I always enjoy covering the annual "¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina!" program offered by Latinas Unidas.
Witnessing the girls cheer and shout "Soy Latina" as loud as they can when various community leaders welcome them to the University of Rochester just fills me with pride.
As I reflected on previous rallies, I realized that I tended to focus my interviews on the younger girls in attendance. Perhaps this is because they’re often so bubbly and talkative and full of personality.
But as it turned out, God had other plans for me this time around.
On March 19, as I sat with Staff Photographer Tamara Tirado in the university cafeteria during this year’s rally, I observed the variety of groups eating lunch and chatting amongst themselves. One girl stood out among the hundreds of people there. She placed her plate of food on the table, sat down and bowed her head in prayer. I said to myself, "I have a good feeling about this girl."
Shortly thereafter, I approached her table. When I spoke with Jasmin Jackson and her two friends, my suspicions were immediately confirmed. They were all sweet, intelligent and ambitious young women. They all have their eyes on the prize of a college education. Talking with young people like this, which I am so fortunate to do through this work, makes me feel hopeful for the future of our Rochester community.
The girls then turned the tables on me! They quickly stopped me after I had gotten up and walked away from the table and asked if I would pose for a picture with them. Tamara just happened to be there as well to capture the moment. I truly felt honored and joked with Tamara that they were my biggest fans. But I hope they know I’m their fan and wish them all the best!
(Click here to read Annette’s full story on the rally.)
(Click here to view more photos from this event and/or buy prints.)
