Some students were crossing a deep river, some students were traveling in the midst of night, and some students were just hoping to arrive in the United States. 

Serena Portillo (9) is a freshman and traveled from Honduras with the motivation of having a better future. Serena first had to pass through Guatemala and Mexico. “We walked nights, five girls of the ages 15 to 16,” said Serena. Serena made the decision to walk to the United States from Honduras as she reminded herself that she could have a better future here. “It took me about 13 days to get to the United States,” said Serena. Serena and five other women traveled closer to the United States every day with one man guiding them day and night, until they got to Mexico’s capital. “We got captured at the capital of Mexico by people who were supposedly “police officers”, said Serena. “In reality they were impersonating police officers.” 

“We escaped at three in the morning,” said Serena. “The man who was guiding us toward the United States picked us up in an automobile.”  From that point on Serena continued on with her journey to the United States. Unfortunately, Serena and the five other girls who traveled together to the United States were separated when they finally arrived. The other girls were all moved into different states and different schools. Through her journey from Honduras, Serena hopes to join the military and become a nurse. 

“I crossed through a river that was about one meter and a half deep,” said Junior Morales (9). “Two people were willing to help me.” Junior traveled from Guatemala and his motive was to get away from danger. It took Junior about a month and ten days to safely arrive in the United States.  Junior was 13 years old when he found out that his father had died. “I was very scared to stay over there because they killed my father,” said Junior, “I was the only one left, so I had no choice but to come over.”. His father was working when he got captured and then later killed. After Junior’s journey toward the United States, he was gladly received by family. From his journey to the United States,  Junior hopes to become a math teacher. 

Ian Lopez (9) also walked nights and crossed a river. Coming from Honduras,  she was about to cross the river and two individuals were willing to assist her. They helped her cross on a boat. “I want to have a good future,” said Ian, “I also want to help promote my family.” It took Ian about one month to arrive in the United States. Ian felt frightened at times due to dangerous situations while on the road to the United States. “When I got here, I felt sad because not all my family was able to come along,” said Ian. To help her family out, Ian hopes to become a fashion designer in the future. “Put your effort into everything.”