Celeste: Making Friends and Expanding Horizons
Meet Celeste, one of the nearly 2,500 SRLA students who will be running the LA Marathon on March 19th. For Celeste, SRLA has been more than just running. It’s been an opportunity to expand her horizons, make new friends, and build a community in a new home.
Ms. Cumbess, Celeste’s SRLA leader, explains how Students Run LA was one of the first activities that Celeste found when moving to a new country. “Celeste is from Mexico and entered school in the US in the spring of the 2020-2021 school year. Her first enrollment was at Hilda Solis Learning Academy; during the 21-22 school year, Celeste joined SRLA at Hilda Solis. Celeste enrolled at Garfield HS this school year and joined our SRLA team. Celeste is an English Learner.”
Celeste has had a lifelong love of running and decided to join SRLA to follow in her cousin’s footsteps. “Primero que nada le doy las gracias a mi primo Axel Ortega por qué el fue una de las personas quien me recomendó en correr con Students Run LA. Y mi gran motivo por entrar a Students Run LA fue por qué a mi me encanta correr es una gran pasión que tengo dentro de mi desde que tenia 4 años para mi correr es una felicidad.”
Being in SRLA has given Celeste the chance to improve her English and build friendships and community beyond her classes. According to Ms. Cumbess, “Celeste is still learning English. By participating in SRLA and the track & field team, Celeste is putting herself in situations where she is able to practice her English skills.”
For Celeste, the best part of SRLA is working towards her goals with thousands of other students and leaders, all aiming for the same finish line. “Algo que a mi me trae mucha alegría de Students Run LA es que todas las personas que participamos en estas grandes aventuras es que aquí todos somos una familia, entre todos nos apoyamos no nos dejamos caer y si alguien está por rendirse nosotros lo ayudamos a completar su meta.”
Running has given Celeste the opportunity to share her story and learn from others. “A mi lo que me gusta hacer mucho en Students Run LA es hacer amigos conocer otras historia acerca de las personas y también contar un poco sobre mi vida como es que he llegado hasta donde estoy ahora.“
Through her marathon journey Celeste has forged connections that will leave a lasting impact.