NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Fernanda Sofia Ochoa, an Isaac E. Young Middle School eighth-grader, wants to spread the message that everyone is capable of moving beyond any barriers in life.
Known as Sofia, Ochoa became a student in the City School District of New Rochelle after arriving from Mexico last year. Speaking only minimal English, Ochoa learned quickly, has had notable academic achievements and has aspirations to become a doctor or architect.
“Sofia is intelligent, kind, is helpful to students and is such a respectful young lady,” said Jecelyn George, her guidance counselor.
Ochoa said it wasn’t easy to arrive in a new country and go to a new school.
“When I came here, I was really scared because it’s really different from Mexico,” Ochoa recalled. “This is a big school. I thought I was going to get lost.”
Her family reinforced the importance of not giving in or giving up.
“My mom and brother always told me, you need to do well. If you see a wall in front of you, don’t say, ‘I need to wait.’ If you do, you will be stuck.”
Ochoa didn’t wait. With a thirst for learning, she threw herself into her studies, earning either an A or A+ in all of her classes in every marking period last year. Her limited knowledge of the English language morphed into commanding fluency.
Indeed, her academic accomplishments were so stellar that she was selected for IEYMS’ chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Her math and science proficiency placed her in Algebra and Biology – both high school classes – this year.
“You need to see what’s on the other side of ‘the wall,'” she said. “It might be scary, but focus and do it. It could be a ‘difficult wall,’ but on the other side there could be an opportunity that could help you in your future. If you’re still stuck in the same place, you’re not going to go anywhere in your life.
What advice does she have for others?
“You need to always be focused on what you want to do for your future,” she said. “This school is the best place in the U.S. for me. I see many possibilities to help me with my life. If you’re not seeing the positive things that are in school, you’re not going to get anywhere.”