursdays.
“During tutorials, she has become a strong leader who is not afraid to ask for help or seek clarification,” Whritenour shared. “Cynthia is a hard working student who will excel in any career she chooses. She is a shining example of what a true AVID student should be.”
Besides academics Cynthia enjoys everyday teenager activities, such as babysitting her cousins and playing soccer with Elsinore Extreme.
She expressed pride in how she was recruited by Coach Francisco Jimenez after he saw her playing soccer with friends in the park, a testament to her tenacious desire to seek out opportunities and aspire to greatness.
“He asked me if I would be interested in playing with them,” she beamed.
