About Me- Elena Esteve by Elena Esteve

About Me

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 19:48:37 UTC

Hello! My name is Elena, I'm 16 years old, and I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to go on this trip with all of you this summer.

My School

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 19:49:58 UTC

I live in Ridgewood, New Jersey and I am currently a Sophomore at Ridgewood High School.

My Family

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 19:55:42 UTC

My family plays an enormous role in my life. I have three siblings, 1 older and two younger, and around forty first cousins. My immediate family, shown below, consists of my parents, my brothers Santiago (18) and Pablo (12), and my sister Ana Sofia (7).

Cambodia

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 20:07:17 UTC

I went to Cambodia with a school club in eighth grade to visit our ¨sister schools¨ in Phnom Penh that we help to support. This was the most amazing trip that I have been on and played a huge role in my decision to do Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder this year. (not me, but two pictures I took there)

Interests

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 20:14:38 UTC

I have always been a big fan of photography, I love traveling, and I love to read. I am also a part of my school volleyball team. Here is one of my favorite photos that I have taken:

Why Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder?

melenaesteve — 2015-04-20 20:15:59 UTC

I love to travel and I love the feeling that comes when you make an impact on someone's life for the better- no matter how small that impact might be. I believe that it is very important to learn about different cultures and being completely immersed is the best way to learn. I also think that it is important to give back as much as possible- especially to a community that is teaching and giving you so much. I chose Nicaragua specifically because I liked the Spanish language aspect, and that we get to work with children and education. Also, after hearing about how poverty stricken Nicaragua is, and how few make it through 5th grade, I wanted to help.

My dad's side of the family

melenaesteve — 2015-04-21 18:50:47 UTC

This photo was taken with my grandparents (center) and my cousins.

Camp

melenaesteve — 2015-04-21 19:15:33 UTC

For the past nine years, I have gone to a sleepaway camp each summer.

My volleyball team

melenaesteve — 2015-04-22 02:49:35 UTC

(I'm number 11)

melenaesteve — 2015-04-22 02:57:56 UTC