Conexión Américas recognizes HS writers
Congratulations to Ximena Martinez Segoviano '23, the first place winner in Conexión Américas high school essay contest, and to Kimberly Orellana '24 who was recognized as one of six impressive essayists.
By Jeff Edmonds, HS Academic Dean
On Thursday, Sept. 23, Conexión Américas announced Ximena Martinez Segoviano '23 as the winner of its high school essay contest based on the prompt "My Hispanic Roots, My American Dream." A few weeks earlier, Ximena received an email that told her she was a finalist in the contest and invited her to attend the organization's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
"Once I saw an email from Conexión Américas I started getting nervous, and when I opened it and saw that I was a finalist I was shocked for a solid second and then it turned into happiness," Ximena shared. "My immediate reaction was to show it to my parents, and seeing how proud they got was probably one of the best things I've ever felt before."
An excerpt from Ximena's first place essay on her father's role in her life can be found below:
Kimberly Orellana '24 submitted an essay to the contest, as well, and was mentioned as one of six outstanding essayists. Below is an excerpt from Kimberly's piece:
Back
On Thursday, Sept. 23, Conexión Américas announced Ximena Martinez Segoviano '23 as the winner of its high school essay contest based on the prompt "My Hispanic Roots, My American Dream." A few weeks earlier, Ximena received an email that told her she was a finalist in the contest and invited her to attend the organization's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
"Once I saw an email from Conexión Américas I started getting nervous, and when I opened it and saw that I was a finalist I was shocked for a solid second and then it turned into happiness," Ximena shared. "My immediate reaction was to show it to my parents, and seeing how proud they got was probably one of the best things I've ever felt before."
An excerpt from Ximena's first place essay on her father's role in her life can be found below:
As I continue to grow and mature I take in more of [my father’s] wisdom and put it into my own life. If there’s anything that he’s made sure to let me know it’s that none of the decisions I make should ever be solely for his sake. This is a problem that is rather common among first generation Mexican-Americans as we often put pressure on ourselves to overachieve just to make our parents proud and receive their acceptance. … My dad always tells me, “yo seguí por donde mis padres dejaron, y igualmente tu vas a seguir por tu propio camino con lo que te dejamos a ti. Lo que sea que decidas, siempre vamos a estar felices y te vamos a apoyar.” As of now, I’m still working on where I wish to go and what I want to do. There is still a whole world ahead of me, but with the valuable lessons I learned from my dear father I know that everything will turn out alright.
Kimberly Orellana '24 submitted an essay to the contest, as well, and was mentioned as one of six outstanding essayists. Below is an excerpt from Kimberly's piece:
Hispanic immigrants are overlooked in this country. They don't receive the recognition they should because they work the hard labor jobs that other people don't want to do. They are the people that keep the economy running but yet they face a lot of prejudice. They learn a new language in order to be able to get around. I grew up with the fear of one day my parents getting deported, getting taken away from me. I grew up experiencing racism all because I looked like my parents-- immigrants. Others are praised for knowing two languages, meanwhile they hear “Go back to your country” or “Speak English correctly or don't speak it at all” because of their thick accents. Ellos mantienen su orgullo hispano donde sea que estén, nunca se olvidan de donde vinieron. I am always going to have pride for being hispanic, I'll represent the five stars with blue and white stripes of Honduras as if it were my own original land.
School News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Get crafty with USN Evening Classes
There are a variety of USN Evening Classes available this fall to help you create special gifts for yourself and others. These one-night classes are open to the Nashville community and benefit University School of Nashville's need-based scholarship endowment.Read More -
Artclectic Patrons Party early-bird tickets on sale now
Read MoreArtclectic Patrons Party early-bird tickets are $125 each and can be purchased here through Thursday, October 1. The price increases to $150 per person on Friday, October 2. For more than 30 years, Artclectic has been one of Nashville's premier juried art shows, welcoming nationally recognized artists and visitors from across the city to USN's Sperling Gym turned art gallery. The weekend features exceptional artwork, artist demonstrations, student experiences, family activities, and special events that celebrate creativity, with proceeds benefiting USN. -
Learn new skillset through USN Evening Classes
USN Evening Classes, our one-night classes that benefit our need-based scholarship endowment, were recently featured on the City Cast Nashville podcast. Visit usneveningclasses.org to view the fall catalog.Read More
Athletics News
List of 3 news stories.
-
HS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.Read More -
MS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Middle School volleyball and tennis teams are nearing the final games of their seasons, with the competition heating up while the Tigers play to determine their HVAC rankings. Cross country was finally able to race at the River Campus despite the heat, and our mountain biking team traveled to Oakfield, Tennessee, for a high-temperature race weekend.Read More -
MTB Race #2 Report - Rockabilly Ridge Trails, Oakfield, TN
The MTB team returned to the the twisty trails of tranquil Oakfield, TN on Sept 13th to take part in the second race of the season, as part of the 5-race series hosted by the NICA/TICL League.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.