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Anahi Cortada
“Determination, perseverance and passion were what gave me the strength to stay focused and not give up on my dreams.”
- Program: 2009 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Washington, DC
- Hometown: Havana, Cuba
- Age: 21
- Community College: Miami Dade College
- Four-year College or University: Georgetown University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Government, International NGO/Relations, Lawyer / Legal Scholar, Politics and Diplomacy, Writing / Journalism
- Other Interests: Languages, Literature, Model UN, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work, Writing / Journalism
Biography
PROFILE: On the day before her commencement from Miami Dade College in May 2009, Anahi Cortada’s dream came true. An envelope postmarked from Washington, DC arrived containing her acceptance letter from Georgetown University, something she had hoped for since the day she arrived in Florida from her native Cuba. Anahi had to overcome numerous struggles to achieve her dream of receiving a higher education. “I had to work hard to adapt to this new society, to learn English, and to excel in my studies.” When she arrived from Cuba, she had left most of her family behind and knew nothing of American culture. She and her mother supported each other through those tough first few years. Caring teachers in high school also helped her find her way in her new home.
INSPIRATION: In addition to her mother, who worked factory jobs and at a gas station to allow Anahi to succeed, the Georgetown-bound student credits a professor at Hialeah High School, Stuart Carlin, “who opened my eyes to the future I could achieve in this country and guided me to begin this new experience.”
ASPIRATION: Although her future goals are still forming, Anahi will be a government major at Georgetown.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Anahi was a member of Miami Dade’s Legislative Advocacy Committee which worked with state legislators on educational issues. She was also her school’s head delegate at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. She accomplished all these extracurricular activities while serving as managing editor of the campus newspaper.
ACCOLADES: As managing editor of The Falcon Times, she received an award for design from the Florida Community College Press Association. She was also presented the Miami Dade College Academic Excellence Award for International Relations, the Honors College Fellows Award, and the Florida Medallion Scholars Award.
INTERESTING FACT: She has won several talent competitions for salsa dancing.
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