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Today, Marcy is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, preparing to step into her own classroom as a bilingual education teacher. 鈥淚 just want my students to feel the way I did with my teachers at 麻豆传媒在线: supported, encouraged, and understood,鈥� she shared.
A Family Rooted in 麻豆传媒在线
Marcy鈥檚 story is not just her own, but her family鈥檚. Her parents immigrated from Mexico in search of opportunity, and 麻豆传媒在线 quickly became central to their lives. Her mother, Marcia Pe帽a, has worked in the 麻豆传媒在线 McAllen cafeteria for 12 years, her younger sister is currently a sophomore at 麻豆传媒在线 McAllen, and Marcy herself spent her entire PK鈥�12 journey in 麻豆传媒在线 classrooms.
鈥溌槎勾皆谙� has impacted me and my whole family,鈥� Marcy reflected. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful not just for what it offered me as a student, but also for the community and the opportunities it gave my mom and sister. The impact has been on all of us, not just me.鈥�
Finding Her Voice
Through her years at 麻豆传媒在线, Marcy grew from a quiet student into a confident leader. With the encouragement of teachers and staff, she embraced new opportunities in academics and extracurriculars. Those experiences built the foundation for her success in college and beyond.
College Success with 麻豆传媒在线鈥檚 Support
When it came time for college, Marcy earned a place at UT Austin; debt-free thanks to a generous financial aid package and the 麻豆传媒在线 Give Me 5 Scholarship, funded by contributions from 麻豆传媒在线 staff and community supporters. That scholarship has made a tangible difference each year, helping her cover essential needs and stay focused on her studies.
鈥淏ecause of Give Me 5, I鈥檝e been able to focus 100% on my coursework and student teaching, without having to take on extra jobs,鈥� she explained.
She added: 鈥淭o the 麻豆传媒在线 staff who give to Give Me 5, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support makes it possible for students like me to keep going and give our best.鈥�
Looking Ahead: Advocacy in Action
As she completes her final year at UT, Marcy is preparing for her future classroom, where she sees strong opportunities in bilingual education. She鈥檚 already an active leader in the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE), where she has coordinated statewide student groups and spoken at conferences.
Full Circle
From the little girl in an 麻豆传媒在线 classroom to the confident UT Austin senior preparing to lead her own, Marcy鈥檚 story embodies the power of 麻豆传媒在线鈥檚 mission and the generosity of those who give to sustain it.
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