Sophomore wins 2024 Young Latinx Essay contest
Congratulations to Eunice Ponce '27, who was named a winner of Conexión Américas' 2024 Young Latinx Essay and Multimedia Contest.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
We spoke with Eunice to discuss the recognition and inspiration behind her award-winning essay.
Q: How did you hear about the competition?
A: One of my aunties told me about this competition. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but after some investigation, I thought, Why not?
Q: What was your essay about?
A: My essay, titled “Renacer con fuerza: un viaje de resiliencia y crecimiento,” is about my journey of growth. I talked about my experiences of moving to a new country, the challenges I faced, and how I found strength in my cultural identity. Initially, I was embarrassed by my Hispanic roots, but over the years, I found my strength in being motivated by them. I also discussed the importance of embracing my roots and using my voice to inspire and advocate for my community.
Q: What inspired you to participate in the competition?
Q: How did it feel to hear you were nominated and won?
Back
We spoke with Eunice to discuss the recognition and inspiration behind her award-winning essay.
Q: How did you hear about the competition?
A: One of my aunties told me about this competition. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but after some investigation, I thought, Why not?
Q: What was your essay about?
A: My essay, titled “Renacer con fuerza: un viaje de resiliencia y crecimiento,” is about my journey of growth. I talked about my experiences of moving to a new country, the challenges I faced, and how I found strength in my cultural identity. Initially, I was embarrassed by my Hispanic roots, but over the years, I found my strength in being motivated by them. I also discussed the importance of embracing my roots and using my voice to inspire and advocate for my community.
Q: What inspired you to participate in the competition?
A: My main inspiration was my journey to where I am. For the past few years, I have been working hard to get to the level I am at and increase my confidence in writing and talking. In addition, I give thanks to Ms. Mayfield and Ms. Tan, two of my teachers who inspired me to share my voice.
Q: Did anything you learned at USN help you get ready?
A: USN gave me the confidence to share my voice and express my creativity.
Q: How did it feel to hear you were nominated and won?
A: Three weeks before the ceremony, Conexion Americas contacted me and told me I was nominated among the top 4 finalists. I was thrilled when they reached out and thankful that I had the opportunity to share my voice and have it respected. When the day of the ceremony came, the dreary weather felt negative, changing my thinking and making me anxious. When the ceremony started, Conexion America staff introduced the finalists and read some passages from each essay. I was getting nervous and nervous each time, and then they called the other three finalists, and they didn't call my name. For a moment, I thought I had ended up in 4th place and had accepted my fate. I didn't win and didn't even have the privilege to go up front and talk about my work. But then I realized something: they all received the same prize, not the winning prize, and then I realized... I won! They sent the three finalists to take a seat, and they called the name of the winner. Eunice Ponce... I was in shock. I stood up and walked to the front. I knew they were talking about my work, but I was lost in my thoughts. I was saying to myself, Don't cry, don't cry. I cried—after taking some pictures, they sent me back to my seat and continued the ceremony. I was delighted to be given the opportunity and for my work to be considered the winner.
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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
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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.