Bunker Hill students learn the benefits of storytelling.

When Stellar coach Lorena Hernández Leonard moved to the United States from Colombia as a child, she faced many challenges. As a non-English speaker, school was often harder for her than for other students. However, her persistence paid off. Lorena eventually graduated from UMass Amherst and later earned a master's in communications and marketing at Emerson College. Today, she's an accomplished bilingual writer, editor, and storyteller.

Maria Arredondo felt the same drive as her daughter, Lorena. After moving to the United States, Maria enrolled in a healthcare certificate program for English learners at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC). It opened the door to a meaningful healthcare career that lasted more than 30 years.

Years later, Lorena and her Stellar colleagues co-facilitated a storytelling training for student leaders at her mother's alma mater.

The "Power of Your Story" program showed students how storytelling contributes to education and career advancement. As Lorena explained, your resume may get you an interview, but it's the quality of your stories that can lead to college acceptance, an internship, or a job.

Paul Moda, director of the BHCC student leadership office, routinely encourages students not to underestimate the power of their stories.

"Every day, our students balance more challenges in and outside of school than many college students," says Moda. "I appreciate that Stellar shares our perspective that their experiences can translate into incredible stories of resilience and talent."

As an immigrant and woman of color, Lorena was pleased that the program resonated.

"It took me a long time to believe my voice and stories were worthy," recalls Lorena. "When I started to share them, I discovered a new confidence and purpose. At Stellar, we want to help students experience a similar transformation."

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