“I’ve always just tried to prove myself,” senior Iliana Avalos said. You have walked by her in the hallway, heard her playing her saxophone during the football games, and could have even sat next to her in class. Avalos may not be a typical stand out, but she definitely stands out to the people’s hearts she has touched.

Avalos is the first North Platte High School student to receive the silver medal in the 10th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. She wrote her essay with the idea of trying to draw people into helping out the community. She wrote in her essay, “You can say there is barriers for latinos/latinas because of broken English, our skin color, the exact soil that we are from, the family we have to hang on too, or are we scared to step foot on other soils? Es hora that we should be proud to step foot on the same soils in our communities around us and share who we are. Bringing Cinco De Mayo to your communities, donating handmade goods for those who need warmth, helping with fundraisers by setting down some plates of cultural foods. Find your ways to support your community.” Avalos entered the contest to spread the message about how important it is to be involved. “I was disappointed with second place at first, but then I came to realize that I went against 149 essays across the state and I still got my scholarship,” Avalos said.

At home Avalos speaks Spanish, which makes writing in English tough. “There are a great deal of differences in the writing styles,” 12th grade English teacher Terry Sodawasser said. “Iliana always wants to improve, has a great work ethic, and always is asking questions. Not all kids do that.” Sodawasser helped Avalos edit her essay.

She went to the state capitol for the award ceremony on Oct. 7. Avalos has been mostly independent from her parents in her life. Fortunately, her parents attended the ceremony in Lincoln. The most memorable part was when her dad shook her hand and said, “Mija, I am proud of you. You make me smile so much my heart melts.”

Avalos did not have this opportunity just handed to her. She was born and raised in Gothenburg.“It was hard for me because I was teased and bullied. The kids didn’t think that I was smart enough,” she said. Her life changed when she moved to North Platte. In 2011 She was diagnosed with scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) and was prescribed to wear a back brace. Even though Avalos figured that she couldn’t play sports anymore, she decided to try. “Being able to play tennis makes me feel strong. It makes me feel like I can do anything,” she said.
Pain is power for Avalos. “I try to take the pain I have and use it to help others,” she said. She has taught two children who moved from Mexico how to speak English. She volunteers at church events, and donates her clothes to girls in foster care. “I am always looking for how to make someone’s day,” she said.

“Because I’ve struggled with my school, my health, how I have been treated, and what kind of living I have had, I know I can achieve a lot,” Avalos said. “I am proud that she overcame obstacles and hope that this is the first of many great opportunities that Iliana takes advantage of,” Sodawasser said.

For finishing second in the competition Avalos was given a scholarship, medal, McDonald’s gift card, and a Kindle. You can see her name printed on the tray liners at McDonald’s restaurants across the state from October to December.