Denver Catholic

APR-MAY 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC I n the heart of Denver, Colorado, a remarkable journey began for Nayla Hernandez, now a soph- omore at the Universit y of Notre Dame. Nayla's story is not just one of academic achievement but also a tes- tament to the power of faith, family, and love. Her journey began at Annunci- ation Catholic School in 2011, where she was a Seeds of Hope Scholarship recipient from kindergarten through 8th Grade. With English as her second language, Annun- ciation helped her learn and grow in a place of faith and love. She remembers the school 's mission statement at the time to be, "We are an urban school, committed to learn, committed to serve, committed to love, and committed to live these with the integrit y that Jesus did". This became a guiding light for Nayla. She aspired to commit to these values as she advanced on her path throughout her education. Nayla's journey was not just about educational sup- port but also about nurturing her faith. She ref lects on her time at Annunciation, saying, "I was just constantly surrounded by love, and I think that's what motivated me to want to stay in touch with my faith ". Her faith was her anchor, providing her with the strength to face life's challenges head-on. "I am very grateful to Seeds of Hope for the opportunit y that I was given" she says. As a Valedictorian graduate of Bishop Machebeuf High School, Nayla not only excelled academically but also demonstrated a commitment to her community. When talking about her Catholic education from kindergarten on, Nayla mentions, "I think what I'm most grateful for is having had certain values instilled that guided me through difficult points in my life". Her preparation in Archdiocese of Denver Catholic schools helped her attain a full-ride Daniels Fund Schol- arship to the University of Notre Dame. Nayla is currently double majoring in Romance Languages and Education, Schooling and Society, and is a first-generation college student! As she continues her academic journey at the University of Notre Dame, we are excited to see the positive impact she will make on her commu- nity and beyond. Nayla's story is a testament to how Seeds of Hope Schol- arships change the trajectory of children's lives and provide a future full of hope. Nurtured by Faith & Empowered by Education 48 M A K E A N I M PAC T To learn more about the mission of Seeds of Hope and how you can make an impact in students' lives, visit seedsofhopedenver.org S E E DS O F H O P E NAYLA'S SEEDS OF HOPE STORY

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