It was a huge surprise to Whitehall High School senior Jalyn Jimenez when she was informed she had been nominated for the Golden Latin Awards Outstanding Student of the Year scholarship. Jimenez only discovered she was nominated when a family friend congratulated her.

Tatiana Berrios, supervisor of educational equity at Whitehall-Coplay School District, called Jimenez to the high school office and informed her of the nomination. Berrios had learned of the scholarship Sept. 28, 2021, when she attended the annual Pennsylvania Latino Convention, held in Reading.

“The Latino convention provides a connection for all Latinos and other communities across Pennsylvania with empowerment and capacity-building opportunities,” Berrios said.

At the convention, Berrios met Isa Pereira, the director of La Razon Newspaper, Allentown. Pereira is also the founder of the Golden Latin Awards. Pereira invited Berrios to attend the Dec. 10, 2021, gala.

Berrios researched the event and criteria for the Outstanding Student of the Year scholarship and shared her findings with WCSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel, along with WHS counselors, who gave her the names of five students who could qualify as nominees.

“I called each family to interview and further learn their story,” Berrios said. “I presented the names to the district leadership, and based on the academic and personal story, Jaylyn stood out from the other candidates.”

The recipient of the scholarship had to have a Latino background and speak Spanish, as well as have academic and community achievements.

Jimenez is involved in many extracurriculars, including volunteer and service-based activities such as SERVE Club and Leo Club. Jimenez is a member of London Club and Zephyr Nation and spends time helping at food banks and shelters.

She is also a member of the National Honor Society and is part of Spanish, math, science and English national honor societies. She is senior class president and will assist with planning the senior prom and graduation. In addition, Jimenez had the opportunity to participate in a doctoral research study on the experiences of students of color at WCSD.

After Jimenez was chosen as the nominee to represent WHS, WCSD sent out a mass email asking parents to vote for her. She was one of three area students nominated. Several days after the voting process concluded, Jimenez received an email stating she was being awarded the scholarship.

“I was super surprised to find out that I was nominated for the award, let alone that I won it. I was not expecting to be recognized at such a highly attended event,” Jimenez said.

Lisa Jimenez (no relation), Golden Latin Awards event coordinator, said, “We received hundreds of nominations for Ms. Jalyn, and between her academics and beautiful heart, the wonderful things that her teachers had to say about her and her active participation in school, our committee agreed she was the winner. We are very proud of her and her dedication.”

Berrios was also excited when she found out Jimenez won the scholarship and went to WHS to help Jimenez practice her scholarship acceptance speech.

“It was very emotional to listen to her speech because I kept thinking and reflecting on the need for Latino leaders, as we are already one million in Pennsylvania,” Berrios said.

Jimenez’s parents, as well as Berrios, attended the gala at Days Hotel, Allentown. Jimenez gave her speech and was proud to deliver it in Spanish, then English. She enjoyed her special night at the ceremony and said there were multiple events, a photo booth and a caricature artist.

“Attending the gala was like attending the red carpet. It was beautifully decorated, planned out and sponsored,” Jimenez said. “There were so many Latino figures in our community who attended, such as Latino politicians and judges.

“It was a phenomenal experience, and there were journalists, photographers and even news stations there to record the entire event. It was amazing to see and be in a room filled with successful Latinos from all over the world,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez’s scholarship will provide her with $500 to help cover the cost of college tuition. Jimenez was accepted at Saint Joseph’s University and Drexel University, her top choices. Both schools are in Philadelphia, and Jimenez is still making her decision. Jimenez is considering a major in a STEM-related field and is especially interested in information technology and software engineering.

Jimenez realizes how significant it is to have the Latino community come together to provide a scholarship specifically for Latino students.

“I feel that continuing to give students this award is important because many underrepresented students do not have the opportunity to be recognized,” she said.