My name is Jennifer Agustin Ambrocio, a senior at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, double majoring in Political Science and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Latin Latino American Studies. I am a first-generation student, the oldest of four girls and a young Latina from Mexican immigrant parents.
I want to share with you my middle school experience where I will also share both my high school and college experiences as well.
I transferred to Blessed Trinity in 2012 – 2013, my parents have always had a say in my education no matter what I wanted, because parents have been knowing their best for their children. My mom was the one that wanted me to continue my education in a catholic institution. Blessed trinity was not at my mind at all, but I knew it was going to be a great leap of faith for me and help create that change in my early life. When I first toured the school, I was excited and nervous but at the same time I did not know what the next years would bring. Blessed Trinity made me feel welcomed by teachers, students and friends due to one of our mission tenets is to be intentionally inclusive.
Spanish is my first language, which made English difficult for me as, I had to learn it as a second language in school, because being bilingual is important for me. I remember having to stay after school with teachers and tutors because the transition from public to private was not easy, at least for me, and I had to catch up to be on the same level as my peers. I still remember my teachers’ names, and those that have impacted my life in a positive way. Starting with Mr. Dillon, Ms. Armbrust, Mrs Kalbfell, Mr. Smeya, Mrs. Myott, Mr Stock, Ms Hillman, and Mr. Boyle, Blessed trinity has great, amazing and dedicated teachers that I wish were still my teachers till this day.
One of my favorite classes was English/Literature taught by Mr. Boyle especially the To Kill a Mockingbird Book and unit, one of the main characters Atticus Finch was and still is my favorite. That is where becoming a lawyer piqued my interest, and it is a dream of mine to become an Immigration Lawyer. I knew I wanted to be like him, standing up for people’s rights and helping them through the legal system.
After I graduated from BT, I attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School where I graduated in 2020. Attending a Jesuit institution made me aware of the many values I hold as a student and person, because every week after the end of the assembly we exclaimed a prayer that said, “As we go out into the world let us remember that we are guided by faith, prepared for life and always serving others.” We are known as the school that works, because Cristo Rey has a unique system where students go to school 4 days a week, and 1 day they get to work at a corporate job. I was lucky to have 3 different corporate work jobs which were Jamf Software an engineering company for Apple, and Android devices, Wipfli LLP CPAS and consulting company, and Ameriprise Financial, these were amazing experiences.
After I graduated from CR, I am now attending Saint Ben’s I continue my education at a benedictine institution, The College of Saint Benedict, and Saint John’s University. Thankfully I received a full ride scholarship to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s university and will be graduating in May 2024. I love my college experience, especially the various internships and study abroad programs I have done throughout my 4 years. I got to work in various internships, 7 to be exact and got to participate in 4 study abroad programs. I spent one month in Chiapas, Mexico, Seville, Spain for the semester, Dubai UAE for a week for COP 28 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and lastly Salvador, Brazil for a month after I graduate. I knew I wanted to take advantage of my time here, that’s why I applied for every opportunity possible and took my education to the top level.
Lastly, giving a big thank you to my parents that have continued to support me, encourage me to continue my education in private schools throughout my life. And of course, a big thank you to all the teachers, tutors, mentors, and anyone else who has supported me throughout my life, and those who have given me that motivation and advice to keep succeeding in life. My parents really love the Blessed Trinity community, especially its teachers and staff. I have two sisters at Blessed Trinity in 6th and 3rd grade. And I am still connected and involved in this community of amazing people. I really care about this school and the gifts that are donated to Blessed Trinity benefit my family and the entire BT family. Thank you, Gracias!