In the eyes of the eighth-grade teachers at Ignacio Middle School, 14-year-old Mia Carrillo is a star pupil.
Her favorite subjects are history and language arts, and she is enrolled in TRIO Upward Bound, a federally-funded program offered through Fort Lewis College that helps qualified students develop the skills needed to finish high school and pursue a college degree.
Now, she is a recipient of the Billy Michal Student Leadership award, given to one exemplary student from each state by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans Carrillo was invited to attend the American Spirit Awards celebration at the museum June 8-10.
Heidi Belleau, Carrillo’s history teacher, was one educator to nominate her for the opportunity. Marissa Duffey was another.
“Mia is an excellent student and always has been. She works very hard,” Belleau said. “Immediately, she was the first person to come to mind for both Ms. Duffey and me as someone who would represent us well and who was worthy to go.”
Carrillo’s long list of extracurricular activities and volunteer work made her stand out among the other contenders for the award. She is part of Club Venture, an after-school program that regularly serves meals at Manna, and is scheduled to volunteer at the Senior Center in Ignacio later this year. Carrillo also competes in the school’s spelling bee every year and was a member of the student council at Ignacio Middle School.
Environmentally conscious, Carrillo participated in the climate march and rally in Durango in late April and read her poem about climate change aloud to the crowd in Buckley Park.
Despite her busy schedule, her grades have not suffered. According to Ignacio Middle School Principal Chris deKay, she was on the honor roll every quarter while in middle school for a total of 12 times. She was also a top student in every subject and regularly recognized for her efforts at student assemblies.
Carrillo said she did not expect to be selected to represent Colorado at the American Spirit Awards, where a general admission ticket sells for $500. The gala celebrates individuals and organizations whose work reflects the ideals and spirit of those who served the country during World War II.
“I’m looking forward to all of it,” Carrillo said. “The farthest I’ve been is Nevada, and I’ve never traveled by airplane because my family doesn’t have enough money for something like that.”
Carrillo will be accompanied by her mother, Nyla Abaroa, who is thrilled to see her daughter succeed and be offered the opportunity.
“I got an email from Mia’s mother thanking me for nominating her,” Belleau said. “She said that she wanted her girls to have all the chances she didn’t have and to be able to do the things she wasn’t able to.”
Carrillo will start high school in the fall and says she wants to major in creative writing in college. She will be the first generation in her family to attend a college or university.
“I’d like to go to college out of state, but I’m not sure which college yet. I don’t want to be too close to my mom but also not too far away,” Carrillo laughed.
Belleau doesn’t think there is anyone more deserving to attend the American Spirit Awards.
“We couldn’t have picked a better person. I am proud to say she is my student, and I will miss her next year when she goes to high school.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
