Maria Lozano

My name is Maria Lozano and this is my third year at Metro,

studying towards nursing, and this is also my third year with Journey Through Our Heritage (JTOH).

I was born in Denver,Colorado and am a first generation Mexican American.

I was interested in working with JTOH when I had History of Mesoamerica my freshman year since Professor Helen Giron-Mushfig told me about this work study opportunity, when she was the program coordinator at that time. I was assigned to work with Lincoln High School and have been with them since then.

        When I started working with Lincoln High School, I struggled very much with my leadership skills because I had recently graduated from high school and I was basically in charge of mentoring students who were very close to my age. Fortunately, the two students I had were able to win second place in one of the competitions. I have been able to surpass this struggle and been able to have my students, who were a team of twelve students, win first place in cultural expression and jeopardy competition, and first grand prize last year. This year, my four students were able to win first place in the cultural expression. I have greatly enjoyed working with Lincoln High School since I have developed a great relationship with the students in the team as well as the sponsoring teacher Mark Delgado. I help Mark Delgado with his Hispano American History class every Friday as a teacher assistant where I go around the classroom and help the students. I recruit the students from his classes to be with JTOH, where I meet them after school. I have been able to bond really well with all the students I have had since we have a good time with each other when we are preparing for the competitions.
        I was assigned to work with Mauricio Saravia School of the Arts this school year. I am the coordinator’s assistant for their after school program for children ages 4 to 12. A typical day helping this program starts with reading to the children followed by snack time. They then go to whatever art class they chose. I have helped out in the painting and ceramic art class. After their class they go to the prize store where they choose a prize from the points they have earned that week or from the points they have saved. I’m in charge of giving them the points as well as determining which prizes they can get based on their points.
        I have accomplished so much by being with JTOH. I have maintained my sense of identity and learned about many cultures which will later help with my nursing career since I am going to work with people from many cultures. This year I was honored to have received the Cesar Chavez Leadership Award at the Community Cesar Chavez March on March 26. I have also been happy to attend the NACCS conference March 30-April 2 and represent JTOH by presenting in one of their sessions.