Nohelia in 5th Grade – Tutoring a Young Reader

In 1999, Nohelia Ramos, a fifth grade student at Bailey’s Elementary School, joined a small group of students who volunteered as literacy tutors in a new after-school program, the Heritage Language Literacy Club (HLLC).  She enjoyed working with the younger students and teaching them how to read and write in their native Spanish language. She felt special and respected as a tutor, a leader among her peers.  Little did she know that this decision would shape her future in ways large and small.

Nohelia continued as a tutor in the HLLC throughout middle and high school, for a total of seven years.  Each year the Club’s supportive environment helped her gain valuable job skills, such as learning to work with others as a team and taking on increased levels of responsibility.  She also earned a college scholarship award for every year of service as a tutor.  Most importantly, she acquired the confidence and self-esteem that come from knowing that she personally contributed to the academic and personal success of the many young children she tutored throughout the years.

Success Story

Nohelia Today – a Third Year Nursing Student at George Mason University

Today, Nohelia is a third-year Nursing student at George Mason University. While doing a rotating practicum at several local hospitals, she quickly became the most sought-after nursing student on the floor, because she can communicate seamlessly with both Spanish-speaking patients and English-speaking doctors.  She can write patient instructions in Spanish and read charts in English.  Nohelia makes it easy for every department in the hospital to care for and communicate with their patients who speak only Spanish. In life or death situations, Nohelia continues to apply the principal lesson that she learned throughout her years as a tutor: her skills and dedication can have a positive impact in the lives of others.