ABSTRACT
Julieta’s family applied for legal status when she was in elementary school. Fifteen years later, after struggling to pay for college, graduate school, and a teaching credential, Julieta is still waiting. Julieta came to the United States when she was nine years old. Before coming to the United States, Julieta recalls a happy childhood despite the fact that her mother had a life-threatening illness, and her family always struggled to pay for the medical expenses. Julieta felt very isolated in school when she first started, but as the years passed, she felt more and more comfortable. Julieta’s struggles with the English language often held her back from being in more academically challenging courses. Julieta participated in various activities in high school. During high school, Julieta established a strong connection to her academic decathlon coach, whose mentoring she very much valued.
