Since 2023, the Conoce tus Opciones Escolares (CTOE) team has been selecting talented students and recent graduates each year to join our student ambassador program. This program is designed to provide ambassadors with leadership development and opportunities to engage with their communities. These ambassadors serve as on-the-ground advocates, connecting directly with students and their families to share information about school choice options.
From gaining hands-on experience to finding mentors and growing professional development, ambassadors gain valuable skills and insights in helping their communities, allowing them to support families in navigating their educational options and sets them on a path towards success in their own educational and professional endeavors.
Take a look below at some of the highlights from last years cohort, where they had the opportunity to attend networking and mentorship events held by NSCAF.
I was born in Venezuela, and when I was eight years old, my family immigrated to the United States in search of a better future. Now, living in Florida, education has always been the foundational pillar of my life, and my parents encouraged me to excel in school and strive for success.
Making a difference in the community means ensuring that all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, have access to the education they need without facing unnecessary barriers.
As a person of Hispanic origin, I believe it is essential that all Hispanic children have the opportunity to pursue an education and reach their full potential.
My long-term goals include obtaining a college degree and securing a stable career so that I can provide for my family and continue to build the future that my parents worked so hard to provide.
I am 18 years old and a freshman at Jackson College in Michigan. Beginning my ninth year as an international student in the U.S., I was born in Puebla, Mexico, into a family with strong ties to the medical profession. I have been inspired to continue that legacy. In addition, my four years in the marching band have sparked my passion for traveling and meeting new people, which drives my long-term goals of having a broader impact.
Positively contributing to the community helps me grow and develop as an individual, enhancing my educational and mental abilities. It allows me to give back in gratitude for the support I’ve received in my own journey.
It’s a privilege to assist individuals facing challenges similar to those I once encountered while also addressing new difficulties that I have yet to experience.
As a Hispanic student living in Georgia, I am actively contributing to my community through my role as the Vice President of Education for Hope, a club dedicated to promoting education and providing valuable opportunities for community service and leadership. Additionally, I founded the ELite Honor Society, a supportive space for students whose second language is English, helping them grow and discover new opportunities. I also created the “News in Spanish” program at Dunwoody High School to enhance communication and engagement within our community.
Originally from Colombia, I have been in the U.S. for almost two years, embracing the challenges that come with being a Latina woman.
Education has been crucial in my life, as it is essential for growth and expanding one’s horizons.
Currently, I am a senior with several goals for this year, including obtaining my driver’s license, securing scholarships, and getting my casualty and property license. I also look forward to traveling to NYC with the Finance Academy and hope to attend Georgia Tech, UGA, or Emory University in the future.
I am a senior student-athlete at Westwood High School in Arizona, and I am deeply committed to making a difference in the Hispanic community. For me, this means honoring the sacrifices of my ancestors, who worked tirelessly to provide a better life for future generations. I believe in overcoming language barriers and societal struggles, advocating for Hispanic inclusion, and striving for excellence in all areas of life.
Education has played a crucial role in shaping my aspirations and values. It has taught me the importance of hard work and self-discovery, guiding me toward my passion for helping others.
I am passionate about pursuing a career in dermatology or therapy, driven by a desire to make my parents proud and positively impact my family’s life. While I am still exploring my career path, I have found joy and fulfillment in the subjects that resonate with me most.
My goal is to continue my education and develop the skills necessary to achieve my dreams.
If I could describe myself in one word, it would be “hopeful.” I am full of hope as I pursue my dream of becoming an educator, passionate about inspiring young minds and giving back to my parents for all their sacrifices that allowed me to chase the American dream. I am sixteen years old, and I live in New Jersey. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and I take great pride in my country and culture.
I enjoy being actively involved in school activities, serving as the Senior Class and Thespian Honor Society president, and more. My goal is to return to my community and make a lasting impact through education.
Making a difference in the Hispanic community means a lot to me. It’s about breaking the stereotypes we’ve been taught from a young age, overcoming language barriers, and showcasing the creativity and intelligence of Latinos.
I believe in the power of supporting one another, persevering through challenges, and celebrating our roots, no matter where life takes us.
Born and raised in California, I spent the first 15 years of my life surrounded by a vibrant Hispanic community. After the untimely passing of my mother, my family moved across the country to South Carolina to live with my father’s parents. Throughout these challenges, education has been a crucial anchor in my life. In high school, I became involved in a youth coalition, eventually serving as president, where I worked to promote positive teen health.
Now, as an intern with LCAHY, I continue that work, focusing on promoting teen well-being and preventing the misuse of prescription drugs. Making a difference in the Hispanic community is very important to me. It’s about changing perceptions—both within and outside our community by showing the richness of our heritage and helping young Hispanic kids embrace their culture with pride.
My aspiration is to continue advocating for and uplifting my community, revealing to the world that we possess a depth and strength that should never be underestimated.
I am a proud bilingual senior from Virginia, deeply passionate about education and advocacy for the Hispanic community. Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic area, I witnessed first-hand the need for translation services and increased educational resources. This inspired me to make a difference by leading my school’s Latino Association, where I work to uplift the Hispanic community and improve access to education.
As an International Baccalaureate student, I have made the value of cultural education my own, using this platform to support and guide other Latino students toward academic success.
Having access to educational opportunities has been especially important to me, as it allows me to achieve what my parents could not.
My goal is to pursue a degree in political science and ultimately become an immigration attorney so that I can continue to fight for equality and the creation of opportunities for Hispanic immigrants.
Watching my mother embrace her roots and overcome the challenges of living in the United States has inspired me deeply. Her strength drives me to give back to my community in California and help create something even stronger.
I am a senior in high school and am dual enrolled in college, where I am working towards an AA in Child Development. My ultimate goal is to become a paramedic.
I believe there are no limits to success, regardless of where you come from or what others think. I am determined to continue pushing boundaries and making a positive impact.
I believe it is crucial to make a difference in the Hispanic community by empowering people to tap into their potential, preserve their culture and overcome barriers. As a first-generation Costa Rican immigrant, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new country and how vital it is to provide education and resources to young immigrants.
I believe in preserving our cultural heritage through representation and celebrating our identity while also advocating for justice and fighting stereotypes. Ultimately, it’s about fostering unity and lifting each other up to succeed together.
I grew up in New Jersey, and learning English was one of my biggest challenges, but it was also one of my greatest achievements. Education has shaped how I see the world and helped me overcome adversity through dance, leadership, and community engagement.
My goal for the future is to give back by ensuring others in my community have access to the same opportunities. Education transformed my life, and I am dedicated to using it as a tool to empower others to thrive and make their own impact.
I live in Florida, and I am a preschool teacher and assistant director. I am passionate about supporting low-income Hispanic families, many of whom have little or no formal education. I witness how families in my community seek support in Spanish, and I am dedicated to providing them with the assistance they need. That is why I am eager to be a part of School Choice, an organization committed to helping families access educational resources so they can make the best choices for their children.
I believe in the great power of education to shape the lives of young people, as studies have been a crucial part of my education.
At our center, we focus on providing excellent developmental care in a loving and nurturing environment, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive. In the future I want to continue to advocate for these families and expand access to quality education for all children.
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Alissa Jacques serves as manager of digital communications at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF). In this role, Alissa oversees the organization’s English-language social media presence and develops high-impact advertising campaigns to inform, inspire, and empower parents about their K–12 education options.
Previously, Alissa owned her own digital marketing agency, served as an adjunct writing professor at Bloomfield College, and spent two years as an elementary school teacher at Democracy Preparatory Charter School in New York.
Alissa attended both public and private schools as a child, where she developed a love for creative writing. She holds a bachelor of arts in education policy and entrepreneurship from New York University, and a master of arts in sociology of education from Teachers College at Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, scrolling through TikTok, and exploring NYC with her husband and cavapoo, Russ.