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For the past three years, Alondra Nieves Barajas has been both student and teacher.

大多数日子里, the senior from 罗斯福高中 attends class, 她做家庭作业吗?, and spends time with her friends just like any other 18-year-old. 但在周三晚上, you can find her at the front desk, teaching adults – often much older than herself – the ins and outs of the United States naturalization test.

Alondra’s work is on behalf of the non-profit Mission: Citizen, a Portland-based organization aimed at helping green card holders obtain U.S. 公民身份. 

“The students are so appreciative and grateful and attentive,阿隆德拉说. “They’re so thankful that someone is there to help them with things they would have a hard time doing on their own.”

Roosevelt instructional coach Deanna Delgado started Roosevelt’s Mission: Citizen chapter in 2018, hoping that it would make a difference both in the lives of immigrants pursuing American 公民身份 and in students like Alondra who are eager to get out into the community to help others.

“It’s become very student-driven at this point,” said Delgado. “The young people have taken the lead and this work is very personal for them. Their involvement isn’t about padding their resume. They’re helping people who have some of the same life experience as their friends and family. They really put their heart into this and you can see that reflected back in the trust and respect their students have for them because they know they’re being taught by someone who cares about them.”

Alondra was initially inspired to get involved with Mission: Citizen after talking to her AP Spanish literature teacher, 马里奥·古铁雷斯·瓦伦特.

“I was really intimidated by the teaching aspect,阿隆德拉说, “but he told me I could just go and check out one of the classes at first just to see if I thought it might be something that interested me.”

It didn’t take long before Alondra was hooked.

“I liked talking to the students and answering their questions and meeting them where they’re at,”她说。. “I remember one man in particular – he really appreciated that we were there to help him with handling all the complexity that goes with the 公民身份 test. He didn’t have anyone at home to help with it and he was so grateful.”

Gutierrez Valiente understands such gratitude well. 原产于西班牙, he went through the naturalization process himself in 2019 and knows first-hand how costly and intimidating it can be without help.

“The cost of immigration services isn't possible for a lot of immigrants, but Mission Citizen brings in a lawyer to help guide members of the community on their path toward 公民身份,他说. “They also learn about the history of the United States, which is on the 公民身份 exam. It creates a safe space for the community to learn about the immigration process.”

Alondra was instrumental in recruiting lawyers to come to the classes and offer guidance and advice. According to Gutierrez Valiente, that invaluable service would not be available to Mission Citizen students without Alondra’s hard work and determination. 

“She has made the program better, making it possible to have an immigration lawyer come and answer questions on a pro bono basis, which hadn't happened in years. She made so many calls to make that possible, and spends so much of her time trying to help these members of the community.”

毕业后, Alondra plans to study biology and Spanish at Portland State University with the hopes of eventually going on to medical school to become a radiologist. She is turning over the reins of Roosevelt’s Mission Citizen chapter to another student very soon. 

“It’s a happy sad thing,”她说。. “我会想念学生们的, but I’ve been working pretty hard to promote the program to other kids in my school…People get it. 公民身份 comes with so many benefits, and when you help someone achieve that, it opens them up to opportunities they might not otherwise have.”