My name is Guadalupe and I am an 18 year old student at Tulsa Community College. When I was six years old, my mom decided she wanted to come to the United States and work. She left me and my five year old brother behind in the care of a distant relative. Me and my brother went to school, behaved, and did what we were told. About one year later my mom went back. We got to spend sometime [in San Francisco], and then in May of 1999, she decided to go back and save money so that Francisco and I could also go and have a better life. Since the process for a visa was too long and the chances of us getting approved were low, she just decided she would hire a “coyote” or a crossing guard. We came at the beginning of July in 1999. My mom worked difficult hour and enrolled us in school. I started in the 3rd grade and quickly learned english. I was smart and excited. I wanted to succeed and at that point in time I didn’t know just how dangerous coming here undocumented was going to be. I made my way up, learning nothing about race. I made good grades, and then in junior high I began to become somewhat of an involved students. I would volunteer my time in HELP, an afterschool program that emphasized in helping children living in the homeless shelter. I left junior high with a good attendance and with Honor Roll. I was more determined to succeed! My mom decided to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma and so I started attending Will Rogers High school. I continued to excel and became active in my school. I was a part of great, enriching programs such as HOSA, JROTC, the English club, band, and academic bowl. I earned titles I could have only dreamed of. I became Miss Will Rogers’ 70th school president and Band queen. I first realized just how hard it was going to be to attend college in my junior year. I was offered an opportunity to attend college during my senior year and earn college credit. I took the chance and the enrolling process was hard. I was missing one thing a social security number and money. Lyon College had given me a full ride scholarship to attend and I had decided to take it and move to Arkansas. But I couldn’t. They neglected me for not having that key ingridient. I was heart broken and at a loss for words. A door had been shut in my face and that was only the beginnig. I could not attend the university of my choice because I did not have money. Lyon was not the only one that neglected me for this reason. I decided I would stay at TCC and transfer after I obtained my associates degree, which I am in the process of completing. Back then, I did not understand and today… I wish to educate all the ignorant people that would like to punish other students like me. We did not choose to come here, it was chosen for us. We had to adapt, change and learn the “American” way of life and even that has not been enough. I know I am not the only undocumented student, I know that I am not alone and I refuse to [let others like me] feel like they are alone. We just have to speak out, and that is exactly what I will do and am doing. Tulsa Community College Hispanic Student Organization organized a rally on Mother’s day, in which students from Texas also came to support us. We have a right to speak out and we won’t stop. I have a DREAM and I will reach it!