2023, Third Place
Yissell Navarro Sanchez is a Venezuelan transfer student and senior, pursuing a major in environmental engineering. She hopes to provide solutions that will minimize adverse environmental effects.
When asked to reflect on her project, Yissell explains, “In this project, I try to provide guidance and insight on the importance of being a first generation student, embracing culture and diversity. Learning English or the process of mastering it, represents one of the greatest challenges faced as immigrants. This is not an easy or instantaneous process, it requires determination and dedication. Being able to share my personal experience and takeaways during my learning and writing process was of great significance, and this project allowed me to reflect on the importance of overcoming our fears, the barrier of language, and our very own limitations, always trusting in the writing process and more importantly, in ourselves.”
