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Karen Viridiana Cruz

Biography

 

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Karen Cruz said that the Foundation changed her life.  The most important way was by allowing her to attend summer programs where she had the opportunity to attend three-week courses in different cities across the U.S. She says those programs reaffirmed her ambitions, expanded her horizons, and allowed her to make friendships she will never forget: “every single summer, I have learned so much about myself and the world and made friendships that mean everything to me. I’ve walked out of those programs with more independence, more knowledge, more friends, and amazing memories.” 

Profile:  Talk about culture shock!  In 2002 eight-year old Young Scholar, now College Scholar Karen Cruz left the small community in Mexico where she was born to come to the booming Dallas-Fort Worth Area.  Almost a decade later this brilliant young woman couldn’t be more grateful to her parents for giving her the chance to reach for the stars and fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatrician.  Karen says it best: “If it wasn’t for that choice, I would not be at Yale or be a part of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. I wouldn’t have discovered my love for photography; I wouldn’t be tutoring students or speaking English for that matter. A large part of who I am today and where I will be in the future is due to my parents’ decision to move to the United States nine years ago.”  Karen has literally “done it all” at the private Greenhill School, both in the classroom and by her participation in a myriad of school and community related activities.  One of her teachers called her the “ideal” student and another said she possesses a “quiet, unrelenting determination.” Mix those qualities in with a great sense of humor and an “infectious smile” and the result is a very special young lady. 

Inspiration:  “Without a doubt,” Karen said recently as she prepared to graduate with honors from high school, “I owe a large part of who I am and where I stand to my wonderful mother.”  Karen’s mom always had the highest expectations for her daughter . . . and Karen did not disappoint.  Again, let Karen explain: “Ever since I was little, my mom has always told me that I will be great, that I am intelligent, and that I will accomplish everything I set my mind to if I'm just willing to work hard. She has truly shown me that in dreams there are no impossibilities, and most importantly, my mom has always been there for me -- listening, giving me advice, and supporting me.” 

Aspiration:  At Yale Karen will be majoring in Cognitive Science or Neuroscience, and eventually hopes to become a pediatrician.  

Making a Difference: If Karen ever decides not to attend medical school, those who know her say she is a born teacher.  She put her academic and Spanish skills to work by becoming a math tutor for younger local students.

Accolades: The Greenhill Pin is a special award given to a student who achieved high honor roll in every semester and Karen possesses this special distinction.  She also was named to the Greenhill Cum Laude Society, received the Bryn Mawr President’s Book Award and various other honors. 

Interesting Fact: Karen’s proud of the fact that she was a cheerleader at Greenhill. “A lot of people tend to stereotype girls who cheer teams and like school spirit, and I love being able to defy those stereotypes,” said Karen.

 

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