Freshman year can be imitating enough at any school, but heading to an all-girls, college preparatory high school like Incarnate Word, that’s a different story. Like any normal 14-year-old girl entering high school, the summer before was full of anticipation, excitement, and fear. I didn’t know what was in store for me. Another fear was that I might not do as well as I thought I could, but the Friday before my first day of school, I met my “big sister”, Lily Ogden. I also met the girls in my advisory, and even made a new friend. Suddenly, I felt a little stronger. That first week past by in so quick a time that I can barely remember it, just a few pieces like: stay out of the art room! I think I’m lost. Your first lap is due Friday!

Soon enough, I was into the Shamrock routine. Taking 3 pre AP classes and Latin for a language, my schedule felt like a challenge to me, and I couldn’t wait to overcome it. I joined the Theater Company, the Speech and Debate Team, a fun club named MAC, and even ran for Student Council Historian. My weeks were busy with schoolwork and club work. Before I knew it, Christmas time had come around, along with the most difficult final exams I had ever taken. The year was halfway done, and I wasn’t so sure that that was a good thing. My spring semester was even better than the first, and I became part of a new experience called NHI, the National Hispanic Institute. I celebrate my Quinceanera, which made me feel more blessed for the family and the new friends I have acquired. Then we began preparing for spring semester finals, and a sudden realization came over me.

Around this time last year, I didn’t even know whether I was going to a catholic private high school. I had applied and been accepted to Incarnate Word, but it probably wasn’t going to work out. I’d rather have my brother finish his years until 8th grade at Little Flower and put myself in public school than have it reversed. But then, something marvelous happened, and that was Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation. I could not believe that a family would do so much for one girl, especially me. The more I thought about it, it didn’t make sense to me. I was thinking that they should’ve given it someone they knew, other than me, a random girl from Little Flower School. However, at the end of my freshman year, May 2010, it suddenly hit me. Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation had taught me a valuable lesson that I won’t soon forget. Sure, it’s great to help your friends and people you know to be good. It’s easy handing someone you know a gift that they truly deserve. But it’s even more rewarding to help someone that you’ve never met. Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation showed me that giving doesn’t stop within your household or your school, but extends out into your community, into the lives of someone else that you may not know; someone who could really use a friend like you. Because of Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation, I felt this wanting inside of me to give back to my community just as Viola Barrios did.

On the last day of school, my friend, Elizabeth LaFrance, came up to hug me goodbye. She told me she was really glad I got my scholarship, because she was glad she met me and was my friend. Thanks to Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation, I have some of the best friends in the world. I’m really glad I got my scholarship too, because I can’t imagine my life without the new friends I’ve made and Incarnate Word High School.

-Abigail Issarraras