Reyna Lopez Garcia, Bilingual First Generation to College Student, Harvard University-Class of 2025
Written by Kristina (Tina) M. Howlett, Ph.D.
Community Projects Coordinator/College Advisor, Rogers Honors Academy, Rogers Public Schools, Rogers, Arkansas
Reyna Lopez Garcia, Rogers Honors Academy-Rogers Heritage High School, Rogers, Arkansas, Class of 2021, excels academically with a GPA of 4.3. Reyna is engaged in her home, school, and greater community. At home, Reyna helps with household bills, interprets for her family and cares for her brother, teaching him English. At school, Reyna is a member of the Spanish and National Honor Societies, Mu Alpha Theta, and LULAC. After school, Reyna works as a Pre-School Administrative Assistant at Kumon Math and Reading Center of Bentonville helping children develop a strong academic foundation.
Utilizing her passions for learning and helping others, Reyna initiated a Community Service Project, the Rogers Heritage High School ESOL Support Club, a peer tutoring program designed to help newcomers and other English Learners (ELs). This year, Reyna expanded the club which now includes 50 students participating in weekly tutoring sessions. Reyna stated, “I remember my challenges learning English when I came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 12. I used to be outgoing in my home country, but I suddenly became shy because I did not have anyone to help me practice English. I created the club because it’s important to give English learners the confidence to learn, converse in a new language, and make friends. It makes me feel satisfied to see our ESOL students practicing with their peers. As the founder of the ESOL Support Club, I am confident to say that our ELs feel included in the school community.”
Reyna, a first generation to college student, was accepted to 18 U.S. colleges, including top schools such as USC, UPenn, Rice, and Duke, with awards totaling over $3 million. Reyna decided to attend Harvard University, her dream school, and she plans to pursue a degree in International Relations and Latin American Studies, work in New York City, and travel the world.
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