Girlstown Mexico, Class of 2018
I grew up in a small community in Oaxaca, in a close-knit family rooted in the Catholic faith. My parents are hardworking farmers, but their income often covered only our daily needs. Before school, my siblings and I helped them in the fields. We started at dawn and hurried to finish in time for class.
Money was scarce. Relatives took in my older sister so she would have the opportunity to continue her education outside our town. As the eldest daughter still at home, I helped care for my younger siblings while my parents worked.
Despite these challenges, I loved learning. Throughout elementary school, I earned good grades and received recognition in academic, sports, and poetry competitions. At home, my siblings and I enjoyed soccer, athletics, and organizing our own little quiz competitions. My father encouraged my interest in numbers, which later grew into a passion for mathematics and accounting.
Maria Elena with her two younger brothers
As I approached the end of primary school, I learned about the Sisters of Mary’s Girlstown and took the entrance exam. With my parents’ wholehearted support, I began five years of middle and high school education there, graduating in 2018.
Girlstown gave me opportunities beyond anything available in my community. I joined the athletics team and competed at the state level. When health concerns required me to leave the team, I found another interest in the school’s music ensemble, where I participated until graduation. I also competed in history and mathematics and served as the flag bearer for the school’s honor guard during my final year.
Throughout my five years at Girlstown, I ranked among the top three students in my class. I completed my technical qualification in accounting with excellence and received first-place recognition. I also developed a love of reading, which remains one of my favorite pastimes.
The Sisters taught me far more than academic subjects. Through their daily example, I learned discipline, perseverance, service, and the importance of remaining faithful to my principles. They strengthened the faith my family had nurtured and helped me see how I might use my education to help others.
With this preparation, I earned the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, covering full tuition at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where I studied Public Accounting and Finance. I would never have reached this opportunity without my education at Girlstown.
University brought new challenges. Although my tuition was covered, my family had no means to pay my living expenses. I worked as an accounting intern while studying, and additional scholarship support from generous donors helped me meet my daily needs and continue my education.
During university, I earned recognition in an academic competition among campuses and participated in activities related to my degree. I also volunteered to tutor children through DIF in Toluca until the pandemic interrupted our visits. Helping younger students reminded me of the care and encouragement I had received.
Today, I have completed my degree and work as a Senior Tax Consultant at Deloitte. My education has given me the opportunity to support my family and help my siblings pursue their own studies.
I remain deeply grateful to the Sisters of Mary and the donors who support their mission. Their care and generosity helped me pursue an education once beyond my family’s reach. I carry their example with me in my work, my faith, and my desire to help others.